IfG Events

Episódios

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  How can Labour’s early years agenda better support boys from low-income families? 30.09.2026 59min

  This event was part of the IfG's programme of events at the Labour Party Conference 2026. Speakers: Paul Waugh MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Early Education) Lynn Perry MBE, Chief Executive Officer at Barnardo's Sarah Ronan, Executive Director at the Early Education and Childcare Coalition Matt Towner, Director of Programmes at Impact on Urban Health Alistair Strathern MP, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Labour Group for Men and Boys This event was chaired by Nehal Davison, former Programme Director at the Institute for Government.  This event was in partnership with Barnardo’s and Impact on Urban Health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  Where next for English devolution under Andy Burnham? 30.09.2026 58min

  This event was part of the IfG's programme of events at the Labour Party Conference 2026. Speakers: Mayor Kim McGuinness, Mayor of North East England Cllr Fran Belbin, Leader of Sheffield City Council Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor at The University of Manchester Mark Rogers, Interim Chief Executive, Sussex & Brighton Strategic Authority  This event was chaired by Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.  This event was in partnership with The University of Manchester. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  How can Labour build an affordable welfare system that supports sick and disabled people? 29.09.2026 1h 12min

  This event was part of the IfG's programme of events at the Labour Party Conference 2026. Speakers: Dame Meg Hillier MP, Chair of the Treasury Select Committee Rt Hon Alan Milburn, Chair of the Young People and Work Review Ben Paxton, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government Dr Kate Summers, British Academy Post Doctoral Fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science This event was chaired by Thomas Pope, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government.  This event was in partnership with the London School of Economics and Political Science. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  Getting things done: How can government deliver policy priorities? 29.09.2026 59min

  This event was part of the IfG's programme of events at the Labour Party Conference. Speakers: Sarah Jones MP, Minister of State (Home Office) David Pinto-Duschinsky MP, Parliamentary Private Secretary at the Department for Work and Pensions, and former Special Adviser in the Home Office and Treasury James Reeve, Partner at PA Consulting Felicity Slater, former special adviser in No.10, Cabinet Office, and HM Treasury Jack Worlidge, Associate Director at the Institute for Government This event was chaired by Hannah Keenan, Associate Director at the Institute for Government.  This event was in partnership with PA Consulting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  Leaders of tomorrow: How can the UK develop politicians fit for the future? 29.09.2026 56min

  This event was part of the IfG's programme of events at the Labour Party Conference 2026. Speakers: Sam Carling MP, Member of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs CommitteeChris Murray MP, Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeDr Sofia Ropek-Hewson, Senior Research Fellow and Interim Head of Decade of National Renewal Programme at IPPRJoel Spreadborough, Head of Policy and Impact at the Chartered Management Institute This event was chaired by Vicky Elliott, Director of the IfG Academy at the Institute for Government. This event was in partnership with IPPR. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  In conversation with Daisy Cooper MP 21.09.2026 49min

  Giles Wilkes, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government was joined by Daisy Cooper MP, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats. Hannah Marwood, Head of Government Affairs at The Investment Association made opening remarks. This event was in partnership with The Investment Association. This event was part of the IfG's programme of events at the Liberal Democrat Conference 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  Does the UK do enough to guard against corruption in public life? 21.09.2026 1h 4min

  High-profile incidents of misconduct, political donations, and freebies have all raised concerns about standards and integrity in UK public life – so what more can be done to tackle corruption in national and local government? In his new book Corrupted Kingdom, Robert Barrington argues that corruption in Britain is not just a matter of isolated scandals but reflects deeper systemic vulnerabilities that risk undermining trust in democratic institutions. This Institute for Government event will bring together a panel of experts – including Robert – to explore the scale and nature of corruption risks in the UK today, examine where current safeguards are working or falling short, and discuss what reforms may be needed to strengthen transparency and accountability. Robert’s book argues political leaders are facing a clear choice: tackle corruption or continue on the road to decline. This event will explore what that choice looks like in practice – and whether the UK is ready to act. The event brought together an expert panel, including: Robert Barrington, author of Corrupted Kingdom: Britain's Disappearing Integrity – And How We Can Get It Back Jenna Corderoy, Investigative reporter at Democracy for Sale Kamila Kingstone, Defending Democracy Programme Lead at Spotlight on Corruption John Penrose, former government Anti-Corruption Champion The event was chaired by Vicky Elliott, Director of the IfG Academy at the Institute for Government.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  Andy Burnham: How can the prime minister meet the government’s biggest challenges? 17.09.2026 1h 2min

  The new prime minister has appointed his ministers and put his No.10 team in place. He has created a new Office for the Prime Minister and Cabinet. And set out some immediate policy changes while promising a 10-year plan later in the year. So what happens now? Having spent the summer setting out the new government's direction, how will Andy Burnham meet the challenge of being prime minister? How will he respond to parliamentary scrutiny? What do his spending choices mean for his fiscal policy? How might a challenging global situation impact his domestic policy? And what are his priorities at the upcoming Labour Party Conference? The event brought together an expert panel, including: Steph Driver, Keir Starmer’s former No.10 Communications Director Paul Johnson, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government and former Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (joining virtually) Neal Lawson, Executive Director at Compass Alex Thomas, Executive Director at the Institute for Government The event was chaired by Dr Hannah White, CEO of the Institute for Government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  What Happened to Liberal Democracy? 16.09.2026 59min

  The Institute for Government was pleased to welcome Daron Acemoglu, the Nobel Prize-winning co-author of Why Nations Fail, to discuss his new book: What Happened to Liberal Democracy? Remaking a Politics of Shared Prosperity. In his latest book, Daron Acemoglu, a Nobel Prize winner in economics, documents the rise and, some would argue, fall of liberal democracy, recounting how liberal democratic institutions plunged themselves into crisis over the last several decades. Looking at rapid advances in technology, shifts in regulatory environments, global political history, and economics, Acemoglu lays out the challenges to these institutions and sets out a new way forward, which he calls working-class liberalism: a philosophy that prioritizes shared prosperity, empowers communities, and accommodates a range of views – essential if liberal democracy is to survive in the 21st century. Daron Acemoglu was in conversation with Dr Hannah White, CEO of the Institute for Government, before taking part in an audience Q&A, followed by a book signing. Daron Acemoglu is a professor at MIT and Faculty Co-Director of MIT’s Shaping the Future of Work Initiative in Boston. Why Nations Fail (2012) has sold over one million copies globally. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  The government's local government reorganisation strategy: What went wrong and what comes next? 15.09.2026 58min

  Angela Rayner, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, has put plans to restructure local government on hold. So what went wrong and what happens next? The government’s ambitious local government reorganisation (LGR) programme, which affects around 41% of the population, aims to replace all county and district councils with a single tier of unitary local government. This would make it the largest LGR wave since 46 unitary authorities (UAs) were established between 1995 and 1997. Angela Rayner has now launched a full review of her predecessor’s decisions on future council boundaries, following new legal advice and in the face of a wave of judicial challenges. Rayner said she wanted to be satisfied the right process is in place and to test whether LGR proposals meet the priorities of the new prime minister. So how did this situation come about? What are the implications for trust between central government and local government? And how do these decisions affect broader ambitions for the government to rewire the state and deliver good growth in every postcode? As local leaders and the sector process the government’s decision, the IfG assembled an expert panel to respond to these developments, featuring: Amanda Askham, Partner, Consulting at Grant Thornton UK LLP Dr Matthew Fright, Associate Director at the Institute for Government Heather Jameson, Editor of The MJ Akash Paun, Director at the Institute for Government This event was chaired by Dr Catherine Haddon, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government. We would like to thank Grant Thornton UK LLP for kindly supporting this event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  How can government help deliver a globally competitive AI infrastructure for the UK? 11.09.2026 1h 5min

  The government believes access to sufficient AI infrastructure and compute capacity will be critical for the UK’s economic growth, productivity and global competitiveness – but the UK is in a global race for investment, talent and consequential technological breakthroughs. So how can ministers and civil servants deliver the government’s ambitions? Last June, the government announced over £1bn of investment in the UK’s compute capacity, while the government’s Compute Roadmap outlines its strategic approach to building world-class compute infrastructure in the UK. But will this infrastructure translate into the growth and productivity gains that the government has forecast? How can government attract private sector investment? How can the Cabinet Office, DBIST, DCMS, HMT, DESNZ and No 10 best cooperate to drive the whole of the state in support of the strategy? And what are the key challenges for new prime minister Andy Burnham in realising the government’s AI infrastructure goals? To discuss all this and more, the IfG brought together an expert panel, including: Emily Darlington MP, Member of the Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee Matt Davies, Economic and Social Policy Lead at Ada Lovelace Institute Matthew Harris, Senior Vice President and Managing Director at HPE Mary Jones, Director for AI Adoption and Preparedness at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology The event was chaired by Heloise Dunlop, Researcher at the Institute for Government. We would like to thank Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) for kindly supporting this event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  Andy Burnham, Manchester and No.10 North: How can the prime minister make his devolution agenda succeed? 10.09.2026 1h 1min

  The first days and weeks of Andy Burnham's premiership have seen the prime minister promise to accelerate the devolution agenda, with the launch of Number 10 North demonstrating his commitment to take power away from London. But what can the prime minister do to make his devolution agenda succeed? How will No.10 North work constructively with the new Office for the Prime Minister and Cabinet and other Whitehall departments? What does devolution mean for the government's public service agenda? And how will the rest of the country benefit from Burnham's plan to send more power from London to Manchester? The event brought together an expert panel, including: Thomas Pope, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government Luke Raikes, Deputy General Secretary at the Fabian Society Jennifer Williams, Northern Correspondent at the Financial Times The event was chaired by Dr Hannah White, CEO of the Institute for Government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  Reform UK Party Conference 2026: What is the Reform UK vision for devolution and local government in England? 08.09.2026 1h

  Speakers: Cllr Stephen Atkinson, Leader of Lancashire County Council and Leader of the Local Government Association's Reform UK Group Justin Galliford, Chief Executive Officer at Norse Group Cllr Linden Kemkaran, Leader of Kent County Council Akash Paun, Programme Director (Devolution) at the Institute for Government Cllr Daniel Sutherland, Leader of Calderdale Council This event was chaired by Dr Hannah White, CEO of the Institute for Government. This event was in partnership with Norse Group. This event was part of the Institute for Government's programme of party conference events at the Reform UK Party Conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  Reform UK Party Conference 2026: In conversation with Danny Kruger MP 04.09.2026 1h 2min

  Alex Thomas, Executive Director at the Institute for Government, was joined by Danny Kruger MP, head of Reform UK’s unit for preparing the party for government. This event was part of the Institute for Government's programme of party conference events at the Reform UK Party Conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  IfG DevoLab #6: How can mayors support a just climate transition? 16.07.2026 1h 36min

  We were at the Institute for Government for the sixth event in the IfG DevoLab series, held in partnership with the JUST Centre, at which speakers from three regions with devolved powers set out how mayors and strategic authorities can use their powers, funding and influence to support a just climate transition. The three case studies presented at IfG DevoLab #6 were: ‘The Local Net Zero Accelerator programme in the West Midlands’ by Barbara Leach, Programme Manager at West Midlands Combined Authority ‘Devolution and local power for communities in the North West of England’, by James Johnson, Head of Regional Programme at the North West Net Zero Hub ‘Place-based climate action in Yorkshire and the Humber - the Climate Commission model’, by Rosa Foster, Director at Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission These speakers were joined by Professor Matthew Paterson, Deputy Director at the JUST Centre, for a broader discussion of the benefits of devolution and mayoral leadership for this agenda, how places are developing new ways of governing and new forms of participation to ensure that the climate transition is just, joined-up and reflects local needs, and what might be achieved by further devolution. This event was chaired by Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. The IfG DevoLab is dedicated to exploring the innovations enabled by devolution, learning from the results, and sharing the lessons so that places can take better decisions about how to use devolved powers and budgets. Insights from this discussion will inform a published policy briefing containing the three case studies and a synthesis of key lessons. We would like to thank the Centre for Joined-Up Sustainability Transformations (JUST) for kindly supporting this event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  Creating a regulatory system that attracts investment 16.07.2026 1h 9min

  This event was part of the IfG's half-day conference, Regulation in a changing world: How to meet the needs of the future? Panellists discussed how the design of a regulatory system can best build investor confidence and encourage good long-term outcomes. Rt Hon George Eustice, former Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (2020–22) Mark McAllister, Chair of Ofgem Stefanie Voelz, Senior Credit Officer at Moody’s This session was chaired by Giles Wilkes, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  Delivering government policy through regulation 16.07.2026 1h 4min

  This event was part of the IfG's half-day conference, Regulation in a changing world: How to meet the needs of the future? An expert panel explored the purpose of regulation, and particularly its relationship to government policy. How can strategic direction from government, regulatory independence and consistency across sectors be balanced in a period of rapid change? Caleb Deeks, Director General for Competition, Markets and Regulatory Reform at the Department for Business and Trade Lord Michael Gove, Editor of The Spectator and former Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (2017–19) Dame Clare Moriarty DCB, Chief Executive at Citizens’ Advice Natalie Prosser, Chief Executive Officer at the Office for Environmental Protection This session was chaired by Dr Matthew Gill, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  A keynote speech by Blair McDougall MP, Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation 16.07.2026 51min

  This event was part of the IfG's half-day conference, Regulation in a changing world: How to meet the needs of the future? Welcome Opening remarks from Dr Hannah White OBE, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government. The minister delivered a keynote speech, and was then in conversation with Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government and David Henderson, Chief Executive Officer of Water UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  In conversation with Sir Ed Davey MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats 15.07.2026 1h 4min

  The IfG was pleased to welcome Sir Ed Davey MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, to set out his priorities for political and constitutional reform. In March, Ed Davey set out proposals for a “new Magna Carta” – a written constitution to safeguard fundamental British rights and freedoms. He expanded on those plans and talk about how the Liberal Democrats are continuing their campaign to secure proportional representation in the age of multi-party politics. And with Andy Burnham’s announcement of Number 10 North pushing devolution up the political agenda, Davey set out his approach to empowering councils and communities. Sir Ed Davey was in conversation with Dr Hannah White, CEO of the Institute for Government, and took part in an audience Q&A. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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  In conversation with Richard Tice MP, Deputy Leader of Reform UK 07.07.2026 46min

  Following the May 2026 local and devolved UK elections, Reform UK is running over 20 local authorities, has two regional mayors, and is the second-largest party in the Welsh parliament. But how would a Reform UK government in Westminster approach complex challenges like rewiring the state, boosting public service productivity, and growing the British economy? On 7 July, the IfG welcomed Richard Tice MP, Reform UK’s Deputy Leader and the party’s business, trade and energy spokesman, to discuss Reform UK’s vision for government. What has the party learned from its experiences in local government across England? How would it approach relations between Westminster and devolved governments? And what policies would Reform UK prioritise if it wins the next general election – and what possible trade-offs would it face in government? Richard Tice was in conversation with Dr Hannah White, CEO of the Institute for Government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices