Institute for Government

On 20 November 2025, the UK Covid-19 Inquiry will publish its second report. This module focuses on political and administrative decision making during the pandemic, examining how key decisions were made across government, and civil service performance. This report will also include perspectives from Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. In a rapid reaction webinar the following day, our expert IfG panel unpacked the report's findings and explored their implications for future governance: Tim Durrant, Programme Director for the IfG Ministers work programme Stuart Hoddinott, Associate Director at the IfG Akash Paun, Programme Director for the IfG Devolution work programme Alex Thomas, Programme Director for the IfG Civil Service work programme The webinar was chaired by Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government.

Scotland is just six months away from May's crucial parliamentary election, with First Minister John Swinney preparing to lead the SNP into one of the most unpredictable campaigns since the party entered government almost 19 years ago. On 19 November, the Institute for Government was delighted to welcome Scotland's First Minister to discuss his priorities ahead of the 2026 Scottish parliament election, the political context in Scotland ahead of the crucial UK budget, and the SNP's vision for Scotland's constitutional future. John Swinney was in conversation with Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government, followed by a Q&A with the live and online audience.

At May's UK-EU summit, Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled a new Common Understanding between the EU and the UK. The government hailed a new “deal” with the EU which included an agreement on fisheries and a joint commitment to negotiate a ‘youth experience scheme', as well as new arrangements for agriculture, emissions trading, energy cooperation and defence. Many of these changes will involve the UK accepting dynamic alignment, with its potential role in “decision-shaping” to be defined. Six months on, how much progress has been made? Have new stumbling blocks emerged? And now the government has started to highlight the economic consequences of Brexit, will it start to seek an even closer relationship? To explore these questions and more, we were joined by our expert panel: Baroness Ashton, former High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and member of House of Lords and European Affairs Committee Professor Anand Menon, Director of UK in a Changing Europe Calum Miller MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Foreign Affairs) Sir Ivan Rogers, former UK Permanent Representative to the EU The event was chaired by Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government. We would like to thank UK in a Changing Europe for kindly supporting this event.

Poor public service performance was a key reason for Labour's victory in the 2024 election. Following the new government's first multi-year spending review and a major reshuffle, this event brough together a panel of experts to discuss how successfully Labour has managed public services since coming to office. This event brought together a panel of experts to discuss these key questions: What was Labour's public service inheritance? How much progress has the government made on public services since the election? What impact with the spending review have on public service performance? What are the biggest public service challenges that need to be addressed over the rest of the parliament? What are the implications for the budget? As the Institute for Government published the latest edition of Performance Tracker, written in partnership with the Nuffield Foundation, which featured new analysis on the performance of public services, Amber Dellar, Stuart Hoddinott and Cassia Rowland, presented the key findings. They were joined by Stephen Bush, associate editor and columnist at the Financial Times. This event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government, with an introduction by Mark Franks at the Nuffield Foundation. This event was kindly supported by the Nuffield Foundation.

Keir Starmer has announced plans for a new digital ID scheme to combat illegal working and make it easier for people to use vital government services like applying for a driving licence and accessing tax records. The government has said that digital ID will be mandatory for right to work checks by the end of this parliament. But critics argue that government has not made a clear case for digital ID, and warn that building a secure, reliable and trusted form of digital identity will be a monumental challenge to implement. So what problem – and for whom – would digital ID solve? Are the government's ambitions realistic? Is the right data and security infrastructure in place? And what could this mean for digitally excluded groups? To discuss these questions and more, we will be joined by an expert panel including: Rachel Coldicutt, Founder and Executive Director of Careful Industries Matthew Feeney, Advocacy Manager at Big Brother Watch David Normington, former Permanent Secretary at the Home Office Morgan Wild, Chief Policy Adviser at Labour Together and author of “Britcard: a progressive digital identity for Britain” The event will be chaired by Tim Durrant, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

Better use of technology, the transition from analogue to digital, and greater innovation are at the heart of the 10 Year Health Plan. This includes plans to make the NHS app a gateway to the entire NHS, integrate AI into clinical pathways, create a new Health Data Research Service, make genomic sequencing at birth universal, utilise wearable technology in treatments as standard, and to improve uptake and adoption of medicines. What are the potential benefits of greater use of technology and innovation in the NHS? Are there any risks associated with this? How deliverable is the 10 Year Health Plan's vision for the use of technology and innovation in the NHS? What are the barriers to greater adoption of technology and innovation more broadly? And how can these be overcome? How can investment in technology and innovation be protected and prioritised? To discuss these questions and more, we were joined by an expert panel including: Matthew Chisambi, Director of Imperial College Health Partners Johan Kahlström, President and Managing Director, UK and Ireland at Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Sam Roberts, Chief Executive of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence This event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. We would like to thank Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK for kindly supporting this event.

The fast stream, the civil service's flagship talent development programme, has recently seen a record number of applications and reclaimed the top spot in the Times Higher Education graduate scheme ranking. But exclusive Institute for Government research reveals that the programme still faces significant challenges, including early exits from the scheme, variable quality of postings and fast streamers struggling to find roles upon scheme completion. What should the fast stream's role be in the wider civil service recruitment ecosystem? What can the government do to ensure that the fast stream delivers more for the civil service? What can the civil service learn from other sectors? And what should future fast stream reform efforts focus on? To explore these questions, the IfG was delighted to be joined for a panel discussion on the future of the fast stream by: Robert Eagleton, National Officer for the Fast Stream at the FDA Union Rachel Hopcroft CBE, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at NatWest Group Sonia Pawson, Director of HR at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and former Head of Fast Stream The conversation started with a presentation of key IfG research findings by Teodor Grama, author of Changing course: How to reform the civil service fast stream. The event was chaired by Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

The IfG DevoLab is a new initiative from the Institute for Government 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. On 6 November, the IfG hosted its third IfG DevoLab event in Leeds, at which speakers from three regions set out how the powers and profile of mayors are being used to improve transport connectivity within and between their regions. The three case studies presented at IfG DevoLab #3 were: ‘Improving transport connectivity in West Yorkshire', by Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford City Council and Chair of the West Yorkshire Transport Committee ‘Connecting Liverpool City Region through Merseyrail', by Huw Jenkins, Lead Officer - Transport Policy at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority ‘Mayoral partnerships with Great British Railways' by Richard Crabtree, Head of Mayoral Partnerships at Shadow Great British Railways The three speakers were joined by Tom Bridges, UK Government Business Leader at Arup, for a broader discussion of how devolution can improve transport connectivity, how the government can support innovation and learning, and whether there is a case for further devolution in this area. This event was chaired by Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government. 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 Arup for kindly supporting this event. We are also grateful to our strategic partner L&G for its wider support of the IfG DevoLab series.

As well as the election of a new government, the last year has seen the appointment of a new cabinet secretary and eight new permanent secretaries to lead departments. How will this new leadership cohort change the civil service? What should they prioritise as they get to grips with their new departments? And how can they build the most talented teams to deliver the government's priorities? To explore these questions, with a particular focus on the Civil Service Commission's role in recruiting senior leaders and developing the talent pipeline, the IfG was delighted to be joined for a panel discussion on civil service leadership and change by: Atul Devani, Civil Service Commissioner and entrepreneur John-Paul Marks CB, First Permanent Secretary and Chief Executive of HM Revenue and Customs Baroness Gisela Stuart, First Civil Service Commissioner Baroness Stuart spoke briefly to consider the opportunities and challenges for the civil service. She spoke to the Commission's strategic priorities for 2025–27. The event was chaired by Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

Productivity Pitches #8: Spreading innovation across public services by Institute for Government

IfG DevoLab #2 How can mayors and strategic authorities secure investment into regional economies EDIT by Institute for Government

Local government reorganisation and public service delivery by Institute for Government

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Conservative Party Conference 2025 fringe programme. Speakers: Rt Hon Lord Willetts, Chair of the Regulatory Innovation Office and former Minister for Universities and Science Helen Bower-Easton CBE, Director of Communications at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Professor Nigel Brandon OBE, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Professor of Sustainable Development in Energy at Imperial College London Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government Giles Wilkes, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government This event was chaired by Dr Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government. This event was held in partnership with Imperial College London.

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Conservative Party Conference 2025 fringe programme. Speakers: Mayor Paul Bristow, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester Cllr Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities, Economic Growth and Prosperity at Essex County Council This event was chaired by Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Conservative Party Conference 2025 fringe programme. Speakers: Baroness Barran MBE, Shadow Minister for Education Dr Kieran Mullan MP, Shadow Minister for Justice Cllr Abi Brown OBE, Deputy Leader of the Local Government Association Conservative Group This event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Conservative Party Conference 2025 fringe programme. Speakers: Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP, Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Caroline Elsom, Head of Reshaping The State at Onward Eve Norridge, Head of Research at Onward Dr Hannah White, Director of the Institute for Government This event will be chaired by Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. This event was held in partnership with Onward.

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Conservative Party Conference 2025 fringe programme. Speakers: Richard Fuller MP, Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury Thomas Pope, Deputy Chief Economist at the Institute for Government Ryan Shorthouse, Executive Chair at Bright Blue Trinh Tu, Managing Director, Public Affairs at Ipsos UK This event was chaired by Dr Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government.

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Conservative Party Conference 2025 fringe programme. Speakers: David Simmonds MP, Shadow Minister for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Dr Tom Arnold, Research Associate at the Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place Cllr Abi Brown OBE, Deputy Leader of the Local Government Association Conservative Group Helen Gbormittah, Regional Director, North West at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) This event was chaired by Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. This event was held in partnership with the Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place at the University of Liverpool.

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Labour Party Conference 2025 fringe programme. Speakers: Jake Richards MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary at the Ministry of Justice Deputy Mayor Kate Green, Deputy Mayor for Safer and Stronger Communities, Greater Manchester Clare Moody, Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon & Somerset Cassia Rowland, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government Fiona Rutherford, Chief Executive of JUSTICE This event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. This event was held in partnership with JUSTICE.

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Labour Party Conference 2025 fringe programme. Speakers: Tim Leunig, Chief Econonist at Nesta Dave Penman, General Secretary at the FDA Dr Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government Paul Whiteman, General Secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers This event was chaired by Ben Paxton, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government. This event was held in partnership with the FDA.

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Labour Party Conference 2025 fringe programme. Speakers: Katherine Fairclough, Chief Executive of Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Council & Corporate Portfolio Holder at City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council Sue Jarvis, Co-Director at Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place Dr Henry Kippin, Chief Executive of North East Combined Authority This event was chaired by Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. This event was held in partnership with the Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place at the University of Liverpool and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Labour Party Conference 2025 fringe programme. Speakers: Chris Ward MP, Parliamentary Secretary in the Cabinet Office Kelly Beaver MBE, Chief Executive of Ipsos, UK and Ireland Conrad Thompson, Public Sector Lead for Innovation at PA Consulting Moira Wallace, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government This event was chaired by Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. This event was held in partnership with PA Consulting.

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Labour Party Conference 2025 fringe programme. Speakers: Alison McGovern MP, Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester Bassam Mahfouz AM, Chair of Greater London Authority Oversight Committee Deputy Mayor Nadine Peatfield, Deputy Mayor of East Midlands Combined Authority Cllr Bella Sankey, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council This event was chaired by Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. This event was held in partnership with Policy@Manchester - The University of Manchester.

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Labour Party Conference 2025 fringe programme. Speakers: Dan Jarvis MBE MP, Minister for Security at the Home Office and Minister of State at the Cabinet Office Emma Hardy MP, Minister for Water and Flooding Béatrice Butsana-Sita, Chief Executive at British Red Cross Dr Hannah White OBE, Director & CEO, at the Institute for Government This event was held in partnership with the British Red Cross. 

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Labour Party Conference 2025 fringe programme. Speakers: Michael Shanks MP, Minister for Energy at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Sam Alvis, Associate Director for Environment, Energy Security and Nature at IPPR Sam Peacock, Managing Director for Corporate Affairs, Regulation and Strategy at SSE Dhara Vyas, Chief Executive Officer of Energy UK This event was chaired by Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government. This event was held in partnership with Energy UK and SSE. 

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Labour Party Conference 2025 fringe programme. Speakers: Maya Ellis MP, Member of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee Mayor Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Professor Lisa Collins, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Research and Innovation at the University of Surrey Dr Rebecca McKee, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government This event was chaired by Thomas Pope, Deputy Chief Economist at the Institute for Government. This event was held in partnership with the University of Surrey. 

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Labour Party Conference 2025 fringe programme. Speakers: Dr Jo Bibby, Director of Health at Health Foundation Stuart Hoddinott, Associate Director at the Institute for Government Nick Meade, Chief Executive of Genetic Alliance UK Rob Thomas, Head of Public Affairs, UK and Ireland at Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK This event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. This event was held in partnership with Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK. 

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Labour Party Conference 2025 fringe programme. Speakers: Rt Hon John Denham, former Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Council & Corporate Portfolio Holder at City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council Katie Johnston, Devolved and Local Government Lead at PwC UK Jessica Studdert, Chief Executive of New Local This event was chaired by Stuart Hoddinott, Associate Director at the Institute for Government. This event was held in partnership with PwC UK.

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Labour Party Conference 2025 fringe programme. Speakers: Alex McIntyre MP, Member of the Health and Social Care Select Committee Kevin McKenna MP, Officer of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Health Professor Nicola Ranger, General Secretary and Chief Executive of the Royal College of Nursing Thea Stein, Chief Executive of the Nuffield Trust This event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. This event was held in partnership with the Royal College of Nursing.

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Labour Party Conference 2025 fringe programme. Speakers: Lisa Bungeroth, Director of Public Affairs at Imperial College London Thomas Cawston, Corporate Affairs Lead at Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Louise Hellem, Chief Economist at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Pranesh Narayanan, Senior Research Fellow at IPPR Giles Wilkes, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government This event was chaired by Dr Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government. This event was held in partnership with Imperial College London.

The Liberal Democrat manifesto committed to keeping people out of hospital by investing in public health and early access to community services. Prevention is also central to the government's plans for improving healthcare. But meaningfully shifting care from treatment to prevention is easier said than done. So how could the UK take a prevention-led approach to healthcare? We discussed at the 2025 Liberal Democrat Party Conference in Bournemouth with an expert panel featuring: ➡️ Andrew George MP, Member of the Health and Social Care Select Committee ➡️ Jules Payne Chief Executive at HEART UK - The Cholesterol Charity ➡️ Rob Thomas, Head of Public Affairs, UK and Ireland at Novartis UK This event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. This event was held in partnership with Novartis UK.

The government's devolution plans are centred on devolving more powers out of Whitehall into the hands of the local leaders, and giving local places control of key policy areas like skills, transport, and housing. But questions remain about how this will work in practice. At the 2025 Liberal Democrat Party Conference in Bournemouth we explored the key steps that local places need to take to develop an effective economic strategy. Our speakers included: ➡️ Baroness Pinnock, Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson on Housing, Communities and Local Government ➡️ Professor Lisa Collins, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the University of Surrey ➡️ Councillor Lorna Dupre, Deputy Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council ➡️ Rebecca McKee Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government This event was chaired by Thomas Pope, Deputy Chief Economist at the Institute for Government. This event was held in partnership with the University of Surrey.

President Trump's return to the White House has reshaped the world trade order – posing risks, but also offering opportunities, for the UK. What can be done to make the UK become a more attractive destination for foreign investment? How should the UK deal with the US - and approach its relationship with China? How can the government help UK businesses and will its new industrial and trade strategy help secure the UK's economic future? We discussed at the Liberal Democrat Conference in Bournemouth with an expert panel, featuring: ➡️ Clive Jones MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Trade ➡️ Helen Bower-Easton CBE, Director of Communications at the Financial Conduct Authority ➡️ Joanna Cound, Global Head of Public Policy at BlackRock UK ➡️ Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman at the City of London Corporation ➡️ Giles Wilkes, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government This event was chaired by Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government. This event was held in partnership with the City of London Corporation.

How can changes to NHS incentives help deliver the 10 Year Health Plan by Institute for Government

The former deputy prime minister, in his only fringe event at this year's Liberal Democrat conference, spoke to IfG director Hannah White about Keir Starmer's Donald Trump strategy, Elon Musk's interventions in British politics, the AI challenge, and how centre left parties can fight back against the rise of populism.

With European nations now spending more on defence than America for the first time since the Second World War, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin explored how the end of the peace dividend is creating new dilemmas for the political class and what this means for the Whitehall machine. In his first speech since stepping down as head of the armed forces, Admiral Sir Tony, who served four successive prime ministers, reflected on the advent of a third nuclear age, the race to artificial super intelligence and the requirement for grand national strategy to meet the demands of a new more dangerous era. Following his speech, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin was in conversation with Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government.

The Freedom of Information Act at 25 by Institute for Government

The industrial strategy has emerged after a long gestation, with June's white paper containing an exhaustive list of policy commitments intended to deliver Labour's promise to “lay the foundation for a decade of growth”, create hundreds of thousands of clean energy jobs, ensure that every region thrives, and put Britain “at the forefront of the technological revolution”. The strategy identifies 37 different ‘Frontier Industries' within the eight growth sectors already set out in the green paper from October 2024, with these sectors treated as enablers of productivity to other parts of the economy – not just as vehicles of growth in themselves. So how can this ambitious idea be delivered successfully? What combination of market and regulatory reforms can help to deliver this aim? What will be the role of public sector financial institutions like the National Wealth Fund and British Business Bank? What is the role for private finance? Is the government's push to encourage more pension fund investment in British industry welcome or risky? And with the industrial strategy containing so many goals, industries and policy instruments, has the government taken on more than it can realistically deliver? To explore these questions and more, we were joined by an expert panel, including: Sam Lister, Director General for Industrial Strategy at the Department for Business and Trade Paul Nightingale, Professor of Strategy at the University of Sussex Karen Northey, Corporate Affairs Director at the Investment Association Giles Wilkes, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government This event was chaired by Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government. This event was kindly supported by the Investment Association.

The prime minister has made some big changes in No.10. Darren Jones moves from the Treasury to take on the newly-created job of chief secretary to the prime minister. A new executive director of communications has been recruited. Minouche Shafik has been appointed as the PM's economics adviser. And other eye-catching job changes are taking place. So what does this all say about how Keir Starmer wants to govern? How will Darren Jones's role dovetail with chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden? Will these changes really equip the centre of government for a “relentless focus on delivery”? And what Institute for Government recommendations should Starmer now adopt as he weighs up further changes to the centre? This IfG expert briefing explores the prime minister's reshuffle of his No.10 team.

At this year's local elections, the Reform Party secured outright majorities in 10 local authorities and won two metro mayor contests. As its local leaders make the transition from opposition to government, what skills will they need to be successful? What are the trade-offs they will have to make? How should they design and deliver policy? And how should they work with the Labour government in Westminster to deliver for voters locally? Listen to the IfG's fringe event at the Reform UK Party Conference 2025. Speakers: Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO, Institute for Government (chair) Cllr Linden Kemkaran, Leader of Kent County Council & County Councillor for Maidstone Southeast Akash Paun, Programme Director (Devolution), Institute for Government Gawain Towler, Former Head of Press, Reform UK

Spads under Starmer: How can Labour's special advisers do the job well? by Institute for Government

Inside Trump's America: In conversation with Tim Ryan by Institute for Government

IfG DevoLab #1: How devolution can address health inequalities by Institute for Government

Labour fought the 2024 general election on a manifesto which promised “a new way of doing government” – one built on the concept of mission-driven government. But how much has this government's decisions, trade-offs and policy priorities really been shaped by its five missions? And how far have they been able to make progress on their priorities in the first year? To mark the first year of Keir Starmer becoming prime minister, the Institute for Government and the Institute for Fiscal Studies hosted a joint event to explore what progress the government has made and whether Starmer's government is really doing things differently to its predecessors. Are the government's missions realistic or do they lack ambition? Have Rachel Reeves' tax and spending choices supported or hindered mission delivery? What did the spending review reveal about the government's priorities? How could government be better structured – and decisions made – in a way that is more mission-driven? And one year on since the general election, can the government really say it is governing in a “new way”? To explore these questions and more, the IfG and IFS brought together an expert panel featuring: Stephen Bush, Associate Editor and columnist at the Financial Times Helen Miller, Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies Dr Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government The event was chaired by Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government.

Productivity Pitches #7: Welfare

Back by popular demand, Hannah White, Paul Johnson and Anand Menon reunited on stage to record a special live episode of The Expert Factor – the podcast for people who haven't had enough of experts. Nine years to the day since the UK voted to leave the EU, as the directors of three of the UK's leading think tanks – the Institute for Government, the Institute for Fiscal Studies and UK in a Changing Europe – got together to discuss, explore and explain the big questions facing Keir Starmer's Labour government and Britain's opposition parties in an increasingly unpredictable world. The event was held in partnership with UK in a Changing Europe.

To conclude our conference on the Nolan Principles, our panel discussed the impact of the Nolan Principles in public life today. How have they changed the standards landscape in the UK? What do the public think about standards in public life? How useful are standards and principles to leaders in government? And how can a strong standards system support a government's wider objectives? Speakers: Doug Chalmers, chair, Committee on Standards in Public Life Chris Morris, CEO, Full Fact Sachin Savur, researcher, Institute for Government Rowena Mason, Whitehall Editor at the Guardian This session was chaired by Tim Durrant, Programme Director at the Institute for Government

Chaired by Emma Norris, Deputy Director of the Institute for Government. This event was part of the IfG's conference on the The Nolan Principles at 30: What does the future hold for standards in public life?

Many of the public's interactions with the state are with frontline officials in health and social care, policing and local government. How much do the Nolan principles resonate with those delivering public services? How can frontline officials be supported to make ethical decisions? And how can frontline organisations prevent failures, and rebuild public trust where they occur? Speakers: Neil Basu, former Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police Helen Buckingham, Chair of National Voices Amerdeep Somal, Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman This session was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

To reflect on the topics raised during our conference on the Nolan Principles, the IfG and CSPL convened small group discussions to talk through more specific questions: What are the emerging threats and opportunities in the standards landscape? How do politics and partisanship affect the way standards are perceived? What does ethical public service leadership look like? Those joining online were able to take part in a webinar discussion on the same topics. A panel of IfG and CSPL staff reported back on the themes raised in the discussions.

Chaired by Tim Durrant, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. This event was part of the IfG's conference on the The Nolan Principles at 30: What does the future hold for standards in public life?