On 30 October, the new government announced spending plans for 2025/26, with a spending review covering 2025/26 to 2027/28 due to be published in the spring. What are the implications of these spending plans for public service performance in 2025/26? What options should the spending review consider for raising revenue and boosting productivity? How can the government improve public services when funding is tight?

Rupert Harrison, former Chief of Staff to George Osborne and Chair of the UK’s Council of Economic Advisors (2010–15)

Paul Johnson, Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies

Professor Henrietta Moore, Founder and Director of the UCL Institute for Global Prosperity

Rachel Sylvester, political columnist at The Times and Chair of the Times Health Commission

This session will be chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

This event was part of the IfG's public services conference, kindly supported by UCL.