Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government

Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government

Author: Institute for Government Language: English Episodes: 50
Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government picks up the conversation where the headlines leave off. With a new Labour administration in place after fourteen years, the sheer scale of its agenda comes into sharp focus. This podcast, from the Institute for Government, digs into the practical realities of governing. Each episode moves beyond the political rhetoric to examine how policies are actually made and implemented, exploring the pressures on public services and the civil service tasked with delivering change. We consider the government's ambitious missions and whether ideas like leveraging AI or fostering a new culture can genuinely "rewire" the state to meet complex challenges. The discussions aim to identify where government is functioning effectively and, just as importantly, where the obstacles lie. By speaking with experts, analysts, and those with firsthand experience, the series provides a clear-eyed look at the mechanics of power and the ongoing effort to turn political goals into tangible results. It’s for anyone curious about the forces that shape our public institutions and the day-to-day work of making government happen.
Episodes
Elections 2026: Fragmentation nation  [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:06
Keir Starmer and Labour government have just faced their biggest electoral test since the 2024 general election. Reform are on the rise. The SNP have made big gains. And Plaid Cymru are making history in Wales. The conse…
Is Keir Starmer in the last chance saloon? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:07
After avoiding an ethics inquiry into the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal, what can Keir Starmer do to get the government agenda back on track? James Lyons, former director of communications in Number 10, joins the podca…
Starmer vs Robbins: Why the Mandelson row  keeps getting worse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:29
Seven days in, Westminster is still consumed by the Peter Mandelson vetting scandal. The PM has had his say. Olly Robbins - the permanent secretary that Starmer dismissed - has also given his account. So where does this…
Is the UK (and Keir Starmer) under attack? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:29
"We are underprepared. We are underinsured. We are under attack. We are not safe." George Robertson, former defence secretary and co-author of the government's strategic defence review, has issued a stark warning about B…
Who will pay the prices of war? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:07
Oil is in short supply as the Middle East conflict continues. Donald Trump has told the UK to “build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.” Economist Duncan Weldon joins the pod team to discuss wha…
Money talks: Influence and interference [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:45
What should the government do about overseas election funding and cryptocurrency donations? Philip Rycroft, who ran the newly-published Rycroft Review into foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics, joi…
Can the UK weather the Middle East storm? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:04
How prepared is the government - and how healthy is the economy - for dealing with another energy bill crisis? The podcast team review the prime minister's response and assess the UK's resilience. The chancellor has deli…
Keir Starmer and the cost of security [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:21
The conflict in the Middle East has already seen Keir Starmer fall out with Donald Trump - but will the economic fallout of war cause even bigger problems for the government? Former government adviser Tim Leunig joins th…