Institute for Government

From targeted social media campaigns during elections to the introduction of the Covid-19 test and trace app, questions about our data – and how it is used – are at the heart of political decision making and debate. With Elizabeth Denham’s five-year term as information commissioner ending on 31 October, this Institute for Government event looked back at her time in post – and looked ahead to future challenges, and opportunities, for data use and protection. In conversation with Bronwen Maddox, Director of the Institute of Government, Elizabeth Denham discussed the questions of freedom of information and transparency raised during the pandemic, how data can be shared responsibly and lead to digital transformation of public services, and how countries around the world can work together to meet digital threats. Elizabeth Denham was appointed UK Information Commissioner in July 2016, having previously held the position of Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia, Canada and Assistant Privacy Commissioner of Canada. She was awarded Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in Queen's New Year's Honours list in 2018.

To listen to the full conversation visit https://soundcloud.com/institute-for-government/david-nabarro

To listen to the full conversation visit https://soundcloud.com/institute-for-government/david-nabarro

To listen to the full conversation visit https://soundcloud.com/institute-for-government/david-nabarro

To listen to the full conversation visit https://soundcloud.com/institute-for-government/david-nabarro

To listen to the full conversation visit https://soundcloud.com/institute-for-government/david-nabarro

As the World Health Organization’s Special Envoy on Covid-19, Dr David Nabarro has played a leading role in the international response to the pandemic. In conversation with Bronwen Maddox, Director of the Institute for Government, he discussed the international community’s handling of the crisis – from the initial outbreak in early 2020, to public health measures used to curb transmission, to current vaccination programmes. As the international vaccine rollout continues, but with high numbers of Covid-19 cases across the world, Professor Nabarro also set out how countries can best manage this phase of the pandemic – and what needs to be done to ensure we are better prepared in the future. David Nabarro is co-director and chair of Global Health at Imperial College London’s Institute of Global Health Innovation and strategic director of 4SD. In March 2020 he was appointed Special Envoy of WHO Director-General on Covid-19. He has over 40 years of experience in international public health as a community-based practitioner, educator, public servant, director and diplomat. He was awarded Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for work on international public health in 1992.

With a week to go until Rishi Sunak sets out his multi-year spending review, the chancellor faces difficult decisions about how to fund public services. The pandemic has hit services hard. Children have lost hours of learning, waiting times for court cases are longer, and a backlog for operations has built up. So what spending choices must Sunak make? What is the pandemic’s impact on spending, staff, and service performance? And where might pressures intensify in the next three years? As the Institute for Government and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy launch the sixth edition of Performance Tracker – a data-driven analysis of the performance of key public services in England, including prisons, hospitals, schools, police and adult social care – its lead author Graham Atkins, Associate Director at the Institute for Government, presented the key findings. To discuss, our panel included: Justine Greening, former Secretary of State for Education and former Economic Secretary to the Treasury Anoosh Chakelian, Britain Editor at the New Statesman Mike Driver CB, President of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) The event was chaired by Dr Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government, with an introduction by Jeffrey Matsu, Chief Economist at CIPFA. We would like to thank the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) for supporting this event.

To listen to the full conversation visit https://soundcloud.com/institute-for-government/gavin-barwell-chief-staff

To listen to the full conversation visit https://soundcloud.com/institute-for-government/gavin-barwell-chief-staff

To listen to the full conversation visit https://soundcloud.com/institute-for-government/gavin-barwell-chief-staff

To listen to the full conversation visit https://soundcloud.com/institute-for-government/gavin-barwell-chief-staff

As Theresa May’s chief of staff from 2017 to 2019, Gavin Barwell had a front row seat for the Brexit dramas, deals and deadlines that defined May’s premiership. Brought into Number 10 after May lost her majority at the 2017 general election, Barwell battled alongside the former prime minister through meaningful votes, cabinet resignations and moments of high parliamentary drama. But what exactly does a chief of staff do? What lessons should be learnt from May’s time in Number 10? And just how dysfunctional is the centre of power? To mark the publication of Chief of Staff: Notes from Downing Street, Gavin Barwell was in conversation with the Institute for Government’s Dr Catherine Haddon.

COP26 has been called the “last best chance” for the world to avoid catastrophic climate change, and the UK has an opportunity to broker a landmark agreement. But turning months of preparation into an ambitious deal won’t be easy. Success will depend not only on diplomatic skill but on leading by example in demonstrating how to achieve a transition to net zero. With less than a month until the conference, what are the potential sticking points in negotiations? And what must the UK do to ensure that the COP26 is a success? On our panel to discuss these questions: Allegra Stratton, Prime Minister's spokesperson for the COP26 conference James Close, Head of Climate Centre of Excellence and Environment at NatWest Group Simon Eaves, CEO for Accenture in the UK and Ireland Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency and interim Chair of the Green Finance Institute The event was chaired by Tom Sasse, Associate Director at the Institute for Government. We would like to thank Accenture for kindly supporting this event.

To listen to the full conversation visit https://soundcloud.com/institute-for-government/getting-cities-to-net-zero

To listen to the full conversation visit https://soundcloud.com/institute-for-government/getting-cities-to-net-zero

To listen to the full conversation visit https://soundcloud.com/institute-for-government/getting-cities-to-net-zero

To listen to the full conversation visit https://soundcloud.com/institute-for-government/getting-cities-to-net-zero

Hitting the UK’s net zero target depends on the transformation of the UK’s cities. Many had already declared climate emergencies and set ambitious emissions targets before the pandemic, while big changes in the last 18 months – less commuting, more walking and cycling – have had big implications for urban areas. But to help people permanently shift to low-carbon lifestyles requires local leaders to develop long-term approaches to infrastructure, taxes and regulations. What needs to be done to ensure long-term transformation? Which pandemic-enforced changes should remain in place? How can cities and central government work together to make progress towards net zero? On our panel to discuss these questions: Baroness Blake of Leeds, Shadow Spokesperson for Housing, Communities and Local Government and former Leader of Leeds City Council Professor Hayley Fowler, Professor of Climate Change Impacts in the School of Engineering at Newcastle University Christopher Hammond, Network Membership Director, UK100 Steve Turner, Director, Devolved and Local Government at Connected Places Catapult The event was chaired by Tom Sasse, Associate Director at the Institute for Government, with opening remarks by Giles Clifford, Partner at Gowling WLG. We would like to thank Gowling WLG for supporting this event.

Better use of data is key to more effective government. Across government, teams are doing fascinating work with data. But those projects don’t get the attention they deserve. At this month's event, the 23rd in our series, the speakers presented their work in an exciting, quickfire format. Each speaker had eight minutes, followed by eight minutes of questions from the audience. This month's speakers were: Or Lenchner, CEO of Bright Data, presenting lessons learned from how the commercial world draws insight from online public data Andrew Engeli, Deputy Director for Environmental Monitoring for Health Protection at the UK Health Security Agency, on the challenges of developing novel data sources in the context of the pandemic response Bethan Charnley, Head of National Data Strategy Implementation at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, on monitoring and evaluating the National Data Strategy Patrick Royce, Energy Engineer at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, on the My2050 Calculator for exploring pathways to net zero The event was chaired by Gavin Freeguard, Associate at the Institute for Government.

Science has played a key role in the Covid crisis, and the pandemic has shone a light on the way government accesses, uses and communicates scientific evidence and data. This panel discussed the lessons learned and how the government can use science effectively to achieve its aim of making the UK a “science superpower”. This event was part of the IfG's fringe events programme at the 2021 Conservative Party Conference in Manchester. Speakers: Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, Chair of the Science and Technology Select Committee Polly Toynbee, Columnist at The Guardian Professor Ian Walmsley FRS, Provost at Imperial College London Sir Mark Walport, Fellow at the Royal Society This event was chaired by Tom Sasse, Associate Director at the Institute for Government. Kindly supported by Imperial College London and the Royal Society.

Homes produce 15% of the UK’s emissions, and little progress has been made on decarbonising their energy use. The UK needs local solutions to this problem. But local governments lack the resources, powers and capabilities needed. We considered the roles of central and local government, and how to drive progress towards the UK’s net zero goals. This event was part of the IfG's fringe events programme at the 2021 Conservative Party Conference in Manchester. Speakers: Lord Callanan, Minister for Business, Energy and Corporate Responsibility Joss Clarke, Director of External Affairs at SGN Laura Sandys, Chair of the Energy Digitalisation Taskforce Councillor Dan Watkins, Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport for Kent County Council This event was chaired by Tom Sasse, Associate Director at the Institute for Government. Kindly supported by SGN.

Growing waiting lists, staff burnout, and a social care system in urgent need of reform. With a spending review imminent, this event discussed spending pressures on health and care, how to pay for them, and whether the government will be able to meet its pledges to build 40 new hospitals and recruit tens of thousands of nurses, doctors, and GPs. This event was part of the IfG's fringe events programme at the 2021 Conservative Party Conference in Manchester. Speakers: Paul Bristow MP, Member of the Health and Social Care Committee Anita Charlesworth, Director of Research and the REAL Centre at the Health Foundation Sarah Neville, Global Health Editor at the Financial Times Dr Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government This event was chaired by Graham Atkins, Associate Director at the Institute for Government. Kindly supported by the Health Foundation.

Coronavirus has led to the rapid adoption of technologies that have been contemplated for years but had not been widely used before the crisis. There has been a fundamental shift towards delivering services remotely, such as school lessons, NHS appointments, and court hearings being conducted via video, telephone and text messages. Without this, many services would have ground to a halt. What impact has the increased use of technology had on the quality, efficiency and accessibility of public services? This event was part of the IfG's fringe events programme at the 2021 Conservative Party Conference in Manchester. Speakers: Matt Warman MP, Former Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at DCMS Syma Cullasy-Aldridge, Director of External Affairs and Growth at PUBLIC Professor Martin Marshall, Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners Council Elaine Whyte, Partner PA Consulting This event was chaired by Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. Kindly supported by PA Consulting.

The government thinks that investing in major energy, transport and infrastructure projects can help 'level up' the UK. Can it? What would a national transport or energy investment strategy to achieve 'levelling up' look like? How can government get the balance right between mega-project investment and incremental improvement? Are there successes it can learn from? This event was part of the IfG's fringe events programme at the 2021 Conservative Party Conference in Manchester. Speakers: Baroness Vere of Norbiton, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport Ben Bradley MP, Member of Parliament for Mansfield, Nottinghamshire Julian Glover, Writer and infrastructure adviser Maria Machancoses, Chief Executive Officer at Midlands Connect This event was chaired by Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. Kindly supported by Midlands Connect.

‘Levelling up’ is one of the government’s main priorities. There are big differences in health between different parts of the country and improving health may be one of the most effective ways to boost the economy. This event explored how improving health can improve economic performance and what policies are most likely to achieve this. This event was part of the IfG's fringe events programme at the 2021 Conservative Party Conference in Manchester. Speakers: Jake Berry MP, Chairman of the Northern Research Group and former Minister of State for the Northern Powerhouse Jo Bibby, Director of Health at the Health Foundation Caitlin Doherty, Westminster Correspondent at the Yorkshire Post Edleen John, Director for International Relations, Corporate Affairs, and Co-Partner for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the Football Association This event was chaired by Dr Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government. Kindly supported by the Health Foundation.

Departmental boards were introduced to bring private sector oversight into central government departments. But how are people appointed as departmental non-executive directors? What experience do they bring? And what advice do they give to ministers? A recent Institute for Government report exposed how the system lacks transparency and is inconsistently applied. Ministers can appoint non-executive directors without due process, and the influence of a department’s board depends on whether a minister chooses to engage with it or not. So what can be done to make more use of board members’ expertise? What changes could help boards to improve departmental performance? What can be done to improve the transparency of board appointments? To discuss these questions, the Institute for Government is delighted to bring together an expert panel: Sue Langley, lead non-executive director for the Home Office and former interim government lead non-executive Sir David Lidington, former Secretary of State for Justice, Leader of the House of Commons and Minister for the Cabinet Office Dame Una O’Brien, former Permanent Secretary at the Department of Health Miranda Curtis, Director at Liberty Global and former lead non-executive director for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office The event will be chaired by Dr Matthew Gill, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government.

Growing waiting lists, staff burnout, and a social care system in urgent need of reform. With a spending review imminent, this event discussed spending pressures on health and care, how to pay for them, and whether the government will be able to meet its pledges to build 40 new hospitals and recruit tens of thousands of nurses, doctors, and GPs. This event is part of the IfG's fringe events programme at the 2021 Labour Party Conference in Brighton. Speakers: Justin Madders MP, Shadow Minister for Secondary Care, Workforce and Patient Health Anita Charlesworth, Director of Research and REAL Centre at the Health Foundation Sarah Neville, Global Health Editor at the Financial Times Dr Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government This event was chaired by Graham Atkins, Associate Director at the Institute for Government. Kindly supported by the Health Foundation.

The coronavirus crisis has brought data into government decision making like never before. From the contact tracing app to the A Level algorithm fiasco it has brought the use of personal data to the fore. Central and local government are investing in data platforms and automated decision making and artificial intelligence systems – and increasingly wondering how data from the private and charitable sectors can help. What does all this mean for how government operates? How can the better use of data help with the post-Covid economic recovery and what are the benefits and risks of governments, companies and charities with more data at their fingertips? This event was part of the IfG's fringe events programme at the 2021 Labour Party Conference in Brighton. Speakers: Darren Jones MP, Chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee Richard Earley, UK Public Policy Manager at Facebook Genevieve Maitland Hudson, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Social Investment Business Olivier Thereaux, Head of Research and Development at the Open Data Institute This event was chaired by Gavin Freeguard, Associate of the Institute for Government. Kindly supported by Facebook.

Coronavirus has led to the rapid adoption of technologies that have been contemplated for years but had not been widely used before the crisis. There has been a fundamental shift towards delivering services remotely, such as school lessons, NHS appointments, and court hearings being conducted via video, telephone and text messages. Without this, many services would have ground to a halt. What impact has the increased use of technology had on the quality, efficiency and accessibility of public services? This event was part of the IfG's fringe events programme at the 2021 Labour Party Conference in Brighton. Speakers: • Chi Onwurah MP, Shadow Minister for Science, Research and Digital • Steve Black, Chief Analyst, askmyGP • Penelope Gibbs, Director of Transform Justice • Elaine Whyte, Partner at PA Consulting This event was chaired by Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government. Kindly supported by PA Consulting.

Science has played a key role in the Covid crisis, and the pandemic has shone a light on the way government accesses, uses and communicates scientific evidence and data. This panel discussed the lessons learned and how the government can use science effectively to achieve its aim of making the UK a “science superpower”. This event was part of the IfG's fringe events programme at the 2021 Labour Party Conference in Brighton. Speakers: Ayesha Hazarika, broadcaster and political commentator Professor Mary Ryan FREng, Interim Vice-Provost (Research and Enterprise) at Imperial College London Sir Mark Walport, Fellow at The Royal Society and chair of the Imperial College Academic Health Science Centre This event was chaired by Tom Sasse, Associate Director at the Institute for Government. Kindly supported by Imperial College London and the Royal Society.

To listen to the full conversation visit: https://soundcloud.com/institute-for-government/levelling-up-or-catching-up-what-next-for-public-services

To listen to the full conversation visit: https://soundcloud.com/institute-for-government/levelling-up-or-catching-up-what-next-for-public-services

To listen to the full conversation visit: https://soundcloud.com/institute-for-government/levelling-up-or-catching-up-what-next-for-public-services

To listen to the full conversation visit: https://soundcloud.com/institute-for-government/levelling-up-or-catching-up-what-next-for-public-services

To listen to the full conversation visit: https://soundcloud.com/institute-for-government/levelling-up-or-catching-up-what-next-for-public-services

The pandemic has hit public services hard, creating backlogs - from children missing out on school lessons, to cancelled hospital operations and unheard court cases – and leaving local authorities facing budget shortfalls. But as the government focuses on post-pandemic economic recovery, its priority is to ‘level up’ parts of the country which have fallen behind in terms of economic growth, opportunity, and wellbeing. With limited resources, how can public services both address backlogs and ‘level up’? Has the pandemic made levelling up harder for public services? How, if at all, can public services contribute to levelling up? What should the government do to help them both catch-up and level-up? To discuss these questions and more, the IfG was delighted to host an expert panel including: Baroness Armstrong, Chair of the House of Lords Public Services Committee Saffron Cordery, Deputy Chief Executive of NHS Providers Georgina Cox, Partner at PA Consulting Rachel Wolf, Founding Partner at Public First and former Education and Innovation Adviser to David Cameron. The event was chaired by Graham Atkins, Associate Director at the Institute for Government. We would like to thank PA Consulting for kindly supporting this event.

To listen to the full conversation visit: https://soundcloud.com/institute-for-government/rail-reform What is Great British Railways? How will it end rail industry fragmentation? And how can it deliver a rail network that works for customers, taxpayers, politicians, and the wider public? The new organisation is at the heart of the William-Shapps Plan for Rail, which reported in May. Keith Williams, Chair of the Review, describes the British railway network as a “complex Rubik’s cube” and says Great British Railways should be a central ‘guiding mind’ in a reformed rail system. This event explored how to make a reformed rail network work for Great Britain’s long-term post-pandemic future, drawing on lessons from previous attempts at reshaping the rail industry and experiences of setting up arms-length bodies elsewhere. Our panel: Keith Williams, independent Chair of the Williams Review The Rt Hon. the Lord Darling of Roulanish, former Secretary of State for Transport and former Chancellor of the Exchequer Maria Machancoses, CEO of Midlands Connect Andy Bagnall, Director General of the Rail Delivery Group The event was chaired by Dr Matthew Gill, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government. We are grateful to The Rail Delivery Group for their support with this event.

To listen to the full conversation visit: https://soundcloud.com/institute-for-government/rail-reform What is Great British Railways? How will it end rail industry fragmentation? And how can it deliver a rail network that works for customers, taxpayers, politicians, and the wider public? The new organisation is at the heart of the William-Shapps Plan for Rail, which reported in May. Keith Williams, Chair of the Review, describes the British railway network as a “complex Rubik’s cube” and says Great British Railways should be a central ‘guiding mind’ in a reformed rail system. This event explored how to make a reformed rail network work for Great Britain’s long-term post-pandemic future, drawing on lessons from previous attempts at reshaping the rail industry and experiences of setting up arms-length bodies elsewhere. Our panel: Keith Williams, independent Chair of the Williams Review The Rt Hon. the Lord Darling of Roulanish, former Secretary of State for Transport and former Chancellor of the Exchequer Maria Machancoses, CEO of Midlands Connect Andy Bagnall, Director General of the Rail Delivery Group The event was chaired by Dr Matthew Gill, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government. We are grateful to The Rail Delivery Group for their support with this event.

To listen to the full conversation visit: https://soundcloud.com/institute-for-government/rail-reform What is Great British Railways? How will it end rail industry fragmentation? And how can it deliver a rail network that works for customers, taxpayers, politicians, and the wider public? The new organisation is at the heart of the William-Shapps Plan for Rail, which reported in May. Keith Williams, Chair of the Review, describes the British railway network as a “complex Rubik’s cube” and says Great British Railways should be a central ‘guiding mind’ in a reformed rail system. This event explored how to make a reformed rail network work for Great Britain’s long-term post-pandemic future, drawing on lessons from previous attempts at reshaping the rail industry and experiences of setting up arms-length bodies elsewhere. Our panel: Keith Williams, independent Chair of the Williams Review The Rt Hon. the Lord Darling of Roulanish, former Secretary of State for Transport and former Chancellor of the Exchequer Maria Machancoses, CEO of Midlands Connect Andy Bagnall, Director General of the Rail Delivery Group The event was chaired by Dr Matthew Gill, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government. We are grateful to The Rail Delivery Group for their support with this event.

To listen to the full conversation visit: https://soundcloud.com/institute-for-government/rail-reform What is Great British Railways? How will it end rail industry fragmentation? And how can it deliver a rail network that works for customers, taxpayers, politicians, and the wider public? The new organisation is at the heart of the William-Shapps Plan for Rail, which reported in May. Keith Williams, Chair of the Review, describes the British railway network as a “complex Rubik’s cube” and says Great British Railways should be a central ‘guiding mind’ in a reformed rail system. This event explored how to make a reformed rail network work for Great Britain’s long-term post-pandemic future, drawing on lessons from previous attempts at reshaping the rail industry and experiences of setting up arms-length bodies elsewhere. Our panel: Keith Williams, independent Chair of the Williams Review The Rt Hon. the Lord Darling of Roulanish, former Secretary of State for Transport and former Chancellor of the Exchequer Maria Machancoses, CEO of Midlands Connect Andy Bagnall, Director General of the Rail Delivery Group The event was chaired by Dr Matthew Gill, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government. We are grateful to The Rail Delivery Group for their support with this event.

What is Great British Railways? How will it end rail industry fragmentation? And how can it deliver a rail network that works for customers, taxpayers, politicians, and the wider public? The new organisation is at the heart of the William-Shapps Plan for Rail, which reported in May. Keith Williams, Chair of the Review, describes the British railway network as a “complex Rubik’s cube” and says Great British Railways should be a central ‘guiding mind’ in a reformed rail system. This event explored how to make a reformed rail network work for Great Britain’s long-term post-pandemic future, drawing on lessons from previous attempts at reshaping the rail industry and experiences of setting up arms-length bodies elsewhere. Our panel: Keith Williams, independent Chair of the Williams Review The Rt Hon. the Lord Darling of Roulanish, former Secretary of State for Transport and former Chancellor of the Exchequer Maria Machancoses, CEO of Midlands Connect Andy Bagnall, Director General of the Rail Delivery Group The event was chaired by Dr Matthew Gill, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government. We are grateful to The Rail Delivery Group for their support with this event.