Last week in Liverpool, UKspace, alongside Satellite Applications Catapult, hosted a series of high-impact fringe events at the Labour Party Conference, bringing together parliamentarians, industry leaders and innovators to put space firmly on the political agenda.
Across three panels, we explored how the UK can unlock growth, resilience and international competitiveness in one of the most dynamic and strategically important sectors of our economy.
Advanced Manufacturing Among the Stars
We kicked off with a discussion on how the Modern Industrial Strategy 2035 can deliver growth and sovereign capability. Key takeaways from the panel were:
- Partnership between government, academia and industry is critical.
- The UK must be bold in embracing risk and innovation, particularly in ISAM (in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing).
- Building a full value chain for national security and commercial growth is essential.
As Kevin Bonavia MP, from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Space, put it: “We must speak up for space.”
National Security Beyond Earth
Our second session focused on the contested space domain and the need for sovereign capability. Highlights included the need for:
- A whole-system approach across civil and military space.
- Long-term stability through strategic investment and international partnerships.
- Strengthening the UK supply chain to deliver today as well as prepare for tomorrow.
Tan Dhesi MP, Chair of the Defence Select Committee, summed it up: “We need to work with our allies…but we also need to think about our own sovereign capability.”
Scaling the Heights
Our final panel looked at accelerating the growth of the UK’s thriving space economy. Themes included:
- SMEs as the backbone of our sector, but facing barriers in procurement and programme access.
- The power of clusters and place-based growth – collaboration, not competition.
- Universities as vital partners in innovation and skills development.
- The importance of clear communication between government and industry to unlock opportunity.
John Abbott, CEO of Satellite Applications Catapult, reminded us: “The businesses asking ‘what problem are we solving for our customers?’ are the ones with the greatest potential.”
Reflections
This was more than a set of fringe events – it was a powerful statement of what space can do for the UK. From advanced manufacturing to national security, from SMEs to global partnerships, the conversations showed how space underpins our economy, resilience and future prosperity.
We were proud to see strong engagement from MPs, policy advisers and industry experts. Many remarked on the energy and positivity of the space discussions. It’s clear that space offers not only technological opportunity, but also optimism for the UK’s industrial future.
“We were pleased to be part of the first space delegation at Labour Party Conference,” said Airbus UK Senior Vice President, Oriel Petry. “Thanks to UKspace for cohering the sector to advocate with one powerful voice. As the UK’s sovereign space prime, delivering Military Satellite Communications (SKYNET), Airbus was pleased to contribute to the panel discussing national resilience in space.
“We were pleased to sit alongside partners in the space ecosystem, such as Astroscale, to be able to amplify the importance of partnership in the space sector – both between Primes and SMEs to drive innovation, and between industry and Government for focus and clarity – to continue delivering world-leading capabilities from the UK.”
Viasat’s Director of Sovereign Space Programmes, Sophie Bywater, added: “Space, the opportunities are infinite, but the resources are finite, and we must act now to protect and defend.”
What’s Next?
The week reinforced a vital truth: we must match vision with delivery. That means:
- Costed, cross-government strategies that endure across political cycles.
- A focus on workforce and skills to sustain long-term growth.
- Clearer articulation of what space delivers for the UK, from national security to climate resilience.
Thank you to all our speakers, chairs and members who joined us at #UKspaceAtLabour. We’ll be back next year, building on this momentum with even more evidence, focus and growth stories to share.
Space is not just an industry of the future – it is shaping our economy, security, and society today. Together, let’s make sure the UK leads the way.
