Afleveringen
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Civil servants are already using AI for a variety of purposes, from summarising and analysing data to drafting correspondence. The new Labour government sees AI as a route to greater productivity and growth, both within government and beyond.
Bringing together the themes of two private roundtables hosted by the Institute for Government in partnership with Scott Logic, this public event explored the use of AI in policy and communications, and for civil service effectiveness.
How are public servants making use of AI in their work?
How should government’s own use of AI inform its broader approach to AI’s development and regulation?
And how can government distinguish between panic, hype and useful applications of AI and other emerging technologies?
To discuss these questions and more, this event brought together an expert panel featuring:
Duncan Brown, Head of Software Engineering at the Incubator for AI
Matthew Gill, Programme Director at the Institute for Government
Jess McEvoy, Principal Consultant at Scott Logic
Jeni Tennison, Founder and Executive Director of Connected by Data
The event was chaired by Gavin Freeguard, Associate at the Institute for Government.
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The biggest challenges UK government faces, from tackling low economic growth to addressing regional inequalities, adapting to climate change and transforming public service performance, will need to be addressed by harnessing the insight and expertise of people from outside government itself. So what can be done to bring more external expertise into the heart of government?
This event will explore a core conclusion of the IfG Commission on the Centre of Government – that external voices need to be more embedded in decision making in No.10, the Cabinet Office and the Treasury.
The Commission's final report concluded that successive governments had failed to do enough to systemically recruit talented people from outside government and use their skills and insight.
We reflected on the Commission’s recommendations and discuss how to improve decision making by amplifying expert voices from outside government.
The panel were:
Baroness Diana Barran, former Minister for Civil Society
Sir Ian Cheshire, Chair of Channel 4 and former government lead non-executive director
Neil Heslop, Chief Executive of the Charities Aid Foundation
Dame Helen Stephenson, former Chief Executive of the Charity Commission for England and Wales
The panel will be chaired by Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government.
This event is supported by a grant from Charities Aid Foundation.
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The government’s approach to procurement is entering a new era. Significant reforms to the UK's post-Brexit procurement legislation, set out in the Procurement Act, will redefine how public sector organisations acquire goods, services, and human resources as new rules and opportunities emerge. So with almost £400bn a year spent on public procurement, how ready are public bodies and suppliers for the Procurement Act’s profound implications?
Drawing on IfG's extensive research and analysis on government procurement and outsourcing, this event convened a panel of experts to explore the following key questions:
What are the main changes that will be implemented under the new Procurement Act?
How prepared are public bodies and suppliers for these changes?
What impact will the changes have on procurement practice?
What are the key risks and opportunities for public bodies and suppliers?
We were joined by an expert panel, including:
Lindsay Maguire, Deputy Director for Procurement Reform Implementation at the Cabinet Office
Andy Milner, Chief Executive Officer of Amey
Peter Schofield, Head of Integrated Commissioning and Procurement at Manchester City Council
Laura Wisdom, Partner at Burges Salmon
The event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.
This event is kindly supported by Burges Salmon.
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Spending reviews, which decide how at least half a trillion pounds of annual public spending should be allocated across different public services, are one of the most consequential processes in government. The new government has announced a new review, to conclude in Spring 2025, that will determine departmental budgets for much of the current parliament. But how should ministers choose how to prioritise for spending? Should more money be spent on roads, skills, or police? What is the best way to judge the costs and benefits of each decision?
A new report from the London School of Economics, Value for Money calls for a radical change in policy making. It argues that policies should be judged using a cost-benefit analysis which includes a comprehensive valuation of their effects on wellbeing. The report argues that, judged this way, therapies for mental health and guaranteed apprenticeships give much better value for money than most new roads.
To discuss this topic, we were joined by a panel, including:
Professor Lord Richard Layard, Co-Director of the Community Wellbeing Programme at the Centre for Economic Performance, London School of Economics and co-author of Value for Money
Lord Gus O’Donnell, former Cabinet Secretary
Amanda Rowlatt, former Chief Economist at the Department for Transport, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and Department for Work and Pensions
Conrad Smewing, Director General of Public Spending in His Majesty's Treasury and Joint-Head of the Government Finance Function
The panel was chaired by Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government.
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The Labour government will have been in power for nearly two months by the time parliament returns on 2 September. We have already seen a King’s Speech, a major statement on the public finances, an overhaul of the planning system, big plans for clean power – and more. So what have we learned since Keir Starmer became prime minister – and what comes next for government and British politics?
Ministers – and opposition MPs – are braced for busy couple of months ahead. What legislation is coming down the track in parliament? How significant is Rachel Reeves’ upcoming budget? Is there more clarity about mission-led government and how the prime minister wants his No.10 to work? How is the Conservative Party leadership contest progressing? And how significant will the party conference season be for Keir Starmer, Rishi Sunak and Ed Davey?
To discuss these questions and more, this Institute for Government webinar brought together an expert panel featuring:
Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow the Institute for Government
Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government
Giles Wilkes, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government
The event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.
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A daunting public services to-do list awaits Keir Starmer and his newly elected Labour government. Most services are performing worse than on the eve of the pandemic and substantially worse than in 2010, but future funding is set to be tight. Ministers will need to make best use of existing budgets and carefully choose targets for any additional investment.
So what are the most pressing public services issues facing the new government? What will happen to service performance if Labour sticks to existing spending plans? How can services be improved without substantial spending increases? And where should any extra funding be prioritised?
To discuss these questions, and a new Institute for Government and Nuffield Foundation report on the topic, this event brought together an expert panel featuring:
Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government
Sam Freedman, Author of Failed State: Why Nothing Works and How We Fix It
Patricia Hewitt, Chair of Norfolk & Waveney NHS and former Secretary of State for Health
The event was chaired by Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government.
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The chancellor has set out her audit of public spending to MPs. Revealing what she calls a multi-billion pound “black hole” in the government finances, Rachel Reeves has vowed “to fix the mess we inherited” from the Conservative government.
So do these sums add up and what do they mean for public services? Should this inheritance come as a surprise to Labour and what does it mean for the party’s manifesto pledges? And what is Rachel Reeves’ plan – which could involve tax rises or spending cuts – for dealing with the problem?
To discuss these questions and more, we were joined by an expert panel, including:
Olly Bartrum, Senior Economist at the Institute for Government
Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government
Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government
The webinar was chaired by Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government.
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Since 2010 the UK’s capital spending on prisons, hospitals and schools has been consistently lower than many other countries – leading to crumbling buildings, creaking IT and a lack of equipment. But the size of the budgets is only part of the problem – these budgets have also been badly spent.
This will continue to hamper public service performance unless the new government takes a new approach to capital spending. So what could it do differently to achieve better outcomes? How can ministers, select committees, the Treasury, and other central government departments rethink their approach? And what steps could be taken in the next multi-year spending review?
The event began with a short presentation from Thomas Pope, outlining the main findings of a recent IfG and Grant Thornton report on this topic, Capital spending in public services: Fixing how the government invests in the NHS, schools and prisons.
To discuss these questions and more, we were joined by an expert panel, including:
• Wayne Butcher, Director at Grant Thornton UK
• Anita Charlesworth, Director of Research at the Health Foundation
• Sir Jon Coles, Group Chief Executive of United Learning and former Director General for Schools at the Department for Education
• Thomas Pope, Deputy Chief Economist at the Institute for Government.
The panel was chaired by Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government.
We would like to thank Grant Thornton UK for kindly supporting this event.
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The King’s Speech set out Sir Keir Starmer’s legislative agenda for government and revealed his priorities for the parliamentary session. Following the State Opening of Parliament, the IfG expert team – with guest Chris White, who for half a decade was responsible for managing and planning the last government’s legislative programme – explored what the King’s Speech reveals about Keir Starmer’s plans for government.
Presented by Hannah White, with Alex Thomas, Jill Rutter and Chris White.
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A general election brings the appointment of a whole host of new ministers, and on day one in government they begin a job like no other.
Former shadow ministers may be familiar with their new policy portfolio, but ministerial life is very different to opposition. The switch from leading a small team to heading up departments with hundreds or thousands of civil servants, and from issuing press releases to making life-changing policy decisions, happens overnight.
But ministers too often overlook how they can move beyond ‘on the job’ learning and get the most out of their ministerial careers. So how can ministers get the support they need to succeed in government? What benefits are there in investing in professional development? What skills do ministers and other executives need to be effective leaders? And what support is available to ministers seeking to develop their skills in government?
To explore these questions and more, we were joined by an expert panel, including:
Rt Hon Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top, former Chief Whip
Dr Paul Chapman, Senior Fellow at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
Rt Hon Chloe Smith, former Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
Ruth Turner, Senior Director at the Forward Institute and former Director of Government Relations in the Prime Minister’s Office
The event was chaired by Tim Durrant, Programme Director at the Institute for Government
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Keir Starmer used his first speech as prime minister to declare that the “work of change begins immediately”. But how will the Labour government approach the complex policy challenges that it has inherited? And how will it start making progress on new promises?
From freeing up space in crowded prisons to turning around struggling public services, delivering clean energy and kickstarting economic growth, the government’s to-do list is daunting. Labour has promised to “change how Britain is governed” in order to deliver its aims in government – but how will this work in practice? What does Labour’s ‘mission-led’ approach mean for the way government operates? How will central government work with locally elected mayors? And what do Keir Starmer’s cabinet appointments – and the way he has structured his centre of government – tell us about how his plan for government will work?
The FT’s Jen Williams joined us to discuss Keir Starmer’s first week as prime minister and what it tells us about how he intends to govern Britain.
Chaired by Hannah White with Joe Owen and Emma Norris.
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This Friday will be day one in government for the winner of the general election. But there will be no chance for anyone to catch their breath after a gruelling campaign. The job begins at once.
So what should civil servants be braced to expect as ministers are appointed to their new roles? How can special advisers best prepare for that frenetic first 24 hours? And what actually awaits a prime minister as they step through that famous No10 door?
The IfG goes behind the scenes of the first day in government after a general election – and reveals what civil servants, officials and ministers can expect to happen next.
Salma Shah, former Government special adviser (2014-2019)
Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the IfG
Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the IfG
Emma Norris, Deputy Director at the IfG (Chair)
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Manifesto launches are a significant moment in any general election campaign, and Thursday’s publication of Labour’s manifesto is a big chance for Keir Starmer to set out how his party would govern if it wins the general election on 4 July.
So how plausible are the manifesto’s plans? What are the big dividing lines with the Conservatives? How would a Labour government pay for public services? And what does the manifesto tell us about the priorities of a Labour government after 14 years in opposition?
In this General Election 2024 webinar, the Institute for Government gives an expert briefing on what is in the Labour manifesto – and what it would mean for government.
Panellists included:
Sam Freedman, author of Failed State
Stuart Hoddinott, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government
Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government
Emma Norris, Deputy Director of the Institute for Government (chair)
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Manifesto launches are a significant moment in any general election campaign, and Tuesday’s publication of the Conservative manifesto is a big opportunity for Rishi Sunak’s party to set out its vision for government if it wins the general election on 4 July.
So what are the flagship policies? Do the tax and spending numbers add up? How plausible and credible are the manifesto’s plans? And, after 14 years of power, how much of a break is this manifesto from previous Conservative policies and priorities?
In this general election 2024 webinar, the Institute for Government gives you an essential expert briefing on what is in the Conservative manifesto – and what it would mean for government.
Panellists included:
Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government
Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government
Giles Wilkes, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government
Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government (chair)
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With attention focused on politicians, and politicians focused on winning votes, a general election campaign is an unusual time for civil servants. Their top priority remains serving the government of the day, but they must also prepare for a potential transition of power, and be ready to work with whoever forms the next government.
Civil service activity is also restricted during the formal ‘pre-election period’, with civil service impartiality protected by government guidance and measures to stop public funds being used for campaigning purposes. So how should civil servants navigate this period of heightened political sensitivity? How does the work of the civil service change in the campaign? And what can civil servants do to prepare for a potential transition of power?
Ahead of the general election on 4 July, this IfG webinar explored all these questions and more, and asked what lessons can be learned from previous election campaigns and past transitions of power.
To discuss these questions and more, we were joined by:
Sir David Bell KCB DL, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sunderland and former Permanent Secretary
Catherine Haddon, Programme Director at the Institute for Government
Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government and former senior civil servant
The event was chaired by Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow, Institute for Government.
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The Rt Hon David Lammy MP set out how a foreign policy lens of ‘progressive realism’ might affect the practice of diplomacy, should Labour win the election.
The discussion covered the evolution of the Foreign Office as an institution, under both Labour and Conservative governments. It focused in particular on the balance between traditional diplomatic activity and the new demands created by climate change, global health challenges and the regulation of emerging technologies.
The Shadow Foreign Secretary also explored the convergence between domestic economic and foreign policy and its implications for how Labour's mission-driven approach would shape how Whitehall works on international issues.
Following his speech, David Lammy was in conversation with Dr Hannah White, Director of the Institute for Government, and took questions from the audience.
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The Institute for Government welcomed Lucy Powell MP, the Shadow Leader of the Commons, to give a keynote speech on how a Labour government would approach parliament, the legislative process, and the role of MPs.
With Westminster hit by a series of scandals in recent years, what can be done to restore parliament's image? How can the legislative process be improved? And how would Labour, if elected, approach the way that MPs work in parliament?
Following her speech, Lucy Powell was in conversation with Dr Hannah White, Director of the Institute for Government. She then took part in an audience Q&A.
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From attacking opposition policies to rebutting opposition attacks, selling key messages to voters and shaping media narratives, general election campaigns can be won or lost on the success of a communications strategy.
So how do the parties design and deliver their approach to the media, or to communicating beyond the media? How different are the approaches needed for print, broadcast and online? Are the challenges different for the Conservatives and Labour? What are the key moments and potential turning points in a campaign? And what happens when an unexpected event, gaffe or story threatens to derail a general election campaign?
To examine how Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer are communicating with the electorate as the general election approaches, and to explore the lessons of previous campaigns, the Institute for Government brought together people who have led communications strategies for government and the opposition, and shaped election coverage for national broadcasters and newspapers.
Anushka Asthana, Deputy Political Editor at ITV News
Lee Cain, Downing Street Director of Communications (2019–20)
James Schneider, Head of Strategic Communications for the Labour Party (2016–20)
Katy Searle, Head of BBC Westminster (2017–20) and Executive Editor of BBC Politics (2020–22)
The event was chaired by Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government.
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The success of the civil service has always depended on the recruitment and retention of exceptional individuals – and this means bringing in talented outsiders with particular skills and capabilities.
It is 170 years since the Northcote-Trevelyan report argued that people “of the highest abilities should be selected for the highest posts” in Whitehall, while the government’s most recent reform plan, the 2021 Declaration on Government Reform, argued that more external recruits were needed. So, who are the officials at the very top of the civil service – and is enough being done to recruit the best outside talent?
Why would the civil service benefit from bringing in more outsiders? Does civil service culture make it difficult to thrive as an external recruit? What sort of skills does the civil service need from expert outsiders? And what progress has been made since the Declaration on Government Reform was published?
To discuss these questions, this event featured three permanent secretaries who have all spent time working in the private sector as well for the civil service:
Gareth Davies, Permanent Secretary of the Department for Business and Trade
Cat Little, Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Office
Sarah Munby, Permanent Secretary of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Jordan Urban, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government
The event was chaired by Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.
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On Thursday 2 May 2024, voters across England and Wales will head to the polls in a major set of local and mayoral elections. The highest-profile contests will be the election of 10 influential metro mayors – including in Greater London and across the north and the midlands. Together these leaders will be responsible for over £25bn of public spending and will play a vital role in shaping the fortunes of the places they represent.
Thousands of councillors in over 100 local areas across England are also up for election, with the successful candidates taking responsibility for key public services at a time of acute financial pressures across local government. Voters will also elect 37 police and crime commissioners and the 25 members of the London Assembly.
These elections are far more important than just providing a straw in the wind for the general election to come. To discuss why these elections matter and what to expect, the Institute for Government hosted a public event with expert panellists including:
• Sarah Calkin, Editor of the Local Government Chronicle
• Sir John Curtice, Professor of Politics at Strathclyde University and Senior Research Fellow at the National Centre for Social Research
• Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government
The event was chaired by Emma Norris, Deputy Director at the Institute for Government
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