IfG Events

In 2020 the Chancellor told the Conservative Party Conference that “this Conservative government will always balance the books”. But the economic fallout of the Coronavirus crisis has led to record borrowing, an increasing debt and a depressed outlook for the economy – and likely tax revenues – in the medium term. As the pandemic continues, so will the government’s role in supporting the economy –...

The government is set to publish its Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy. Its conclusions will shape the UK’s approach to national security and determine how the government sees the UK’s place in the world but the review's impact goes beyond foreign policy. This Institute for Government event discussed how the review will shape the government’s domestic agenda, w...

In the first of a series of events with leading UK politicians in the run-up to May’s devolved and local elections, the Institute for Government was delighted to welcome Douglas Ross MP. The leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist party discussed the state of the Union, the 2021 election, how devolution might evolve over the coming years, and what he would seek to change in how Scotland i...

This is an audio recording of an IfG Live Event   It has been a rocky first six weeks for the Northern Ireland protocol, which came into force on 31 December last year. Since the UK left the Brexit transition period, Northern Ireland has seen empty supermarket shelves, cancelled deliveries, and retailers temporarily pulling some products. Then came the UK’s vaccines row with the EU, and the EU’s t...

The Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, chairman of the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee, joined IfG director Bronwen Maddox for an in-conversation event to discuss the government’s use of science advice to shape the UK’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Throughout the conversation they discussed: How does science advice feed into government decisions? Have ministers understood how bes...

This is an audio recording of an IfG Live Event The UK’s energy policy is at a critical turning point, with the government facing several key decisions as it tries to meet the UK’s ambitious 2050 net zero target. The energy white paper, published in December 2020, was an important step, but there are big questions over the future of nuclear power, how to support technologies like carbon capture an...

This is an audio recording of an IfG Live Event   The Institute for Government was delighted to welcome the Rt Hon Andrea Leadsom MP, former Leader of the House of Commons, for an in conversation event to discuss the following: How has parliament adapted to the pandemic and does it have the requirement to embrace technology accelerated reform? Is it time to reform the House of Commons Commission,...

This is an audio recording of an IfG Live Event The Institute for Government was delighted to launch the 2021 edition of Whitehall Monitor. This is our flagship annual report which provides a data-driven analysis of the size, shape and performance of government. The 2021 edition looks in depth at how the Covid-19 pandemic and the preparations for the end of the Brexit transition period have change...

This is an audio recording of an IfG Live Event The Institute for Government hosted the annual lecture by Bronwen Maddox, its director. In her speech, Bronwen looked at the government’s performance in the extraordinary circumstances of 2020 and what 2021 might bring. Her discussion was followed by a response from Professor David Runciman and the event was chaired by Sir Richard Lambert. #IfGDirect...

This is an audio recording of an IfG Live Event On 31 December 2020 at 11pm the UK entered a new relationship with the EU – ushering in huge changes for businesses, individuals and government. The Northern Ireland protocol also took effect, introducing new customs and regulatory barriers between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.  Formal negotiations are now done, but there is much still to do as...

This is an audio recording of an IfG Live Event   The UK left the transition period at 11pm 31 December 2020. The new EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement now governs the UK’s trading and security relationship with the EU. But Brexit is still not done.   As businesses adjust to new arrangements and the government grapples with the implications of the Christmas Eve deal, the Institute for Governme...

As the 31 December deadline approaches, and with the text of the EU/UK deal made available just days before the UK leaves the transition period, this episode of IfG LIVE brings together a panel of business and Brexit experts to discuss what will change on 1 January 2021, how businesses are preparing, and what more the government should do to provide support.   Panellists:   Dr Anna Jerzewska, inde...

The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement was published on Christmas Eve, just a week before the transition period was due to end.   So what does the deal mean for the UK – and for its relationship with the EU? What will change for businesses? How will data be shared? Will the EU and the UK continue to work closely on security issues? How was the contentious issue of fishing finally sorted? And wh...

The Institute for Government is delighted to welcome Sir John Kingman to share his thoughts on the need for reform in the Civil Service and how to do it. He is in conversation with Bronwen Maddox, Director of the Institute for Government. Sir John Kingman has been the Chairman of UKRI (UK Research and Innovation) since 2016. He is a former Second Permanent Secretary at HM Treasury. He is also Chai...

This is an audio recording of an IfG Live Event. The new year will be pivotal for British diplomacy, with the UK hosting the G7 presidency and co-chairing the COP26 conference in 2021. Both will be opportunities to introduce Global Britain to the world stage and take place in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic which has shown the potential benefits of deepening international research collaborati...

This is an audio recording of an IfG Live Event. There are just three weeks to go until the end of the Brexit transition period when, deal or no deal, there will be sweeping changes to how businesses trade with the EU. As preparations enter their final stages, experts from different sectors discuss how ready businesses are for the changes ahead, what more needs to be done and what the government c...

This is an audio recording of an IfG Live Event   Data is increasingly fundamental to modern life, with the free flow of information around the EU enabling businesses to provide services, law enforcement agencies to collaborate, and more.   The UK will lose easy access to this data after Brexit, resulting in enormous disruption – unless it can secure an 'adequacy' decision, where the European Comm...

This is an audio recording of an IfG Live Event   Dominic Cummings’s departure from Downing Street gives the government an opportunity to reassess how it uses special advisers. Will this crucial role change now that the prime minister’s chief adviser has left No.10? Should No.10 continue to have direct oversight of SpAds, or should the government return to a system of SpAds reporting directly to t...

This is an audio recording of an IfG Live Event   Support for Scottish independence is rising, with opinion polls showing a clear majority of Scots wanting Scotland to leave the UK. However, Boris Johnson’s government is committed to holding the union together and does not want to agree to a second independence referendum, although the SNP will try to use the results of the 2021 Scottish parliamen...

This is an audio recording of an IfG Live Event   A rise in Covid-19 cases has forced the government to put England into a second national lockdown. But, in contrast with the spring, some experts think people are less likely to follow the rules this time around. Is this due to growing confusion, a loss of faith in what the rules are trying to achieve, or are people simply growing tired of the rest...

As the UK-EU negotiations on the future relationship approach the endgame, the Institute for Government Brexit team discuss the latest on the talks, what will change for the UK on 1 January 2021, whether a deal actually makes a difference, and just how ready the UK is for a deal or no deal outcome. Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government, in conversation with Maddy Thimont Jack...

This is an audio recording of an IfG Live Event   The Institute for Government was delighted to welcome the Rt Hon Lord Maude, former Minister of State for Trade and Investment and former Minister for the Cabinet Office. A long-standing advocate for civil service reform, Francis Maude has been asked by the government to undertake a short review into the performance of the Cabinet Office. This even...

In his new book, Imperialism and Development – the East African groundnut scheme and its legacy, Dr Nicholas Westcott, Director of the Royal African Society, explores one of the most expensive and disastrous development schemes ever undertaken by a British government. What lessons can be learned, more than 70 years on, from the ill-fated launch of a scheme to grow peanuts in Tanganyika (now Tanzan...

This is an audio recording of an IfG Live Event The end of the Brexit transition period means big changes are inevitable at the end of the year. But despite a £70 million communications campaign many businesses and individuals are still unaware of what they need to do prepare, let alone ready. As the coronavirus crisis continues to dominate the public’s attention and Brexit fatigue persists, the g...

The coronavirus crisis has placed unprecedented pressure on public services, which have had to cope with increased costs, large workforce absences and the difficulties of providing services while maintaining social distancing. In response to the pandemic, the government has pledged £68.7bn since March in support, and suspended governance and regulatory requirements. At the same time services have...