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The Labour government will have been in power for nearly two months by the time parliament returns on 2 September. We have already seen a King’s Speech, a major statement on the public finances, an overhaul of the planning system, big plans for clean power – and more. So what have we learned since Keir Starmer became prime minister – and what comes next for government and British politics?   Ministers – and opposition MPs – are braced for busy couple of months ahead. What legislation is coming down the track in parliament? How significant is Rachel Reeves’ upcoming budget? Is there more clarity about mission-led government and how the prime minister wants his No.10 to work? How is the Conservative Party leadership contest progressing? And how significant will the party conference season be for Keir Starmer, Rishi Sunak and Ed Davey?   To discuss these questions and more, this Institute for Government webinar brought together an expert panel featuring:   Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow the Institute for Government Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government Giles Wilkes, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government   The event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A daunting public services to-do list awaits Keir Starmer and his newly elected Labour government. Most services are performing worse than on the eve of the pandemic and substantially worse than in 2010, but future funding is set to be tight. Ministers will need to make best use of existing budgets and carefully choose targets for any additional investment. So what are the most pressing public services issues facing the new government? What will happen to service performance if Labour sticks to existing spending plans? How can services be improved without substantial spending increases? And where should any extra funding be prioritised? To discuss these questions, and a new Institute for Government and Nuffield Foundation report on the topic, this event brought together an expert panel featuring: Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government Sam Freedman, Author of Failed State: Why Nothing Works and How We Fix It Patricia Hewitt, Chair of Norfolk & Waveney NHS and former Secretary of State for Health The event was chaired by Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With attention focused on politicians, and politicians focused on winning votes, a general election campaign is an unusual time for civil servants. Their top priority remains serving the government of the day, but they must also prepare for a potential transition of power, and be ready to work with whoever forms the next government.  Civil service activity is also restricted during the formal ‘pre-election period’, with civil service impartiality protected by government guidance and measures to stop public funds being used for campaigning purposes. So how should civil servants navigate this period of heightened political sensitivity? How does the work of the civil service change in the campaign? And what can civil servants do to prepare for a potential transition of power? Ahead of the general election on 4 July, this IfG webinar explored all these questions and more, and asked what lessons can be learned from previous election campaigns and past transitions of power. To discuss these questions and more, we were joined by: Sir David Bell KCB DL, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sunderland and former Permanent Secretary Catherine Haddon, Programme Director at the Institute for Government Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government and former senior civil servant The event was chaired by Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow, Institute for Government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Theresa May’s chief of staff from 2017 to 2019, Gavin Barwell had a front row seat for the Brexit dramas, deals and deadlines that defined May’s premiership. Brought into Number 10 after May lost her majority at the 2017 general election, Barwell battled alongside the former prime minister through meaningful votes, cabinet resignations and moments of high parliamentary drama. But what exactly does a chief of staff do? What lessons should be learnt from May’s time in Number 10? And just how dysfunctional is the centre of power? To mark the publication of Chief of Staff: Notes from Downing Street, Gavin Barwell was in conversation with the Institute for Government’s Dr Catherine Haddon. #IFGBarwell   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the World Health Organization’s Special Envoy on Covid-19, Dr David Nabarro has played a leading role in the international response to the pandemic. In conversation with Bronwen Maddox, Director of the Institute for Government, he will discuss the international community’s handling of the crisis – from the initial outbreak in early 2020, to public health measures used to curb transmission, to current vaccination programmes. As the international vaccine rollout continues, but with high numbers of Covid-19 cases across the world, Professor Nabarro will also set out how countries can best manage this phase of the pandemic – and what needs to be done to ensure we are better prepared in the future. David Nabarro is co-director and chair of Global Health at Imperial College London’s Institute of Global Health Innovation and strategic director of 4SD. In March 2020 he was appointed Special Envoy of WHO Director-General on Covid-19. He has over 40 years of experience in international public health as a community-based practitioner, educator, public servant, director and diplomat. He was awarded Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for work on international public health in 1992. #IfGNabarro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With a week to go until Rishi Sunak sets out his multi-year spending review, the chancellor faces difficult decisions about how to fund public services. The pandemic has hit services hard. Children have lost hours of learning, waiting times for court cases are longer, and a backlog for operations has built up. So what spending choices must Sunak make? What is the pandemic’s impact on spending, staff, and service performance? And where might pressures intensify in the next three years? As the Institute for Government and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy launch the sixth edition of Performance Tracker – a data-driven analysis of the performance of key public services in England, including prisons, hospitals, schools, police and adult social care – its lead author Graham Atkins, Associate Director at the Institute for Government, presented the key findings. To discuss, our panel included: Justine Greening, former Secretary of State for Education and former Economic Secretary to the Treasury Anoosh Chakelian, Britain Editor at the New Statesman Mike Driver CB, President of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) The event was chaired by Dr Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government, with an introduction by Jeffrey Matsu, Chief Economist at CIPFA. #PerformanceTracker We would like to thank the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) for supporting this event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With just over a week to go until COP26, the government has published three big climate reports. So what do we now know about the government’s strategy for hitting its net zero target? Does the plan stack up? Has the Treasury revealed how to pay for it? And were these documents worth the wait?   In a bonus IfG podcast, Tom Sasse is joined by Jill Rutter, Will McDowall and guest James Murray of Business Green to make sense of 2000 pages of net zero plans and pathways, targets and taxes.   Audio Production by Candice McKenzie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s been a rocky year for Northern Ireland politics. Against a backdrop of worsening relationships, the Executive has had to cope with the pandemic, the protocol and the legacy of three years without Ministers.   The future of the Northern Ireland protocol hangs in the balance. The EU response to the UK’s proposals for major changes to the Withdrawal Agreement will be the start of an intense period of negotiations. The stakes are high with the UK governments threat to take unilateral measures on the protocol looms large, alongside the DUP’s threat to bring down the Northern Ireland Assembly.   Deal or no deal, the Northern Ireland Assembly is heading for an election in May 2022, if not before. This podcast will explore the view from Northern Ireland – can the UK and EU reach agreement before the end of the year? Will the Assembly survive until May? What are each parties’ prospects? What other challenges will the Executive be facing in the next six months?   To answer these questions the Institute for Government brought together an expert panel for a special IfG Live podcast.   Dr Clare Rice, researcher and writer on NI politics Prof John Tonge, British and Irish politics professor at the University of Liverpool Aoife Moore, Political Correspondent for the Irish Examiner Alex Kane, Columnist and commentator   Presented by Jess Sargeant, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government   Audio Production by Candice McKenzie See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hitting the UK’s net zero target depends on the transformation of the UK’s cities. Many had already declared climate emergencies and set ambitious emissions targets before the pandemic, while big changes in the last 18 months – less commuting, more walking and cycling – have had big implications for urban areas. But to help people permanently shift to low-carbon lifestyles requires local leaders to develop long-term approaches to infrastructure, taxes and regulations. What needs to be done to ensure long-term transformation? Which pandemic-enforced changes should remain in place? How can cities and central government work together to make progress towards net zero? On our panel to discuss these questions: Baroness Blake of Leeds, Shadow Spokesperson for Housing, Communities and Local Government and former Leader of Leeds City Council Professor Hayley Fowler, Professor of Climate Change Impacts in the School of Engineering at Newcastle University Christopher Hammond, Network Membership Director, UK100 Steve Turner, Director, Devolved and Local Government at Connected Places Catapult The event was chaired by Tom Sasse, Associate Director at the Institute for Government, with opening remarks by Giles Clifford, Partner at Gowling WLG. #IfGnetzero We would like to thank Gowling WLG for supporting this event. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Departmental boards were introduced to bring private sector oversight into central government departments. But how are people appointed as departmental non-executive directors? What experience do they bring? And what advice do they give to ministers? A recent Institute for Government report exposed how the system lacks transparency and is inconsistently applied. Ministers can appoint non-executive directors without due process, and the influence of a department’s board depends on whether a minister chooses to engage with it or not. So what can be done to make more use of board members’ expertise? What changes could help boards to improve departmental performance? What can be done to improve the transparency of board appointments? To discuss these questions, the Institute for Government was delighted to bring together an expert panel: Sue Langley, lead non-executive director for the Home Office and former interim government lead non-executive Sir David Lidington, former Secretary of State for Justice, Leader of the House of Commons and Minister for the Cabinet Office Dame Una O’Brien, former Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health Miranda Curtis, Director at Liberty Global and former lead non-executive director for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office The event was chaired by Dr Matthew Gill, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government. #IfGBoards See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What is Great British Railways? How will it end rail industry fragmentation? And how can it deliver a rail network that works for customers, taxpayers, politicians, and the wider public? The new organisation is at the heart of the William-Shapps Plan for Rail, which reported in May. Keith Williams, Chair of the Review, describes the British railway network as a “complex Rubik’s cube” and says Great British Railways should be a central ‘guiding mind’ in a reformed rail system. This event explored how to make a reformed rail network work for Great Britain’s long-term post-pandemic future, drawing on lessons from previous attempts at reshaping the rail industry and experiences of setting up arms-length bodies elsewhere. Our panel: Keith Williams, independent Chair of the Williams Review The Rt Hon. the Lord Darling of Roulanish, former Secretary of State for Transport and former Chancellor of the Exchequer Maria Machancoses, CEO of Midlands Connect Andy Bagnall, Director General of the Rail Delivery Group The event was chaired by Dr Matthew Gill, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government. #IfGRail We are grateful to The Rail Delivery Group for their support with this event. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The pandemic has hit public services hard, creating backlogs - from children missing out on school lessons, to cancelled hospital operations and unheard court cases – and leaving local authorities facing budget shortfalls. But as the government focuses on post-pandemic economic recovery, its priority is to ‘level up’ parts of the country which have fallen behind in terms of economic growth, opportunity, and wellbeing. With limited resources, how can public services both address backlogs and ‘level up’? Has the pandemic made levelling up harder for public services? How, if at all, can public services contribute to levelling up? What should the government do to help them both catch-up and level-up? To discuss these questions and more, the IfG was delighted to host an expert panel including: Baroness Armstrong, Chair of the House of Lords Public Services Committee Saffron Cordery, Deputy Chief Executive of NHS Providers Georgina Cox, Partner at PA Consulting Rachel Wolf, Founding Partner at Public First and former Education and Innovation Adviser to David Cameron. The event was chaired by Graham Atkins, Associate Director at the Institute for Government. #IfGpublicservices We would like to thank PA Consulting for kindly supporting this event. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Decarbonising homes will be among the most difficult elements of reaching net zero. Homes account for 15% of the UK’s total emissions, yet there has been little progress towards reducing these over the past decade. Confidence has been damaged by repeated U-turns and policy failures, including the Green Deal and the Green Homes Grant. Achieving net zero by 2050 will require a huge national programme to deliver the infrastructure needed to reduce residential emissions – retrofitting homes, installing heat pumps and developing local heat networks. The government, businesses and consumers all have key roles to play. But how should the government approach policy making in this area? Will the long overdue Heat and Buildings Strategy be worth the wait and offer a clear plan? How can previous policy failures be learnt from? And how can we ensure the UK’s infrastructure is ready to support zero-emission homes? On our panel to discuss these issues were: Lord Callanan, Minister for Business, Energy & Corporate Responsibility at BEIS Chris Burchell, Managing Director, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution Gillian Cooper, Head of Energy Policy at Citizens Advice Guy Newey, Director of Strategy and Performance at the Energy Systems Catapult This event was chaired by Marcus Shepheard, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government. #IfGnetzero We would like to thank Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution for supporting this event. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Rt Hon David Lammy MP set out how a foreign policy lens of ‘progressive realism’ might affect the practice of diplomacy, should Labour win the election. The discussion covered the evolution of the Foreign Office as an institution, under both Labour and Conservative governments. It focused in particular on the balance between traditional diplomatic activity and the new demands created by climate change, global health challenges and the regulation of emerging technologies.   The Shadow Foreign Secretary also explored the convergence between domestic economic and foreign policy and its implications for how Labour's mission-driven approach would shape how Whitehall works on international issues. Following his speech, David Lammy was in conversation with Dr Hannah White, Director of the Institute for Government, and took questions from the audience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From closed schools to postponed exams, isolating teachers to bursting classroom bubbles, the last 18 months of education has been massively disrupted by the Covid-19 crisis. What can be done to help those students that have fallen behind? How can the gaps in attainment be bridged? And what lessons has lockdown taught us about education? To discuss the challenges facing the education system in the next phase of the pandemic and Ofsted's role in the new academic year and beyond, Amanda Spielman, the Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills, was in conversation with Bronwen Maddox, Director of the Institute for Government. Amanda Spielman has been Ofsted Chief Inspector since January 2017. Between 2011 and 2016, she was chair of Ofqual, the qualifications regulator. From 2005 she was a founding member of the leadership team at the academy chain Ark Schools. Previously she worked at KPMG, Kleinwort Benson, Mercer Management Consulting and Nomura International. #IfGOfsted See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From disrupted supply chains to a shortage of lorry drivers, Brexit and Covid have combined to cause major problems at the UK border. Nando’s, McDonald’s and the Co-op are just three of the firms to have been affected. As pandemic-related travel problems continue, the true impact of post-Brexit border rules has yet to hit. Full border checks on EU imports to Great Britain will only come into effect later this year, while extensive controls on goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland may be introduced in the autumn. Businesses and individuals are currently left in limbo as negotiations between the UK and EU continue over how the Northern Ireland protocol will operate long-term. Will border disruption worsen as the year goes on? How ready are business and government for the introduction of new controls? Is the UK’s new immigration to blame for staffing issues? And what more can done to solve existing problems and prepare for further changes. To discuss these issues, we were joined by an expert panel: William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce Elly Darkin, Senior Associate at Global Counsel Julian Jessop, Economics Fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs Ian Wright, Chief Executive of the Food and Drink Federation. The event was chaired by Joe Marshall, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government. #IfGBrexit See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The pandemic has exposed weaknesses in the way Britain supports its poorest families – and also strengths. What should the government learn from the last 18 months and what opportunities for reform can it seize? The Second World War led to the Beveridge report and the creation of the welfare state and the NHS; can the pandemic also galvanise radical change? An adviser to successive governments, most recently as the chair of the government’s Covid-19 rough sleeping taskforce, Baroness Casey is now calling for major reform in the way governments tackle hunger, rough sleeping and poverty. She was in conversation with Bronwen Maddox, Director of the Institute for Government Baroness Casey has previously run the Rough Sleepers Unit, the Respect Task Force and the Troubled Families Unit. She also chaired this government’s Covid-19 rough sleeping taskforce. #IfGCasey See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As one of the UK’s top epidemiologists and the head of the influential modelling group at Imperial College London, Neil Ferguson has played a critical role in providing advice during the Covid-19 crisis, as well as previous crises including foot and mouth. In conversation with Bronwen Maddox, Director of the Institute for Government, Professor Ferguson discussed the lessons he has learned about advising government, the role of scientific modelling in informing decision making and how scientists should communicate with the public. He also assessed the latest Covid-19 data, and what measures may need to be taken in the weeks and months ahead. Professor Neil Ferguson is head of the Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology in the School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Climate change is already devastating lives and livelihoods every year. With heatwaves, floods, wildfires and other extreme weather events becoming more common in the UK and around the world, all countries need to adapt and build resilience. So as the UK prepares to host COP26, the UK presidency has placed climate adaptation at the heart of its agenda. COP26 is a huge opportunity for the UK. How can the UK government show leadership on climate adaptation, both internationally and domestically? How can countries provide support for people most vulnerable to the effects of climate change? What role can early warning systems play and how can this help inform approaches by policy makers and donors? And how can the UK both learn from other countries facing climate risks and share the lessons of its own experiences? This panel event brings together experts from the UK and overseas to consider these and other questions: Richard Blewitt, Executive Director International at British Red Cross Rt Hon Baroness Brown, (Professor Dame Julia King), Chair of the Climate Change Adaptation Committee and Chair of the Carbon Trust Dr Jane Strachan, Head of International Applied Science at the Met Office H.E. Ms Saida Muna Tasneem, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to the UK The event is chaired by Marcus Shepheard, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government. #IfGClimate We would like to thank the British Red Cross and the Met Office for kindly supporting this event. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Brexit negotiations demonstrated long-standing weaknesses in parliament’s ability to scrutinise trade negotiations and international treaties – with much of the May government’s time spent managing attempts by parliamentarians to enhance their role. In light of the government’s post-Brexit ambition to conclude new trade deals with countries around the world, this panel examined how parliament currently scrutinises international treaties and what more parliamentarians should do to ensure effective scrutiny. To discuss these issues, we were joined by: Jill Barrett, Associate Member 6 Pump Court, International Law Consultant and former Foreign Office legal adviser Mark Garnier MP, Member of the House of Commons International Trade Committee and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department of Trade, 2016–18 Professor Holger Hestermeyer, Professor of International and EU law at King’s College London Alex Horne, Counsel at Hackett and Dabbs LLP and Special Adviser to the House of Lords International Agreements Committee The event was chaired by Maddy Thimont Jack, Associate Director at the Institute for Government. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Membership of the EU meant that the UK had not had its own independent trade policy for more than 40 years. In one of her first acts as prime minister, Theresa May established the Department for International Trade to take on this function. This panel looked back at how department was established, how effective it has been in developing the UK’s skills and approach to international trade policy, and what more needs to be done to make the UK the big player in international trade it aspires to be. To discuss these issues, we were joined by: John Alty, Interim Permanent Secretary at the Department for International Trade Dr Lorand Bartels, Reader in International Law at the University of Cambridge and Counsel at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP Sam Lowe, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for European Reform Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government #IfGtrade See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sir Jeremy Farrar has been at the heart of the global fight against Covid-19. As head of one the world’s most influential medical research charities and a leading member of SAGE, he has played a decisive role as complex decisions were taken to meet the rapidly-evolving threat of the pandemic. Sir Jeremy discussed his new book, Spike – The Virus v The People: The Inside Story, with Bronwen Maddox, Director of the Institute for Government. The book, co- authored with the Financial Times science columnist, Anjana Ahuja, sets out his reflections on the extraordinary last 18 months and puts forward his ideas on how the world can be better prepared to tackle future threats. #IfGFarrar We would like to thank Wellcome Trust for kindly supporting this event, which follows a joint project on how policy makers should tackle Covid-19 over the long term. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As part of a new series of events on the future of devolution and the Union, the Institute for Government was delighted to welcome The Rt Hon Mark Drakeford, Welsh Labour leader and First Minister of Wales. After setting out his vision for devolution and reforming the Union, based on the Welsh government paper, Reforming Our Union: Shared Governance in the UK 2nd Edition, the First Minister was in conversation with Akash Paun, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government. The First Minister discussed the state of relations between Westminster and Cardiff, the scope for changes to the powers and funding of the Welsh government, the case for reform of the House of Lords, and what needs to be done to create a new culture of shared governance between UK and devolved administrations. #IfGDevo See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In our report Taking back control of trade policy, the Institute argued that the government needed a clear trade strategy. So far, the government’s main goal appears to be to strike as many deals as it can. But recent disagreements in cabinet over whether to open UK markets to Australian agricultural produce, and whether UK farmers will be able to compete, suggest that the government is still struggling to make the necessary trade-offs. This panel examined whether the UK has a trade policy, and if so, what it hopes to achieve. To discuss these issues, we were joined by: Martin Bell, Deputy Director of Trade at the Scotch Whisky Association Anna Isaac, Incoming Economics Editor at The Independent Graham Stuart MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Exports) at the Department for International Trade Emily Thornberry MP, Shadow International Trade Secretary Nick von Westenholz, Director of Trade and Business Strategy at the National Farmers Union The event was chaired by James Kane, Associate at the Institute for Government. #IfGtrade See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Institute for Government welcomed Lucy Powell MP, the Shadow Leader of the Commons, to give a keynote speech on how a Labour government would approach parliament, the legislative process, and the role of MPs. With Westminster hit by a series of scandals in recent years, what can be done to restore parliament's image? How can the legislative process be improved? And how would Labour, if elected, approach the way that MPs work in parliament? Following her speech, Lucy Powell was in conversation with Dr Hannah White, Director of the Institute for Government. She then took part in an audience Q&A. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The COP26 climate change summit in November is approaching fast – but where is the plan for the UK to meet its pledge to hit net zero by 2050 or to reduce emissions by 78% by 2035? The government has yet to say what it will do – or who it expects to pay for the its plan to drive down emissions. How should costs be distributed between taxpayers, consumers and businesses? Where should the burden fall between current and future generations? To debate how to pay for net zero and ensure the UK tackles climate change in a way that maintains public support, the Institute for Government brought together an expert panel for a special IfG Live podcast.   Bim Afolami, Conservative MP for Hitchin and Harpenden Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath Paul Johnson, Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies James Meadway, Director of the Progressive Economy Forum Presented by Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government   Audio Production by Candice McKenzie See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The current government has close ties to Australia, with Australian campaign strategists such as Sir Lynton Crosby and Isaac Levido both having led successful election campaigns for the Conservatives in recent years, and the new trade deal between the UK and Australia agreed in principle in June 2021. British politicians also like to point to Australia as an example of policy models to follow – from an ‘Australian-style’ immigration system to the prospect of an ‘Australian-style’ deal with the European Union. This event brought together an expert panel to discuss why Australia has so captured the government’s imagination, what the UK is learning from Australia, whether the ‘Australia-style’ label glosses over important differences between the UK and Australia, and also whether there are any Australian policy successes that aren’t yet part of the political debate in the UK. Our panel: James Starkie, Founding Partner at 5654 & Company and former Chief of Staff to Priti Patel Marc Stears, Director of the Sydney Policy Lab and former Chief Speechwriter to the Labour Party Laura Tingle, Journalist and Chief Political Correspondent at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation John McTernan, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government and former Director of Political Operations for Tony Blair and for Director of Communications for Julia Gillard The was chaired by Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government. #IfGAus We are grateful to Nous for their support with this event See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The G7 in Cornwall was a big opportunity for Boris Johnson to set out his vision for Global Britain. On the agenda was famine prevention, girls’ education, tackling climate change and, of course, recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic. But the summit also took place against the backdrop of criticism, at home and abroad, of the government’s decision to cut the UK’s foreign aid budget. To assess how much the summit achieved and to discuss what needs to happen next for the UK to reach its global ambitions and priorities, and how it can be a force for global good, the Institute for Government was delighted to bring together the following expert panel: Mike Adamson, Chief Executive of the British Red Cross The Rt Hon Baroness Amos, Master of University College, Oxford and former UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator and former Secretary of State for International Development Tobias Ellwood MP, Chair of the Defence Select Committee Laila Johnson-Salami, Journalist at Arise TV and Founding Member of Feminist Coalition The event was be chaired by Tim Durrant, Associate Director at the Institute for Government. #IfGG7 We would like to thank British Red Cross for kindly supporting this event. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Announcing the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the prime minister declared that “we have taken back control of every jot and tittle of our regulation”. Regaining regulatory autonomy was a key UK objective in the negotiations. The question now is what the government wants to do with it. There is no shortage of ideas about how the government could regulate differently outside the EU. The taskforce set up by the prime minister to identify post-Brexit opportunities has made much of the ability to change regulation to better reflect the needs of the UK economy and promote innovation, and recommended reform in areas like financial services and life sciences. The government is now launching a search to find a director for its Brexit Opportunities Unit to "develop a cross-government strategy for regulatory change, while driving policy development on new opportunities across Whitehall." As our recent report, Taking back control of regulation, shows, doing things differently from the EU presents opportunities, but also brings potential costs and risks. To discuss how the government should think about regulation after Brexit, we brought together a panel representing a range of views: Bernardine Adkins, Partner, Head of EU, Trade and Competition at Gowling WLG John Foster, Interim Director of Policy and Communications at the Confederation of British Industry Joe Marshall, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government Iain Martin, Columnist for The Times The event was chaired by Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government. #IfGBrexit We are grateful to Gowling WLG for their support with this event See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On his final day as Chief Economist at the Bank of England, the Institute for Government was delighted to welcome Andy Haldane. After seven years in this position, and as a member of the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee, he discussed with Bronwen Maddox, Director of the IfG, his more than 30 years at the Bank of England and reflect on some of the big economic events he has witnessed during that time and the lessons he draws from those experiences. Read Andy Haldane's speech: Thirty years of hurt, never stopped me dreaming #IfGEconomy See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The prime minister says a "green recovery” will be at the heart of the UK's post-pandemic comeback. But his government has so far set out less ambitious measures than some other countries and it cancelled its flagship scheme, the Green Homes Grant, after six months due to low take up. With the UK hosting the COP26 climate conference in November, this panel discussed what combination of policies, public and private investment and skills programmes will be needed to turn the government's vision of a green recovery into reality. On our panel were: Josh Buckland, Director at Flint Global and former Energy Adviser to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Sam Fankhauser, Professor of Climate Change Economics and Policy at the University of Oxford Rosa Hodgkin, Researcher at the Institute for Government Bridget Rosewell, Commissioner for the National Infrastructure Commission Catherine McGuinness, Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee at the City of London Corporation, made the opening remarks. The event was chaired by Dr Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government. #IfGnetzero We would like to thank the City of London Corporation for kindly supporting this event. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The vote to leave the European Union on 23 June 2016 marked the start of a tumultuous period in British politics. The government was set on a collision course with parliament over what Brexit really meant. The civil service began to untangle 43 years of EU membership, building up new capabilities and preparing for new responsibilities. And the Brexit effect placed the United Kingdom under huge strain – with growing support for independence in Scotland and a new border in the Irish Sea. What impact has the referendum had on the governance of the UK? Has control really returned to parliament, or to the government? And what does Brexit mean for the future of the union? To mark five years since the end of the referendum, the Institute for Government brought together people who were either involved in, or had front-row seats to, this remarkable period in British politics. On the panel were: Katy Balls, Deputy Political Editor at The Spectator Luke Graham, former MP for Ochil and South Perthshire, 2017-19, and former head of the Union Unit in No.10 Lord McDonald of Salford, former Permanent Under Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 2015-20 Lisa O’Carroll, Brexit Correspondent at The Guardian The event was chaired by Maddy Thimont Jack, Associate Director at the Institute for Government. #IfGBrexit See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join the Institute for Government Brexit team for a canter through the five years since the Referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU took place. Who was a better negotiator, Theresa May or Boris Johnson? Was the Civil Service ready for the task of delivering Brexit? Has Parliament recovered from all the rebellions and procedural high-jinks? And what will Brexit really mean for the future of the United Kingdom?   Join the IfG’s Jill Rutter, Maddy Thimont-Jack, Jess Sargeant and Joe Marshall – along with some intriguing predictions from the IfG audio archives – to get the Brexit podcast done. Presented by Sam Macrory   Audio Production by Candice McKenzie See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Since the 2019 General Election, “levelling up” has been the Government’s go-to slogan. The Queen’s Speech set out an ambition to “level up opportunities across all parts of the UK”, the Chancellor unveiled a levelling up fund, the PM appointed a levelling up adviser, and the promise to level up featured heavily during the recent Hartlepool by-election. But what does levelling up actually mean? How does the Government intend to turn this slogan into reality? How can voters judge the success – or not – of the levelling up agenda at the next election? The Institute for Government is delighted to bring together an expert panel to discuss past efforts at distributing investment, creating job opportunities and increasing productivity, and to assess whether Boris Johnson’s levelling up agenda will see the Conservatives hold on to electoral gains in the so-called Red Wall constituencies. On the panel are: John Godfrey, Corporate Affairs Director at Legal & General and former Head of Policy at No.10 (2016–17) Lord Mandelson, Chairman of Global Counsel and former European Commissioner for Trade and MP for Hartlepool (1992–2004) Giles Wilkes, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government and former Special Adviser to Theresa May Rachel Wolf, Founding Partner at Public First and former Education and Innovation Adviser to David Cameron The event is chaired by Bronwen Maddox, Director of the Institute for Government. #IfGlevellingup We would like to thank Legal & General for kindly supporting this event. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the economy recovers from the pandemic, the government wants to ‘build back better’ and ‘level up’. Improving public health could play an important role in achieving these objectives. We are a less healthy nation than many of our European neighbours, and there are huge differences in health between more and less prosperous parts of the UK. This affects quality of life as well as how productively people can work. How can public health policy form a part of the levelling up agenda? What is the appropriate role for government and businesses in promoting good public health? What interventions would make a difference and what incentives would help people to get healthier? To discuss these questions and more, we are delighted to bring together an expert panel featuring: Jo Bibby, Director of Health at the Health Foundation Professor Sir Michael Marmot, Professor of Epidemiology at University College London, Director of the UCL Institute of Health Equity and Past President of the World Medical Association Nigel Wilson, Group Chief Executive at Legal & General Tina Woods, Founder and CEO of Collider Health and CEO and co-founder of Longevity International The event is chaired by Dr Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government, with an introduction by Bronwen Maddox, Director of the Institute for Government. #IfGlevellingup See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From attacking opposition policies to rebutting opposition attacks, selling key messages to voters and shaping media narratives, general election campaigns can be won or lost on the success of a communications strategy. So how do the parties design and deliver their approach to the media, or to communicating beyond the media? How different are the approaches needed for print, broadcast and online? Are the challenges different for the Conservatives and Labour? What are the key moments and potential turning points in a campaign? And what happens when an unexpected event, gaffe or story threatens to derail a general election campaign? To examine how Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer are communicating with the electorate as the general election approaches, and to explore the lessons of previous campaigns, the Institute for Government brought together people who have led communications strategies for government and the opposition, and shaped election coverage for national broadcasters and newspapers.   Anushka Asthana, Deputy Political Editor at ITV News Lee Cain, Downing Street Director of Communications (2019–20) James Schneider, Head of Strategic Communications for the Labour Party (2016–20) Katy Searle, Head of BBC Westminster (2017–20) and Executive Editor of BBC Politics (2020–22)   The event was chaired by Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Institute for Government is delighted to bring together two of the UK’s most experienced former diplomats for a discussion on the future of Global Britain. Lord Ricketts has held the posts of permanent secretary to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, National Security Adviser and UK Ambassador to France. Sir Peter Westmacott’s distinguished career has included stints as the UK’s Ambassador to the United States, France and Turkey. They discuss Britain’s foreign policy priorities and how they can be achieved, the many international challenges and dilemmas facing the UK, and what Global Britain really means – plus their newly published books: Hard Choices: What Britain Does Next by Peter Ricketts and They Call It Diplomacy: Forty Years Of Representing Britain Abroad by Peter Westmacott. Peter Ricketts and Peter Westmacott are in conversation with the IfG's Director, Bronwen Maddox. #IfGGlobalBritain See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michael Gove has unveiled a grandly-titled document called the “Declaration of Government Reform”. So what’s it all about? There’s a plan to move more than 20,000 civil servants out of London, but also plenty of detail on civil servants’ pay, performance, and accountability. Will the reforms make a difference? We’ve pressed the emergency podcast alarm, and dialled up guest Gus O’Donnell, the former cabinet secretary, to work out what it all means, and whether any of it will work. With Alex Thomas, Cath Haddon, and Tim Durrant. Audio production by Candice McKenzie See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Boris Johnson has announced that a public inquiry into the government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic will start next year. Following the publication of our paper, which set out the case for an inquiry and how it should be run, this Institute for Government event discussed how the inquiry can succeed. How can the inquiry ensure important issues aren't missed and findings are delivered in a reasonable time? What is the role of parliament and the public in shaping the purpose of the inquiry and ensuring that the government follows up on its findings? Who should lead the inquiry and what type of person should sit on its panel? Discussing these questions were: Sir Lawrence Freedman, Professor of War Studies at King’s College London and committee member for the Chilcot Inquiry Sally Warren, Director of Policy at The King’s Fund Sir Bernard Jenkin, Chair of the House of Commons Liaison Committee Layla Moran, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus  The event was chaired by Marcus Shepheard, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government. #IfGCovidinquiry See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The legacy of Richard, Viscount Haldane can be seen across modern Britain. But why has modern Britain forgotten the many and wide-ranging accomplishments of this philosopher-statesman? The Institute for Government was delighted to welcome John Campbell, author of Haldane: The Forgotten Statesman Who Shaped Modern Britain, and Sir Anthony Seldon, historian and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Buckingham, to discuss his life and legacy. Richard Haldane created the Territorial Army and the British Expeditionary Force and was a key player in the formation of MI5, MI6, and the RAF. In academia, he played a big part in founding and developing the LSE, Imperial College, the ‘redbrick’ universities, and the Medical Research Council. His work in science and research with the University Grants Committee was catalytic in British university life, and his name is still frequently invoked in the "Haldane principle" – that the aims of research should be separate from government direction – although the principle and indeed the attribution to him are still hotly debated. A formidable lawyer and philosopher, who rose to be Lord Chancellor, he was the first incumbent of that office to advocate an independent Supreme Court. In a conversation chaired by Bronwen Maddox, the Director of the Institute for Government, John Campbell and Sir Anthony Seldon discussed Haldane's influence on the past and present. John Campbell, who describes himself as a lifelong admirer of Haldane, is also co-founder and chair of Campbell Lutyens, an international private equity and infrastructure advisory house. #IfGHaldaneprinciple See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The future of EU citizens living in the UK was one of the big sticking points of the Brexit talks. In the 2019 Withdrawal Agreement, the UK agreed to establish an Independent Monitoring Authority to oversee the protections of the rights of EU citizens living in the UK before the end of the transition period. What are the IMA’s priorities? What are its concerns? What progress has been made and what are the key challenges ahead? Five months after the IMA’s launch, and with the 30 June deadline for EU citizens to register for settled, or pre-settled, status fast approaching, the IfG was pleased to welcome the new IMA chair and members of its senior team for a wide-ranging discussion on the IMA’s vital role. Our panel Sir Ashley Fox, Chair of the Independent Monitoring Authority Kate Chamberlain, Chief Executive of the Independent Monitoring Authority Pam Everett, Director of Operational Delivery at the Independent Monitoring Authority Rhys Davies, General Counsel at the Independent Monitoring Authority  The event was chaired by Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government #IfGBrexit See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Crucial elections took place across the UK on 6 May. The result in Scotland could have huge consequences for the UK's future. The election in Wales is the most unpredictable since devolution. And across England, voters have elected the mayors of London and other English cities, 39 police and crime commissioners and several thousand councillors. The impact on the national political debate could be significant. To make sense of the results and analyse what they mean, the Institute for Government held a special post-election expert discussion. What will the votes mean for the major parties? How will the result in Scotland affect the independence question? What comes next in the devolution debate? And what will the mayors of the big English cities do with their powers? Our panel: Kieran Andrews, Scottish Political Editor at The Times Professor Laura McAllister, Professor of Public Policy at the Wales Governance Centre, University of Cardiff Professor Tony Travers, Professor in Practice in the Department of Government, London School of Economics Jess Sargeant, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government The event was chaired by Akash Paun, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government. #IfGDevo See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Institute for Government was delighted to welcome the three newly appointed leaders of data, digital and technology in government. Paul Willmott, Chair of the Central Digital and Data Office, Joanna Davinson, Executive Director of the Central Digital and Data Office, and Tom Read, Chief Executive Officer of the Government Digital Service, was in conversation with Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. The Central Data and Digital Office was established earlier this year, and its work will complement that of the Government Digital Service, which is approaching its tenth anniversary. The event explored Paul, Joanna and Tom’s visions for the next phase of digital delivery and transformation in government, and their respective priorities for the coming year. #IfGdigital The Institute for Government would like to thank Oracle for kindly supporting this event.​ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The coronavirus crisis has seen many organisations from many sectors work together in their responses. These include government departments, local authorities, NHS trusts, police forces, charities and community groups. But while there are many examples of successful collaboration and coordination, it has varied substantially in different parts of the country, and across and between national and local government. So what lessons can be learnt for future crises? Have some parts of national or local government responses worked more effectively than others? What is the cost of not getting this right? And what are the appropriate roles and responsibilities for different organisations in a crisis? Our panel to discuss these issues were: Mike Adamson, CEO of the British Red Cross Saffron Cordery, Deputy Chief Executive of NHS Providers Jacqui Smith, Chair of University Hospitals Birmingham and former Home Secretary Robin Tuddenham, CEO of Calderdale Council and Co-Chair of West Yorkshire Prepared The event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. #IfGcrises The Institute for Government would like to thank the British Red Cross for kindly supporting this event.​ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Institute for Government was delighted to welcome Ambassador João Vale de Almeida, the EU Ambassador to the UK. The start of the post-Brexit relationship between the UK and the EU has been marked by tensions over vaccine distribution and the Northern Ireland protocol. But these are also issues where close co-operation is needed. How should the UK and the EU work together to implement the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and the Northern Ireland protocol? What are the other areas of shared interest ahead of the G7 summit and United Nations climate conference? What can be done to improve relations between the EU and the UK post-Brexit? To discuss these questions and more, João Vale de Almeida was in conversation with Bronwen Maddox, Director of the Institute for Government. João Vale de Almeida previously served as the EU Ambassador to the United Nations 2015-19 and the EU Ambassador to the US 2010-14. #IfGBrexit See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From court hearings to GP appointments, education to social care, the coronavirus crisis has had a huge impact on the way public services are delivered. Years of innovation have taken place in a matter of months, with many of the most successful changes developed locally and by frontline staff. So what can central government do to embed, support and successfully scale up these new approaches in public services delivery? What tools does Whitehall need to facilitate transformational change across the public sector and how can the public sector collaborate with other sectors to achieve a shared goal? What role can recent changes play in the recovery from the pandemic? And what lessons can be learnt from the way changes have been introduced in response to the pandemic? On our panel to discuss these issues were: Lord Victor Adebowale, Chair of NHS Confederation Dr Henry Kippin, Director of Economic Growth at North of Tyne Combined Authority Kirsty McNeill, Executive Director of Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns at Save the Children Chris Clements, Director at Social Finance The event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. #IfGpublicservices We would like to thank Social Finance for kindly supporting this event.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The success of the civil service has always depended on the recruitment and retention of exceptional individuals – and this means bringing in talented outsiders with particular skills and capabilities. It is 170 years since the Northcote-Trevelyan report argued that people “of the highest abilities should be selected for the highest posts” in Whitehall, while the government’s most recent reform plan, the 2021 Declaration on Government Reform, argued that more external recruits were needed. So, who are the officials at the very top of the civil service – and is enough being done to recruit the best outside talent? Why would the civil service benefit from bringing in more outsiders? Does civil service culture make it difficult to thrive as an external recruit? What sort of skills does the civil service need from expert outsiders? And what progress has been made since the Declaration on Government Reform was published? To discuss these questions, this event featured three permanent secretaries who have all spent time working in the private sector as well for the civil service: Gareth Davies, Permanent Secretary of the Department for Business and Trade Cat Little, Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Office Sarah Munby, Permanent Secretary of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Jordan Urban, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government The event was chaired by Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The arrival of Covid-19 forced parliament to innovate rapidly and experiment with new ways of working. These had a dramatic impact on the way MPs and peers did their jobs – with implications for the effectiveness and inclusivity of our legislature. What innovations should be kept, what should be dropped and who should decide? This event brought together an expert panel to discuss these important questions. Tracey Crouch, MP for Chatham and Aylesford Matthew Hamlyn, Strategic Director, Chamber Business Team at House of Commons Philip Norton (Lord Norton of Louth), Professor of Government at the University of Hull and President of the Study of Parliament Group The event was chaired by Dr Hannah White OBE, Deputy Director of the Institute for Government. #IfGParliament See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Following the publication of What Does Jeremy Think?: Jeremy Heywood and the Making of Modern Britain, Lady Suzanne Heywood joins IfG director Bronwen Maddox for a fascinating discussion about the life and career of the former Cabinet Secretary. Suzanne Heywood discusses her late husband’s experiences at the heart of government alongside four prime ministers, his views on the civil service, and how he navigated the uncharted territory of the Brexit referendum and its tumultuous fall-out. With the Greensill saga rocking British politics, she also discusses Jeremy Heywood’s thinking behind bringing Lex Greensill into government, and why he believed the private sector can play a vital role in improving the way government works.   Suzanne Heywood was married to Jeremy Heywood from 1997 until his death in 2018. She worked as a civil servant in the Treasury and for McKinsey and Company before joining Exor in 2016. The biography What does Jeremy Think?: Jeremy Heywood and the making of Modern Britain, began as a joint effort between Jeremy and Suzanne. It was published earlier this year. Audio production by Candice McKenzie See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Three centuries have passed since Robert Walpole became the first prime minister of Great Britain. The context of government has changed enormously, but aspects of the role remain the same. Of the 55 people who held the post some achieved greatness, some struggled with circumstances, others failed dismally.    So what is the key to being a successful prime minister? How does Boris Johnson compare to his predecessors? And does the job itself need a fundamental makeover?   A fascinating new IFG LIVE discussion looks back on 300 years of prime ministers, and explores the pressures and pitfalls of being at the top of the political greasy pole.   With   Iain Dale, broadcaster and author of The Prime Ministers Francis Elliott, director of advocacy at engagebritain.org, former political editor of The Times and biographer of David Cameron Rosa Prince, editor of The House Magazine and biographer of Theresa May Anthony Seldon, author of The Impossible Office: The History of the British Prime Minister   Presented by Catherine Haddon   Audio production by Candice McKenzie See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices