Lynva Russell - Policy Connect

For more from Policy Connect, also read our interview with Barry Sheerman.

Question: Can you explain the work of Policy Connect?

Lynva Russell: Policy Connect was established to provide a platform for dialogue between Parliament and industry. This involves management of a number of parliamentary groups and policy forums.

These are established to facilitate discussion and to identify areas where policy change is needed and highlight these. Relevant research helps to inform these debates and is carried out as appropriate.

Question: Previously NFI, why the change?

Lynva Russell: The organisation has changed since its conception 14 years ago. Policy Connect is a more appropriate name for our current work and aspirations.

Question: How does Policy Connect identify itself, given that it is made up of a number of policy forums?

Lynva Russell: Historically, NFI has not had an identity of its own. Launching Policy Connect creates an opportunity to bring together the individual forums more systematically and develop that identity.

Policy Connect is unique in the manner in which it bridges Parliament, government and industry as a non-profit-making service organisation and one that is highly transparent.

Through its structure it can operate in a broad range of sectors, whilst ensuring consistency of quality and approach. Where appropriate - when there is overlap of issues - collaboration is encouraged through networking and joint projects, which brings us back full circle to the name of Policy Connect.

Question: What will be Policy Connect’s most pressing issue in 2008?

Lynva Russell: Policy Connect provides a facility for its members – both parliamentarians and corporate partners. Providing a good service, a broad range of relevant and timely meetings and ensuring individual projects are driven to completion will remain our priority. The subject of this work will be determined by our members and by the parliamentary officers of the groups.

Question: Why is debate so critical between the business sector and government? What does it achieve?

Lynva Russell: Good communication and understanding is essential in any relationship. This is provided and enhanced by debate. Policy Connect facilitates debate between business and government in an effective and open manner.

Question: What are the most successful forums to date and why?

Lynva Russell: The groups are all individual, with different structures and priorities. It is impossible to compare them in terms of success.

The variety of areas in which we are involved can in part be exemplified by the following projects which have been completed or are ongoing:

• Development and implementation of seminar series looking at future challenges to the NHS, including the impact of new technologies, chronic disease management and future management of the NHS.

• Publication of a new Pain Manifesto in the House of Commons focusing on key areas for effective and achievable solutions to pain management.

• Publication of three research papers on skills policy following a consultation within Parliament, business and the skills sector.

• Conducting a high-level inquiry into information, advice and guidance services.

• Instigating and running a programme focusing on the opportunities and barriers to whole life costing methods in government procurement.

• Conducting a research project to explore how policies and regulation are driving change in construction and from that the issue around the demand for skills in sustainable construction.

• Researching the relationships between design, business and government to inform future policy (supported by a Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 research grant).

• Facilitating an annual design workshop series working with the Design Council to show MPs how to use design more effectively.

• Instigating a parliamentary pledge against fly tipping for MPs to raise awareness in their constituencies (in partnership with the Environment Agency).

• Evaluation of environmental and financial benefits from an integrated approach of energy and waste reduction provision.

All of this is in addition to a full calendar of parliamentary events of which 96 have been arranged in the past 12 months, as well as over 250 members’ newsletters.

Question: Do you feel government really listens to business?

Lynva Russell: Yes, there are many examples where industry and business have an opportunity to have dialogue with ministers and those advising them.

Obviously, the success of that dialogue for the business concerned depends on whether they are pleased with the eventual outcome.

An example from healthcare has been the establishment of the Health Industry Taskforce – a cross ministerial business working group which is working to develop a stronger medical technology base in the UK. A similar approach may be appropriate following the work we have done with the Chronic Pain Policy Coalition.

Question: Is strong business influence on government healthy?

Lynva Russell: Most definitely, just as an equally strong influence is healthy from other parties, trade unions, the professions and consumers.

One function of Policy Connect is to encourage and enable all interested parties to communicate with parliamentarians and feed into government policy.

It is then up to ministers and their advisors to judge the strength and appropriateness of each message when developing policy and legislation