It’s 2 years since Keir Starmer first set out his five missions for government, including a health mission to build ‘an NHS fit for the future’ and ‘a fairer Britain, where everyone lives well for longer’. Missions were supposed to mean a new way of doing government – focused on ambitious, long-term objectives that provide a driving sense of purpose for the country.

So, with Labour now in office for 9 months, what have we learned about how mission-driven government works in practice? Are clues emerging about how government plans to improve the nation’s health beyond the confines of the NHS? And do missions show signs of bringing about durable changes in policy and how the state works? 

To discuss, our Chief Executive Jennifer Dixon is joined by:

Hannah White, Director at the Institute for Government. 

Jo Bibby, Director of Health at the Health Foundation. 

Institute for Government (2025). Inside Briefing. Keir Starmer rewires the state. 

Institute for Government (2024). What does a mission-driven approach to government mean and how can it be delivered?

Health Foundation (2024). Health at the heart of government. 

UK Government (2024). Plan for change: Milestones for mission-led government. 

Future Governance Forum (2024). Mission-critical: statecraft for the 21st century.