This month, the Young Fabians Communications, Economy and Finance, and Health Networks, are continuing with a series of dialogues looking at the effects of coronavirus on these three key policy areas.

Register here to to receive the Zoom ID and password, and gain access.

Please note that this event may be recorded for the Young Fabians' podcast or YouTube channel.

As the virus continues begins to bite hard, we look at how the UK government attempts to strike a balance between the existing lockdown and a return to ‘normalcy’.

Continuing the series on 19 May 2020, this triumvirate of networks will look at the lockdown and its easing from three angles. 

Communications: How has the UK government communicated the lockdown measures? How should they go about communicating the easing of these measures and what roles can the media play? 

Economy and Finance: What do UK small businesses think about the lockdown and our paths towards returning to normalcy? What does ‘normalcy’ look like in China, one of the first countries to ease the lockdown? 

Health: What impacts has the lockdown had on public health as well as poverty, housing and regional inequality? How and when should the lockdown be removed, in light of health priorities?

Join us as we talk to experts across the three areas: 

Deborah Mattinson

Founding Partner, BritainThinks

Deborah has more than 25 years’ of experience advising clients including MNCs, charities and governments.

Before co-founding BritainThinks, she jointly ran the Chime Research and Engagement Division. She was also pollster to Gordon Brown in his roles as Chancellor and PM.

One of UK's leading commentators on public opinion, Deborah frequently writes and broadcasts about the mood of the nation. In 2010, she published Talking to a Brick Wall. Deborah is also Chair of Young Women’s Trust, supporting young women in Britain on low or no pay.

Dr Paul Williams

Teeside GP and Candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland, 2021

Former Stockton South MP

Dr Paul Williams has strong background in health and public policy.

He was a GP partner in Stockton and also CEO of Hartlepool and Stockton Health GP Federation. He had also worked on a program to improve healthcare access in Uganda.

Dr Paul Williams was Stockton South MP from 2017 to 2019. He joined the Health Select Committee and led its inquiry into health in the first 1,000 days of life. He also championed health causes including Autism Diagnosis and post natal GP check for new mothers.

Timothy Skyes

English Teacher in China

Former Vice-Chair of Cambridge CLP (2017)

Tim has been a Fabian Society member since 2010. He was the vice chair of Cambridge CLP in 2017. He has been living and working as an English teacher in China since 2018.

Matt Dickinson

Senior Media & Communications Advisor at Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)

Matt is a Senior Advisor to the FSB with a focus on finance, tax and employment issues. Before working for FSB, Matt was part of  a small communications consultancy, having previously worked with the UK's largest real estate developer. He is also Communications Officer on the YF National Executive and a campaigns officer within his local Labour CLP.

Amanda Chetwynd-Cowieson

British Youth Council Chair