Institute for Government

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?

Chaired by Alex Thomas, 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?

After 30 years of the Nolan Principles, ethical scandals – from partygate to freebiegate – are still a regular feature of UK political life and public trust in politicians remains low. What role do politicians play in leading by example? How should politicians in Westminster, devolved and local governments demonstrate their commitment to the Nolan Principles? How can they show ethical leadership within their organisations? And what does upholding standards look like in different political and governmental contexts? Speakers: Paula Barker MP, member of the Commons Select Committee on Standards Roger Gough, former leader of Kent County Council Dr Melissa McCullough, Commissioner for Standards, NI Assembly Dave Penman, General Secretary, FDA This session will be chaired by Tim Durrant, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

In 1995, the prime minister’s ethics adviser Lord Nolan set out the Seven Principles of Public Life. Since then, the Nolan Principles have been the basis for the ethical standards expected of those working in the public sector, from the prime minister to civil servants to police officers – but from the expenses scandal to 'partygate', and ethical failings in the NHS, police forces and local government, standards in public life have been repeatedly under scrutiny over the last 30 years. So how have the Nolan Principles shaped public life over the last 30 years? What do ethical standards mean for the way frontline officials interact with the public? How might emerging trends like technology help or hinder public office-holders to act ethically? And as faith in politics falls and public debate coarsens, how can politicians uphold high standards of behaviour? To mark the 30th anniversary of the Nolan Principles, and to explore how ethical standards can be upheld in the future, the IfG will bring together a series of expert panels and keynote speakers – including former prime minister The Rt Hon Sir John Major KG CH – for a thought-provoking and stimulating one-day conference. This recording includes an introduction from Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the IfG, and Doug Chalmers, Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life Keynote speech: Rt Hon Sir John Major KG CH. Chaired by Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the IfG.

Rumours of a cabinet reshuffle are never far away in Westminster. So how should Keir Starmer approach the delicate task of choosing his top team? The prime minister has to strike a balance between ministers’ performance, party management and the government’s policy agenda, while being a minister is a job like no other – there are no regular performance reviews, clear handovers or annual appraisals. So how can ministers succeed in government and reach the cabinet table? What skills do they need at each rung of the ministerial ladder? How can backbench MPs prepare to become a minister? And how does the prime minister make decisions about who should serve in government? To explore these questions and more, we were joined by an expert panel, including: Kitty Donaldson, Chief Political Commentator at The i Paper Rt Hon Lucy Frazer KC, former Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Rt Hon James Purnell, CEO of Flint Global and former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions The event was chaired by Tim Durrant, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

The 2025 spending review on 11 June is a critical moment for Keir Starmer’s government. Almost a year since Labour’s general election victory, Rachel Reeves will set budgets for departments up to 2028/29 – which will cover most of the rest of the parliament. But the chancellor is facing difficult choices – and her decisions will reveal a great deal about this government’s priorities. Will the spending allocations be sufficient to improve public services, deliver growth and make progress on the government’s other missions? Which departments will be pleased – and which will lose out? And will 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

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. 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.

After a decade of tight funding settlements and the Covid-19 pandemic, Wes Streeting is the latest health secretary trying to improve NHS productivity. But what can the government do to ensure the NHS spends its budget – due to be more than £200bn in 2025/26 – more effectively? This event, held in partnership with the Health Foundation, explored what the NHS can do to improve productivity – which is vital to improve the quality of services for patients, ensure the NHS is financially sustainable and provide value for money for taxpayers. What improvements in productivity and health outcomes can technology really deliver? What lessons are there from previous governments’ attempts to make efficiency savings? What options does Streeting really have to drive through reforms? What effect – if any – will the abolition of NHS England and cuts to integrated care boards’ budgets have on driving productivity to improve performance? To discuss these questions and more, we were joined by an expert panel including: Helen Buckingham, Chair of Trustees at National Voices Anita Charlesworth, Senior Economic Advisor at the Health Foundation Caroline Clarke, Regional Director of the NHS in London Rachel Sylvester, Political Editor at the Observer The event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. This event was held in partnership with The Health Foundation.