Institute for Government

As Sir Chris Wormald starts his new job as cabinet secretary, two panels – one livestreamed from Singapore – brought together civil service leaders from other countries to explore how they approached the job and what the UK could learn from their experiences. With: Pamela Dow, Chief Operating Officer at Civic Future and a former UK civil servant Leslie Evans, Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government 2015-2021 Martin Fraser, Ambassador of Ireland to the UK, Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach 2011–22 This panel was chaired by Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

- Dr Hannah White OBE, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government - Phillip Woolley, Partner, Head of Public Sector Consulting at Grant Thornton UK LLP

Alex Burghart MP was in conversation with Dr Hannah White OBE, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government

Following her speech, Daisy Cooper MP was in conversation with Emma Norris, Deputy Director of the Institute for Government

Two of England’s elected mayors join an expert panel to explore how well mayors are working with central government – and what powers they need. - Ben Houchen, Mayor of Tees Valley - Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands This panel was chaired by Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

This expert panel assessed how Labour has performed since returning to government, and what challenges – and opportunities – await in 2025. Polling presentation by Joe Twyman, Director of Deltapoll. - Claire Ainsley, Director of the Project on Center-Left Renewal at the Progressive Policy Institute - Anushka Asthana, Deputy Political Editor at ITV News - Dr Danny Sriskandarajah, Chief Executive of the New Economics Foundation This panel was chaired by Emma Norris, Deputy Director of the Institute for Government.

Following his speech, Rt Hon Darren Jones MP was in conversation with Dr Hannah White OBE, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government.

Local government has faced huge financial pressures, leaving residents across England struggling to access services. Featuring presentations from council leaders, this panel explored what can be done to turn around performance.  Presentations from: - Jenny Rowlands, Chief Executive of Camden Council - Claire Taylor, Chief Operating Officer, Sheffield City Council Panel: - Hilary Cottam, author, innovator and change maker and Honorary Professor at the Institute of Innovation and Public Purpose at UCL - Florence Eshalomi MP, Chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee - Jim McMahon MP, Minister of State (Minister for Local Government and English Devolution) This panel was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

As the spending review approaches, this session, featuring IfG senior fellow Sam Freedman, explored how the government can best use its missions – and milestones – to shape its spending choices. - Nehal Davison, Programme Director at the Institute for Government - Cassia Rowland, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government - Giles Wilkes, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government This panel was chaired by Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government.

What will the return of Donald Trump to the White House mean for Keir Starmer, the government and British politics? - Mark Landler, London Bureau Chief at The New York Times - Dr Leslie Vinjamuri, Director, US and the Americas Programme at Chatham House This panel was chaired by Catherine Haddon, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.