Welcome and  keynote speech by Blair McDougall MP, Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation

Welcome and keynote speech by Blair McDougall MP, Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation

Author: Institute for Government July 16, 2026 Duration: 51:50
This event was part of the IfG's half-day conference, Regulation in a changing world: How to meet the needs of the future? Welcome Opening remarks from Dr Hannah White OBE, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government. The minister delivered a keynote speech, and was then in conversation with Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government and David Henderson, Chief Executive Officer of Water UK.

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
Andy Burnham: What to expect from the next prime minister? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:18
Andy Burnham will surely become prime minister in a matter of weeks. But what kind of government would he lead and how can he prepare for the biggest job in British politics? As Burnham sets out his policy priorities, an…
Lessons from Covid: How to avoid fraud in future crises? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:17
The Covid-19 pandemic saw the government spend hundreds of billions of pounds to buy PPE, keep businesses afloat and avoid mass redundancies. In the heat of this once-in-a-generation crisis, decisions were made that enab…
Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP: keynote speech [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:19
The Institute for Government was pleased to welcome Kemi Badenoch to give a keynote speech on Tuesday 9 June at 10:30am. Following her speech, the Leader of the Opposition was in conversation with Dr Hannah White, Direct…