Book launch: What is immigration policy for?

Book launch: What is immigration policy for?

Author: Institute for Government April 29, 2026 Duration: 56:05
Successive UK governments have made immigration policy a high political priority, but no recent government has seemed to meet public expectations in the pursuit of those policies. So, what have recent immigration policies been trying to achieve, and why have so many people ended up unhappy with the outcome? A new book by Madeleine Sumption explores these questions. Drawing on decades of research, she explores the unavoidable trade-offs governments face, and the impacts of their choices on people and communities. To answer these questions and more, this IfG event brought together an expert panel, including: Rt Hon Amber Rudd, former Home Secretary (2016–18) and former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (2018–19) Madeleine Sumption, Director of the Migration Observatory at Oxford University and a member of the UK Government’s Migration Advisory Committee This event was chaired by Alex Thomas, Executive Director for Impact and Influence at the Institute for Government.

Ever wondered what really happens behind the doors of Whitehall? Institute for Government pulls up a chair at the table where policy is made and governance gets tested. This isn't about partisan politics or headlines; it's a deeper, more practical conversation about how the machinery of the UK government actually works-or sometimes, why it doesn't. Each episode brings you the experts from the Institute itself, along with senior civil servants, ministers, and analysts, for frank discussions that dissect the challenges of running a country. You'll hear specific case studies, analysis of major events as they unfold, and explorations of long-term issues like public service reform or the complexities of Brexit implementation. The goal is to move beyond theory and into the tangible details of effectiveness and accountability. Tuning into this podcast feels like gaining access to a privileged briefing, one that demystifies the processes that shape daily life. It’s for anyone curious about the structures of power, the art of the possible in policy, and the ongoing effort to improve how the nation is governed. Expect thoughtful, evidence-based dialogue that cuts through the noise to examine the levers of statecraft.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Institute for Government
Podcast Episodes
A state rewired? Civil service size, shape, and turnover [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:02
Our first webinar in a three-part series focused on the findings of Whitehall Monitor 2026. The first Whitehall Monitor webinar – kicking off a three-part series exploring the IfG’s annual flagship report on the civil se…
In conversation with Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, Leader of Plaid Cymru [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:01
This event took place two months before the people of Wales cast their votes in the seventh election to Senedd Cymru (the Welsh parliament) since it was established in 1999. The polls suggest that Plaid is on track to ov…
How can the government make a success of the abolition of NHS England? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:42
On 13 March 2025, Keir Starmer announced the abolition of NHS England, the arm’s-length body responsible for overseeing, planning, funding and delivering the health service – with its functions to be merged back into the…
In conversation with Eluned Morgan MS, First Minister of Wales [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:18
In 2024, Eluned Morgan MS became the sixth first minister of Wales – and the first woman to hold the role – since the dawn of devolution in 1999. She now leads Welsh Labour into the 2026 Senedd election, which will be he…