This special event considered the recommendations of the Institute’s 2024 Commission on the Centre of Government in light of our analysis of the Labour government’s first year in office and the prime minister’s agenda to reform public services and rewire the state.

The Chair of the Institute, Lord Sainsbury of Turville, spok on government reform and the civil service – offering his valedictory reflections as he steps down from the role this summer. Lord Sainsbury’s speech was followed by a presentation of the Institute’s key recommendations on civil service reform, discussion with a panel of senior IfG staff and incoming IfG Chair Sir Ian Cheshire, and audience questions.

This important event highlighted the relevance of the Institute’s existing research to the government’s vital reform agenda and previewed our future research plans.

Welcome and opening remarks

Dr Hannah White OBE, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government

Speech

Lord Sainsbury of Turville, Chairman of the Board at the Institute for Government

Q&A

Lord Sainsbury of Turville, Chairman of the Board at the Institute for Government

Sir Ian Cheshire, Deputy Chair of the Board at the Institute for Government

Presentation

Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government

Panel discussion

Sir Jonathan Jones KCB KC (Hon), Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government

Alex Thomas, Programme Director for the civil service at the Institute for Government

Emma Norris, Deputy Director of the Institute for Government

This panel was chaired by Dr Hannah White OBE, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government.