Speaking at the Blockchain Alternative Investment Conference Grant Shapps MP said he had set up an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) because there had been little engagement by the UK Government or MPs with the subject.

Ironically Shapps added that while in 2010 in the previous administration David Cameron had spoken publicly on subjects such as IoT, the current government was “too busy with Brexit” to have time to focus on such weighty matters!

While Shapp's APPG on Blockchain holds meetings which cover a comprehensive range of topics for evidence gathering, from my perspective what’s missing is a review of the importance of blockchain to the telecom sector. Indeed at the recent AI event CogX while British Telecom was showing off its impressive cybersecurity solutions, there was no mention of blockchain-related innovation.

In comparison during a recent trip to the Republic of Kazakhstan I discovered a joined-up blockchain-led strategy including key players ranging from the Astana International Financial Centre to Kazakhstan Telecom. Hopefully I'll get chance to mention it in the more informal setting of the APPG’s forthcoming summer reception!