How successfully have Labour run public services?

How successfully have Labour run public services?

Author: Institute for Government November 20, 2025 Duration: 59:40
Poor public service performance was a key reason for Labour’s victory in the 2024 election. Following the new government’s first multi-year spending review and a major reshuffle, this event brough together a panel of experts to discuss how successfully Labour has managed public services since coming to office. This event brought together a panel of experts to discuss these key questions: What was Labour’s public service inheritance? How much progress has the government made on public services since the election? What impact with the spending review have on public service performance? What are the biggest public service challenges that need to be addressed over the rest of the parliament? What are the implications for the budget? As the Institute for Government published the latest edition of Performance Tracker, written in partnership with the Nuffield Foundation, which featured new analysis on the performance of public services, Amber Dellar, Stuart Hoddinott and Cassia Rowland, presented the key findings. They were joined by Stephen Bush, associate editor and columnist at the Financial Times. This event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government, with an introduction by Mark Franks at the Nuffield Foundation. This event was kindly supported by the Nuffield Foundation.

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: 100

Institute for Government
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