Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government

Michael Gove, a former UK government minister and current editor of The Spectator, reflects on his extensive career in public service. He tackles pressing issues like NHS funding crises and the challenges of healthcare privatization. Gove discusses educational reforms since 2010, stressing the need for strategic leadership consistency. He advocates for integrated approaches to justice system reform and highlights the impact of demographic changes on public services. His insights aim to guide current government efforts and inspire future leaders.

Buckle up everyone. Donald Trump has won the US presidential election and will return to the White House after an extraordinary campaign featuring criminal convictions, assassination attempts, shocking language, and so much more.So what does this tell us about the US? What does it mean for the UK? And how might the world change in the years to come? Scarlett Maguire of JL Partners, the pollsters that called the numbers right, and Michael Martins, a former US Embassy adviser, join the podcast team to explain an extraordinary week.Plus: Kemi Badenoch is the new leader of the Conservative party. We’ll take a look at what this means for the opposition.And finally: another huge story - well, at least for some parts of the IfG. A new ministerial code has been published. We’ve read it and will give you the lowdown.Alex Thomas presents.With Cath Haddon and Sachin Savur.Produced by Candice McKenzie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Budget day is over and Halloween is here - and Rachel Reeves certainly came up with some pretty scary numbers. Stewart Wood, a former adviser to Gordon Brown at the Treasury and No10, joins the podcast team to make sense of the chancellor’s statement. Will her plans - this is one of the biggest tax raising budgets in modern history - come back to haunt her? Will her new rules for borrowing spook the markets? Or will her announcements begin the process of bringing economic growth back from the near-dead?Hannah White presents.Produced by Candice McKenzie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Tom Pope, Deputy Chief Economist at the Institute for Government, Giles Wilkes, an adviser on industrial strategies, and Stuart Hoddinott, a senior researcher in public services. They dive into the significant implications of Rachel Reeves' budget, dissecting the largest tax increase in over 30 years. The panel reflects on new fiscal rules, the impact on local government funding, and how increased capital spending aims to revitalize public services. Discover what this budget reveals about the government's priorities and growth mission.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned about US politics in recent years, it’s this: don’t fall out with Donald Trump. So how have Keir Starmer and the Labour government ended up being dragged into a big row with the former - and maybe future - president? Foreign policy expert Sophia Gaston joins the podcast team to make sense of an unexpected twist in the US presidential election.The PM is in Samoa for a meeting of Commonwealth leaders. But what can the UK hope to achieve at this gathering?Plus: It has been a frenetic week of government activity, with reviews announced on the NHS, sentencing, water and more. But does this type of approach really make any difference?Emma Norris presents.With Alex Thomas and Stuart Hoddinott.Produced by Candice McKenzie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week was all about the launch of Invest 2035. Invest what? The Guardian's City Editor Anna Isaac joins the podcast team to get behind the scenes for the big government day - complete with an exclusive Elton John concert - at the Guildhall.The glitz and the glamour was designed to provide some soothing mood music ahead of the Budget - now fast approaching. We preview the latest pitch rolling. Plus: what are private members’ bills all about?Hannah White presents.With Giles Wilkes, Tom Pope and Finn Baker.Produced by Candice McKenzie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chiefs of staff aren’t meant to become the story. But Sue Gray most definitely did - until she wasn’t. So what does Keir Starmer’s No10 reset mean for how he wants to govern – and what should Labour be doing to turn around those plummeting poll rates? More in Common’s Luke Tryl joins the podcast team to explore the Downing Street job moves and examine what voters want this government to get on and deal with. Plus: For all the drama in government, it’s the Conservatives who have stunned everyone with the latest round of their leadership contest. James Cleverly is out. Which means Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick are through to face the members. So what on earth is going on…? Hannah White presents.With Nehal Davison and Jordan Urban.Produced by Candice McKenzie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Reports of dysfunction and unhappiness at the centre of government have led to Sue Gray’s departure as the prime minister’s chief of staff. In an effort to reset his top team, Keir Starmer has replaced Gray with Morgan McSweeney, and has also made a number of other key appointments to his No.10 operation. So what does this restructuring tell us about how Starmer wants to run his centre of government? What lessons should be taken from the difficulties – and disagreements – at the centre that have hindered Labour’s first 100 days in power? And what else needs to change to ensure No.10, the Cabinet Office and the Treasury deliver for the prime minister? The IfG’s final report of the Commission on the Centre of Government examined why the centre has failed successive prime ministers – and the early experiences of Keir Starmer’s administration have underlined, yet again, the urgent need to implement the Centre Commission’s seven recommendations for radical reform to create strengthened, united political leadership at the heart of government. This webinar explored Gray’s exit, assess Starmer’s reset, and discuss the IfG’s recommendations for reform. Our expert panel included:  Sam Freedman, Author of Failed State and Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government Dr Catherine Haddon, Programme Director at the Institute for Government Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government  This event was chaired by Tim Durrant, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Not even the torrential rain seemed to dampen the high spirits of the Conservative party conference. So what's going on? Scarlett Maguire of JL Partners joins the pod team to explore what happened in Birmingham and which of the party’s would-be leaders emerged as the front runner.With the attention of the lobby elsewhere, the government no doubt breathed a sigh of relief. But the bruising accounts of gifts and donations aren't going away, and all does not seem entirely happy at the heart of Keir Starmer's team. Is it going to get better any time soon?Plus: IfG pulses are racing after news that there is going to be a new Cabinet Secretary. The biggest job in the civil service is up for grabs after Simon Case confirmed that he'll be stepping down. So who are the front runners and what are the qualities that Keir Starmer should be looking for?Emma Norris presents.With Cath Haddon and Alex Thomas.Produced by Candice McKenzie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The IfG team is up in Liverpool for Labour's first party conference since winning the general election - and the party's first in government since 2009.  So, what's the mood? Has Keir Starmer managed to shift the narrative away from freebies and falling-outs? Does the annual party get together tell us anything about how government is working? And what should we be looking out for as the Conservatives prepare to meet in Birmingham? The Sunday Times' Gabriel Pogrund, Bloomberg's Ailbhe Rea and UK in a Changing Europe’s Anand Menon join Cath Haddon and Alex Thomas for a special live recording of Inside Briefing.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices