Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government
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Autumn budget 2025: What is Rachel Reeves’ plan for the economy?
26 november 2025 · 57 min
Just hours after Rachel Reeves sets out the budget to parliament, this webinar brought together a team of Institute for Government (IfG) experts to share their instant and essential analysis of the chancellor’s plans. Lees meer
Who are the winners and losers of Reeves’s tax and spending announcements? How will her measures affect economic growth? Has the chancellor finally set a coherent tax strategy? And what challenges now lie ahead for Keir Starmer’s government?
To answer these questions and more, this budget day webinar from the IfG brought together an expert line up featuring Dan Haile, Jill Rutter, and Giles Wilkes. The webinar was chaired by Dr Hannah White.
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In conversation with John Swinney MSP, First Minister of Scotland
21 november 2025 · 1 uur 4 min
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. Lees meer
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.
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John Swinney’s goals for Scotland
20 november 2025 · 34 min
The First Minister for Scotland joined the Inside Briefing team to discuss football, the political context in Scotland ahead of the UK budget, and the SNP’s vision for Scotland’s future. Lees meer
Meanwhile, the Home Secretary announced significant reforms to the UK’s asylum and migration system. We discussed how the plans landed, what might happen next and what challenges lie ahead.
And this week saw the final instalment of the IFG’s public services Performance Tracker. We talked to the team about the government’s record on public services since the election, where the greatest risks lie and what the Prime Minister needs to do to turn things around before the end of this Parliament.
Presented by Catherine Haddon.
With Nick Davies, Cassia Rowland, and Jill Rutter.
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Keir Starmer’s government: Traitors or Faithfuls?
13 november 2025 · 32 min
Ambitious Labour politicians might or might not be eyeing up the top job. No. 10 isn’t working well. The Prime Minister is on the defensive. Here we go again. Lees meer
Wes Streeting, the health secretary, is in the headlines - accused of plotting a leadership challenge against the prime minister. Streeting has dismissed the attacks as “self-defeating nonsense” and has urged Keir Starmer to sack whoever is briefing the media. So what does this all say about how Number 10 is working, or not, and what impact does this type of row have across government?
PLUS: Wes Streeting really wants to be talking about his plans for turning around NHS performance. But our new report has some mixed news about how that is going.
Catherine Haddon presents.
With Alex Thomas, Jill Rutter, and Stuart Hoddinott.
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Rachel Reeves and the art of pitch rolling the Budget
6 november 2025 · 42 min
Taxes set to rise? Spending set to be cut? Promises to be kept – or maybe broken? Whatever chancellors choose to reveal on budget day, it’s normally a good idea to let people know what they can expect… Lees meer
So has Rachel Reeves done a good job of rolling the pitch? How did former chancellors go about warming up their party, voters, the media and business? And what can they do to make sure the right people are listening
Stewart Wood and Giles Winn, former advisers to Gordon Brown and Philip Hammond, join this special Inside Briefing episode to reveal how chancellors get ahead of the big day in parliament – and give their verdict on Rachel Reeves’ attempts to set the scene for the November 26 budget.
Presented by Gemma Tetlow.
With Jill Rutter.
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Home Office truths with Shabana Mahmood
30 oktober 2025 · 30 min
The Home Office is not fit for purpose. At least that’s the verdict of the home secretary. So what’s the problem and how can it be fixed? Former home office special adviser Hannah Guerin joins the podcast team for a deep dive into the woes of one of Whitehall’s most challenging departments. Lees meer
Reform UK’s Danny Kruger has been setting out his plans for government reform. Outlandish or workable? We’ve been weighing it up.
Plus: Labour’s historic poll low. What do the numbers say about the state of British politics?
Hannah White presents.
With Alex Thomas.
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The Prisons Crisis Strikes Back
23 oktober 2025 · 35 min
Prisons nearly bursting. Court cases backlogged. Prisoners released early. It couldn’t happen again, could it? Former BBC journalist and Labour adviser Danny Shaw joins the podcast team to discuss a brand new IfG report into the state of the criminal justice system. Lees meer
In another difficult week for the government, the inquiry into grooming gangs has run into problems after at least four members of the victims and survivors panel quit in protest at how the government has handled the process so far. Can Louise Casey fix it?
Plus: Prince Andrew, the Royal family, and the government. What happens next?
Catherine Haddon presents.
With Alex Thomas and Cassia Rowland.
Produced by Milo Hynes.
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Tinker, Tailor, Starmer, Spies
16 oktober 2025 · 36 min
With the prime ministers facing awkward questions over the collapse of the Chinese spy case, the Guardian’s Gaby Hinsliff joins the podcast team to explore the row and what it says about the UK’s relations with Beijing. Lees meer
Local authorities provide services that everybody relies on, but the findings of a new IfG report into the state of local government finances and services makes for some eye-watering reading. We dig into the detail.
Plus: A big week for the government’s standards and ethics regime! Goodbye ACOBA, and hello Ethics and Integrity Commission. So how will this all work?
Hannah White presents, with Stuart Hoddinott, Amber Dellar and Tim Durrant. Produced by Milo Hynes.
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Lessons in Kemistry
8 oktober 2025 · 44 min
Lagging well behind Reform in the polls and bruised by a series of defections, the Conservative Party was in low spirits as it gathered for its party conference. Lees meer
So did party leader Kemi Badenoch answer her critics with that big stamp duty announcement? Will new Conservative policies win back voters? Do Mel Stride's spending pledges add up? And does any of this really make any difference at all?
YouGov's Patrick English joined the Inside Briefing team in Manchester to assess the state of the official opposition.
Presented by Hannah White.
With Alex Thomas and Tom Pope.
Produced by Milo Hynes.
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Gloves off: Starmer v Reform
1 oktober 2025 · 36 min
The gloves are off. And it's a fight for the soul of our country. So says Keir Starmer. So how is he planning to win it? Sophie Stowers of More in Common joins the IfG podcast team for instant reaction to the Prime Minister's speech in Liverpool - which features praise for the swagger of Oasis - and expert analysis of the Labour Party conference. Lees meer
So what does Starmer's speech say about his Nigel Farage strategy? Did the PM give any clues about the upcoming budget? And has Andy Burnham overplayed his hand?
Plus: What is going to be the big story at the Conservative Party conference?
Hannah White presents.
With Alex Thomas and Catherine Haddon.
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Starmer’s Liverpool Drama
25 september 2025 · 32 min
Labour is heading back to Liverpool for its annual conference, so what does Keir Starmer need to do to lift the party’s spirits and get some momentum behind his government? Former Number 10 adviser Tom Webb joins the podcast team to preview a massive couple of days for the prime minister and his team. Lees meer
The November budget will loom large over Liverpool – so how might the chancellor approach the tricky question of raising taxes? A new IfG report has the answers.
Plus: The Liberal Democrat conference saw Ed Davey say a lot about Nigel Farage – but what did we actually learn about where the UK’s third party is trying to position itself?
Presented by Hannah White.
With Tom Pope and Jill Rutter.
Produced by Milo Hynes.
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Trump’s State Visit: The Sequel
17 september 2025 · 32 min
The US president is in town. And the timing could probably hardly be worse for a prime minister still reeling from his sacking of Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the US. Michael Martins, a former senior official at the US embassy, joins the podcast team to preview the visit – and what Keir Starmer can actually hope to achieve from Donald Trump’s visit. Lees meer
Plus: Arriving on a Jet Ski? Ed Davey, Nick Clegg and our Liberal Democrat conference preview.
Presented by Hannah White.
With Catherine Haddon and Alex Thomas.
Produced by Milo Hynes.
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The Mandelson misjudgement
12 september 2025 · 38 min
Peter Mandelson has been sacked as the UK’s ambassador the US. But what does his downfall say about Keir Starmer’s judgment in making appointments? The Observer’s Cat Neilan joins the podcast team to weigh up the dramatic end of Mandelson’s time in Washington. Lees meer
Keir Starmer has a new team in place, with ministers hastily moved around following Angela Rayner’s dramatic departure from the cabinet – so what do all the recent personnel changes mean for where his government goes next?
Plus: Has Starmer done enough to strengthen rules around ethics? And what future headaches are looming?
Presented by Hannah White.
With Jill Rutter and Philip Nye.
Produced by Podmasters.
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Stand and deliver?
5 september 2025 · 37 min
Phase one is complete. Phase two begins. And it’s all about delivery. But just how hard is it for governments to do the delivery bit of governing? The IfG podcast team give their expert view. Lees meer
Civil servants are key to making a success of the government’s policies and priorities - perhaps none more so than the high flying fast stream. But who are they - and is this cohort doing a good job? A new IfG report reveals all.
Plus: Reform Party conference preview – we speak to former Reform head of press Gawain Towler.
Catherine Haddon presents.
With Hannah Keenan, Rebecca McKee and Teodor Grama
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What really happens at the party conferences…
28 augustus 2025 · 44 min
The party conference countdown has begun, and the Westminster Village is set to decamp to Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Bournemouth and beyond. Lees meer
But what this the point of the party conference jamboree? What is it really like to spend four days locked inside a windowless conference centre and take yp residence at t a hotel bar? How do civil servants manage this temporary Westminster exodus? And does it really make any difference at all?
Join the IfG on another trip to the Inside Briefing vault, as we dig out a fascinating episode that we recorded in 2022 with political journalist and party conference veteran Michael Crick, journalist and author Marie Le Conte, former special adviser Peter Cardwell, and the IfG’s very own Jill Rutter.
Presented by Alex Thomas and Hannah White.
Produced by Candice McKenzie
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Getting It Right When Things Go Wrong: Ministerial Leadership During Crises
21 augustus 2025 · 21 min
All governments face crises, from floods and diseases to riots and terrorist attacks. Lees meer
So how can ministers lead during these unexpected events? How can they ensure that everyone in the system – from the first responders to the prime minister – is doing what is needed to respond to the crisis? And what are the best ways to keep the public informed?
With guests including former home secretaries Amber Rudd and Jack Straw, this special Inside Briefing episode dives into the roles ministers play during crises, and looks at how they can prepare for the unexpected.
Read our related report: Ministerial leadership during crises
Presented by Tim Durrant.
Produced by Milo Hynes.
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The secrets of being a government minister
14 augustus 2025 · 28 min
Being a minister is a job like no other. No briefing, no training and, sometimes, no warning – from day one a new minister could find themselves making high-stakes decisions with huge consequences for the country. Lees meer
So getting some advice from people that have been a minister can be useful – and the IfG’s Ministers Reflect series is the place to start.
Over the past 10 years, the Institute for Government has interviewed more than 170 former ministers from the UK and devolved governments about their time in office
To mark the 10th anniversary of Ministers Reflect, this special edition of Inside Briefing, featuring guests including Jeremy Hunt, Una O’Brien and Marie Le Conte, takes a look at what former ministers have told us in the last decade. Essential listening for anyone wanting to understanding what it is like to be a minister – and especially for anyone who might want to become one.
Presented by Sachin Savur and Paddy McAlary
Produced by Candice McKenzie
Additional recordings by Milo Hynes
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Government in summer: who feels the heat?
7 augustus 2025 · 43 min
What is it really like to govern in summer? Who is in charge when ministers leave Westminster? And what happens when, as it so often does, the summer isn’t all that quiet? Lees meer
The Inside Briefing podcast team have headed into the vaults to dig out a special episode from 2021 featuring Sky’s Sam Coates, former (and future) minister Jacqui Smith, journalist Steve Richards and former No10 adviser Kate Fall.
So join us we return to a time when Boris Johnson was prime minister, Keir Starmer was barely a year into his tenure as leader of the opposition, and Nigel Farage was a few months into his recently announced retirement from politics and busy making Cameo messages.
Presented by Hannah White and Alex Thomas.
Original podcast recording by PodmastersUpdated edits by Candice McKenzie
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The reshuffle revelations
31 juli 2025 · 36 min
Kemi Badenoch has completed one. Keir Starmer is rumoured to be lining one up. Yes reshuffles, or rumours of ministerial reshuffles, are never far away in Westminster. Lees meer
So what should ministers fear? What should the prime minister avoid? When do reshuffles go right? And why do they sometimes go wrong?
With special guests Cleo Watson and Helen Macnamara, who have had front row seats alongside prime ministers for countless reshuffles, this special Inside Briefing episode takes you behind the No10 front door to reveal the inside story of one of Westminster’s favourite – and most feared – events.
Presented by Cath Haddon. With Tim Durrant.
Produced by Milo Hynes.
Cleo Watson is a former special adviser to Boris Johnson.
Helen MacNamara was Director General of Propriety and Ethics and then Deputy Cabinet Secretary .
Tim Durrant leads the IfG’s ministers work..
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STARMER LAYS DOWN THE RULES
25 juli 2025 · 42 min
Partygate, revolving doors, freebiegate and cash for questions... stories about misbehaviour in public life are never far away, and this week the government has set out new plans for toughening up the rules. Doug Chalmers, who will chair the new Ethics and Integrity Commission, joins the Inside Briefing team for an exclusive interview. Lees meer
From setting up new bodies to abolishing existing ones. A new report has been published on the state of the water industry - and it says that Ofwat, the water regulator, needs to be scrapped.
Plus: The reshuffle that wasn’t - and the one that was.
Hannah White presents.
With Tim Durrant and Matthew Gill.
Produced by Candice McKenzie.
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The scandal and the superinjunction
18 juli 2025 · 49 min
The Afghan data leak – and the unprecedented superinjunction which followed – has dominated the week in Westminster. The FT’s Lucy Fisher – whose reporting has led coverage of the story – joins the podcast team to discuss who is to blame and what this episode tells us about how the state reacts when mistakes are made. Lees meer
The story knocked Rachel Reeves off the front pages, but the chancellor has made a big speech this week. We’ll check in with what she had to say.
Plus: The government has just set out some new reforms on voter ID, electoral fraud and, most eye-catching of all, on lowering the voting age. The Inside Briefing team give their instant reaction.
Catherine Haddon presents.
With Gemma Tetlow and Alex Thomas.
Produced by Candice McKenzie.
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Starmer and Macron: Le Spécial Relationship?
11 juli 2025 · 50 min
The Prime Minister has racked up the visits, tours and summits over the last year, but this week he turned host and invited President Macron for a state visit. Former Europe minister David Lidington joins the podcast team to assess the state of UK-French relations. Lees meer
This week has brought us a major new review of criminal courts – with some big recommendations to easing the court case backlog in England and Wales. So what’s the plan - and will it work?
Plus: The government has published a new bill on devolution. And it’s a big one….
Hannah White presents
With Jill Rutter, Akash Paun and Cassia Rowland.
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Ending in tears: Labour’s first year in government
4 juli 2025 · 58 min
It is one year since the general election brought Labour back to government and since Keir Starmer walked into Number 10. Lees meer
Instead of a smooth anniversary, the government has been forced to confront a major parliamentary rebellion and roll back on a flagship spending policy.
So how has Labour’s first year in power really worked out for Keir Starmer? What lessons can they learn for the challenges ahead?
Jill Rutter, Claire Ainsley and Sam Freedman join Hannah White to weigh up the government’s highs and lows - and what comes next.
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Starmer vs the Labour rebels
27 juni 2025 · 36 min
The government’s controversial plans to cut the welfare budget have caused serious disquiet on the Labour benches. Luke Sullivan, former political director to Keir Starmer, joins the IfG podcast to explore how serious a problem this is for Keir Starmer - and how the government got itself into this situation.It isn’t just Labour MPs that are giving No10 a headache. Apparently civil servants are too - because No10 has issued new guidance demanding that civil servants no longer speak on panels at public events. So what’s the thinking behind this heavy handed approach - and does it add up? Lees meer
Presented by Cath Haddon With Alex Thomas and Tim Durrant.
Produced by Candice McKenzie
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What do the Nolan Principles mean today?
20 juni 2025 · 46 min
To conclude the IfG’s conference on the Nolan Principles, our panel will discuss 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? Lees meer
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
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Iran-Israel conflict: Will Trump (and Starmer) go to war?
20 juni 2025 · 48 min
With conflict in the Middle East is dominating the headlines, the New Statesman’s Rachel Cunliffe joins the podcast team to explore Keir Starmer’s attempts to influence Donald Trump and ask whether the UK has a role to play beyond that of a concerned bystander. Lees meer
There is plenty of domestic politics around too, with the prime minister announcing an inquiry into grooming gangs - having said, only a few months ago, that he wouldn’t – and the government trying to face down a rebellion over its welfare budget cuts.
Plus: John Major at the IfG and what comes next for government standards and ethics.
Presented by Hannah White.
With Catherine Haddon.
Produced by Candice McKenzie
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The morning after the Spending Review before
12 juni 2025 · 44 min
It’s the morning after one of (perhaps the) most significant days in this government’s lifetime to date. Gideon Skinner of IPSOS joins the podcast team to weigh up what Rachel Reeves’ Spending Review told us about the government’s priorities – and how it has landed with the electorate. Lees meer
Which departments will be happy and which will be feeling hard done by? What does it mean for public service performance across the country? Has the much-heralded vision of mission-led government survived? And how many levers does it leave chancellor – and, of course, for Keir Starmer – to pull if things don’t work out?
Presented by Hannah White, with Tom Pope and Giles Wilkes. Produced by Candice McKenzie
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What choices did the government make in the 2025 spending review?
11 juni 2025 · 49 min
Join IfG experts for instant analysis of the 2025 spending review – a critical moment for Keir Starmer’s government. Lees meer
Were the spending allocations sufficient to improve public services, deliver growth and make progress on the government’s other missions? Which departments will be pleased – and which lost out? And did this multi-year spending review reveal a coherent strategy for the government over the next few years?
To answer these questions and more, IfG experts convened shortly after the chancellor’s announcement to provide their initial analysis.
The webinar was chaired by Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government, with a panel including:
Nick Davies, Programme Director for Public Services at the Institute for Government
Ben Paxton, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government
Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government
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In conversation with Jeremy Hunt MP: Britain's place in the world
10 juni 2025 · 32 min
Britain has been through a difficult period since the global financial crisis, leading many to conclude the country is doomed to inevitable decline. But Jeremy Hunt, who was at the top of government as both Foreign Secretary and Chancellor, disagrees. In his new book, Can We Be Great Again?, he sets out to rebut those who think Britain is no longer capable of shaping the world we live in. Lees meer
With the election of president Trump, a world that was already becoming more dangerous has also become more unpredictable. But when it comes to the big challenges facing the world – whether on European security, the future of democracy, migration, trade and climate – the UK remains one of the most influential countries and should, Hunt says, use that influence wisely. Hunt does not shy away from the UK’s weaknesses but argues that they should be considered in perspective and without underestimating this country’s many strengths.
To discuss his new book and the questions it raises, Jeremy Hunt was in conversation with Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government.
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Keir Starmer gets ready for war
6 juni 2025 · 37 min
The newly-published Strategic Defence Review sets out how the UK can fight and win a full-scale war. So what is it recommending and just how dangerous is the world right now? Tom Newton Dunn, presenter of The General and the Journalist podcast, joins the podcast team to make sense of an ever-shifting – and alarming – defence landscape. Lees meer
Plus: Spending Review countdown. This Wednesday will see Rachel Reeves reveal how much money government departments will be given for the next few years. So what choices are facing the chancellor? How much money does she have to play with? And what will her decision reveal about the government’s priorities?
Presented by Hannah White.
With Alex Thomas and Gemma Tetlow.
Produced by Milo Hynes.
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How will Starmer rate his ministers
30 mei 2025 · 46 min
It is one year since the 2024 general election campaign kicked off and already reshuffle rumours are doing the rounds. Adam Payne, Editor of PoliticsHome, joins us to discuss whether a reshuffle is a good way to inject energy into a not-so-new government or risks knocking it off course. Lees meer
The spending review is looming, and in time-honoured tradition the final negotiations are playing out in the media. We will look at what lies behind these stories and what being in a spending review is really like.
Plus: We look back at some of the ministers who left government in 2024, who shared their reflections with us in our latest Ministers Reflect interviews.
Presented by Hannah White
With Tim Durrant, Gemma Tetlow and Patrick McAlary
Produced by Candice McKenzie
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THE ART OF THE BREXIT DEAL
22 mei 2025 · 55 min
Keir Starmer has signed off on a so-called UK/EU reset. So, what’s in the new deal and what does it mean for the never-ending Brexit drama? The Guardian’s Kiran Stacey joins the podcast team to dig into the detail. Lees meer
Davie Gauke has been uncorked. So, what is in his review of prison sentencing? The team dig into his recommendations and give their verdict.
Plus: Nick Clegg is back! The former deputy prime minister returned to the British political stage with a big speech at the IfG this week - and he also sat down for an exclusive interview for Inside Briefing. So, is it time to reevaluate the coalition?
Presented by Jill Rutter.
With Giles Wilkes and Cassia Rowland
Produced by Candice McKenzie
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Starmer and the strangers
16 mei 2025 · 43 min
After Keir Starmer made headlines with his warnings of an “island of strangers”, British Future’s Sunder Katwala joins the podcast team to dig into the detail of the government’s new immigration policy. Lees meer
Farewell to 102 Petty France - and a few other Whitehall buildings too. The government is dispersing civil servants to new locations around the country. Will the plan work?
Plus: Why the government needs to fundamentally shift its strategy for tackling homelessness.
Presented by Hannah White.
With Hannah Keenan, Sachin Savur and Amber Dellar.
Produced by Candice McKenzie.
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The Trump-Starmer trade deal: What’s the beef?
9 mei 2025 · 41 min
Will white smoke on two trade deals help shift the narrative for Keir Starmer after a tricky week? Peter Foster, the FT’s new world trade editor, joins the podcast team to dig into the details of breakthrough agreements with both the US and India. Lees meer
Perhaps a bigger win for the government would be to achieve that elusive reset with the EU. A big summit is looming. So what is on the table and is progress on the cards?
Plus: The reshuffle rumour mill is in overdrive. Who is up? Who is in? Who is out? No, we’re not talking about ministers. This time it’s the changing of the permanent secretary guard. And the IfG is watching closely.
Hannah White presents.
With Jill Rutter and Alex Thomas.
Produced by Simon Williams for Podmasters
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Local elections: Ready for Reform?
6 mei 2025 · 50 min
Votes have been counted – well, most of them. So what do Thursday’s elections for four regional mayors, more than 1000 councillors and the new MP for Runcorn and Helsby mean for British politics, Keir Starmer and the Labour government’s devolution agenda? Lees meer
Another big election has taken place too – and that’s in Canada. Mark Carney – remember him? – has won the general election, and in doing so turned around months of terrible polling for the now still ruling Liberal Party. So how did he do it and what does it mean for the UK?
Plus: The data on school absence is moving in the wrong direction. Moira Wallace, who used to run Tony Blair’s Social Exclusion Unit, joins the podcast team to tell us what Keir Starmer needs to do – and how he could learn from the last Labour government.
Presented by Catherine Haddon with Akash Paun and Alex Thomas.
Music: ‘Everything to Me [Instrumental]’ by Notize courtesy of artlist.io
Produced by Candice McKenzie
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Are Starmer and Badenoch making plans for Nigel?
25 april 2025 · 52 min
As Labour jostles with Reform for polling points and the Conservatives debate the merits of cosying up to Nigel Farage's party, More in Common's Luke Tryl joins the podcast team to take stock of the polls - and what they might say about the upcoming local elections. Lees meer
With Rachel Reeves still looking nervously at the economic data and Donald Trump making increasingly hard-to-follow statements about tariffs, we assess the chancellor's trip to Washington.
Plus: Are people satisfied with their GPs? A new IfG paper reveals all.
Presented by Hannah White.
With Jill Rutter, Tom Pope and Stuart Hoddinott.
Produced by Candice McKenzie.
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Extra: What is the role of big suppliers in government procurement?
15 april 2025 · 52 min
Procurement is central to the operation of modern government but, following a series of high-profile scandals, is often controversial. Much of the criticism has focused on the role of the biggest suppliers, some of whom have become household names for the wrong reasons. But who are these big suppliers and how dependent is the government on them?
This special episode of Inside Briefing will tell you everything you need to know about how much the government actually spends with big suppliers, the kind of services these companies provide, how well do they perform compared to other suppliers, and how effective the government is at holding them to account.
With IfG programme director Nick Davies, former Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude, Capita Public Service CEO Richard Holroyd, the TUC’s Director of Organising Public Services and Skills Sian Elliott, and Gus Tugendhat, Founder of Tussell.
This podcast episode is kindly supported by Tussell. Produced by Candice McKenzie.
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Trump’s Tariff Turnaround
11 april 2025 · 40 min
As Donald Trump pauses his trade war (well, except in the case of China) the podcast team are joined by economist and author Duncan Weldon to make sense of the president’s wild economic rollercoaster ride – and the uncomfortable choices it means for Keir Starmer.
The PM and his team have some levers to pull, and this week they eached for a familiar one labelled ‘Quango Bonfire’. So what has been announced, and will it work? Plus: What does the government want to do about immigration? A white paper is on the way. But an IfG paper is out now.
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Trump Declares War: Tariff Liberation Day
4 april 2025 · 41 min
The rules of global trade have been dramatically ripped up by Donald Trump. So what is the US president’s tariff plan actually meant to do? Has a global trade war started? How big a hit will the UK economy take? And what options does Keir Starmer have to fight back? Lees meer
The government urgently needs to inject some growth into the economy, but can Whitehall make that happen? Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, joins the podcast to argue for more powers to be given away by London.
Plus: Who reviews the reviews? The government has launched a lot of them. But will they succeed? A new IfG report has set out its verdict. We’ll talk to its authors.
Tim Durrant presents.
With Giles Wilkes, Jill Rutter and Ben Paxton.
Produced by Milo Hynes
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Will Trump rip up Reeves’s rebalanced books?
28 maart 2025 · 49 min
Spring has nearly sprung, but the fiscal forecasts made for a rather gloomy spring statement for Rachel Reeves. Stewart Wood, a Labour peer and former adviser to Gordon Brown, joins the podcast team to assess the state of the economy - and Reeves’s attempts to turn it around.
How much will welfare cuts upset Labour backbenchers? What could Donald Trump's tariffs mean for Reeves's plans? And just how difficult are the choices awaiting the chancellor as the spending review approaches? Lees meerPlus: New IfG research focuses on left behind groups - and sets out some of the tensions in how the government is approaching one of its missions and milestones.
Presented by Alex Thomas.
With Jill Rutter, Gemma Tetlow and Sophie Metcalfe.
Produced by Candice McKenzie.
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Will Rachel Reeves and Darren Jones’ sums add up?
21 maart 2025 · 45 min
With Rachel Reeves just days away from setting out her spring statement to parliament, chief secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones MP drops into the podcast studio to discuss the Treasury’s new plans for watching the pennies. Lees meer
So what could the chancellor do? What shouldn’t the chancellor do? The podcast team weigh up her options - and analyse the government’s controversial welfare reforms.
Plus: IfG senior fellow and public policy expert Nick Timmins gives his expert take on the big decision to abolish NHS England.
Presented by Emma Norris.
With Cath Haddon and Tom Pope.
Produced by Candice McKenzie.
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Keir Starmer rewires the state: An interview with the prime minister
13 maart 2025 · 43 min
Minutes after setting out his plans for reforming the civil service, abolishing NHS England, and ending ministerial reliance on quangos, Keir Starmer joined Inside Briefing for an exclusive interview with IfG director Hannah White. Lees meer
So what type of civil service does the PM need to deliver his missions? Why does he want to close down NHS England? And what should officials and ministers prepare for as the PM’s reform agenda becomes reality?
Following the prime minister’s interview, Hannah was joined by Alex Thomas, Emma Norris, Stuart Hoddinott and former cabinet secretary Gus O’Donnell for expert analysis of the PM’s speech and his interview.
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Will Ukraine be “Keir Starmer’s Falklands - or his Iraq”?
7 maart 2025 · 38 min
So much has happened since that explosive – and unsettling – White House press conference bust-up between Donald Trump and Vlodymer Zelensky, but does Keir Starmer have a workable plan for peace? UKICE’s Anand Menon joins the podcast team to reflect on another extraordinary week of UK/US/EU relations. Lees meer
Despite the focus on international affairs, the government also needs to deal with tough spending choices with not a lot of money to spend. After the aid budget, what could be next to face some cuts?
PLUS: What is going wrong with prisons in England and Wales? A new IfG reports reveals some stark data – and sets out how to turn performance around.Hannah White presents.
With Jill Rutter and Anand Menon
Produced by Candice McKenzie
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Starmer and Trump: special relationship or odd couple?
28 februari 2025 · 50 min
Keir Starmer has completed his first visit to the White House – and delivered a letter from King Charles to Donald Trump. So just how special is the special relationship looking this weekend? Defence expert Karin von Hippel, formerly of RUSI, joins the podcast team to look back on a huge week for international relations. Lees meer
Does the PM’s plan to boost defence spending by cutting the international aid budget add up. We’ll look at the sums - and weigh up the consequences of this trade-off.
PLUS: The boss of the NHS is on the way out and local government finances are under massive pressure.
Presented by Hannah White.
With Alex Thomas and Stuart Hoddinott
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What is the UK’s place in Trump’s world?
21 februari 2025 · 45 min
With Donald Trump making a series of headline-making statements on Ukraine and its leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, former national security adviser Peter Ricketts joins the podcast team to make sense of America’s place in the world – and what it means for the UK and Europe. Lees meer
British politicians have been scrambling to respond, not least defence secretary John Healey - who this week was speaking at the IfG on a stage bedecked with union flags. We’ll catch up with what Healey had to say, and try and make sense of what Trump is up to.
Plus: Something a little bit lighter. We’ve got a new batch of our ‘ministers reflect’ interviews out, this time featuring Matt Hancock. We’ll give you the highlights.
Alex Thomas presents.
With Cath Haddon and Paddy McAlaryProduced by Candice McKenzie
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In conversation with John Healey MP, Secretary of State for Defence
18 februari 2025 · 41 min
The Institute for Government was delighted to welcome Rt Hon John Healey MP, Secretary of State for Defence, to discuss his priorities for reforming UK defence. Lees meer
With war in Europe, instability in the Middle East and a new US administration, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has taken centre stage during the Labour government’s first six months in power. But with increasing threats, how will the MOD ensure it stays ahead of the UK’s adversaries and deliver maximum value for taxpayers? How will it contribute to the government’s missions, particularly economic growth?
Healey opened the event with brief remarks on his defence reform programme, after which he was in conversation with Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government, before taking questions from the audience.
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Starmer’s border crackdown, Trump’s Ukraine sellout
14 februari 2025 · 39 min
Valentine’s Day is upon us... but there doesn’t seem to be a great deal of love for Keir Starmer and his government right now. So what is the PM going to do about it? Commentator Ian Dunt joins the podcast team to weigh up Labour's latest policy blitz – this time on immigration – and what seems to be ever-increasing pressure on chancellor Rachel Reeves. Lees meer
Plus: What does Donald Trump’s statement on Ukraine mean for the UK, not least our defence secretary and the armed forces?
Hannah White presents, with Joe Owen. Produced by Candice McKenzie.
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Keir Starmer: Leader or HR Manager?
7 februari 2025 · 47 min
Gabriel Pogrund, Whitehall Editor of the Sunday Times, joins the podcast team to discuss his new book Get In, which is being billed as the definitive account of Labour’s reinvention under Keir Starmer. Lees meer
The prime minister is continuing his mission to reset UK/EU relations, all while trying to work out what a relationship with Donald Trump’s America should look like. We’ll take a look at the PM’s diplomatic headaches.
Plus: Local elections. Or rather, no local elections. The government has postponed a batch of them. So what’s going on?
Hannah White presents.
With Jill Rutter and Akash Paun.
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Does Rachel Reeves have a runway to growth?
31 januari 2025 · 37 min
No more talk of blackholes. No more doom. No more gloom. So what is Rachel Reeves’ plan for economic growth all about? Times columnist Sebastian Payne joins the podcast team as they make their way through the chancellor’s vision of reservoirs, runways and the UK’s own Silicon Valley – and ask whether government is really set up to make it all happen. Lees meer
Plus: Ministers Reflect devolved government special! Nicola Sturgeon, Humza Yousaf and Mark Drakeford feature in a brilliant new batch of IfG interviews – and they have plenty to say about Brexit, Boris Johnson and making devolved government work.
Presented by Nick Davies.
With Gemma Tetlow and Millie Mitchell
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The Southport attacks: Has terrorism changed?
24 januari 2025 · 50 min
The details of how Axel Rudakubana, the Southport killer, plotted his attack have forced the government into action. Ciaran Martin, the former CEO of the National Cyber Security Centre, joins the podcast team to discuss Keir Starmer's response - and his decision to put tech firms in the spotlight.
The government also had some more positive tech announcements to make this week, so will its grand plans for overhauling digital services - in an attempt to boost productivity - really work?
Plus: Darren Jones’ big plans to do the spending review differently
Hannah White presents.
With Cassia Rowland and Tom Pope.
Produced by Candice McKenzie
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