Government 2026: IfG's annual conference

Are No.10 and the Treasury set up to deliver economic growth? Is the government making any progress in its efforts to “rewire the state”? What could May’s elections mean for British politics? And what do the public think of the government’s performance?

To explore these questions and more, Government 2026 was packed with fascinating panel discussions, keynote speeches, in-conversation events, new polling and more, all exploring what government is doing well – and what it could be doing better.

Welcome

Opening remarks from 

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

A keynote speech by Rt Hon Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care

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The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care delivered a speech, followed by a conversation with Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government.

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Photos from this event are available on our Flickr. 
 

In conversation with Louise Casey, Baroness Casey of Blackstock DBE CB

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Baroness Louise Casey, the government's Lead Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Independent Commission into Adult Social Care, discussed her work across the public sector with Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government.

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Photos from this event are available on our Flickr. 
 

Is the centre of government built to deliver?

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An expert panel explored how well No.10 and the Treasury work together to deliver the government's economic priorities.

• Rt Hon Ed Balls, broadcaster, presenter of Political Currency, and former Education Secretary
• Kelly Beaver MBE, Chief Executive of Ipsos in the UK and Ireland
• Baroness Ayesha Hazarika, broadcaster and former political adviser

This session was chaired by Giles Wilkes, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government and former No.10 adviser.

Photos from this event are available on our Flickr. 
 

Rewiring the state: Is the government making any progress?

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Drawing on brand new IfG research, this panel gave its verdict on the government's attempts to reform the civil service.

Whitehall Monitor 2026 presentation from Hannah Keenan, Associate Director at the Institute for Government

Followed by a panel discussion featuring:

• Rt Hon Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester (joining virtually)
• Lord Michael Gove, Editor of The Spectator and former government minister
• Hannah Keenan, Associate Director at the Institute for Government
• Rowena Mason, Whitehall Editor at The Guardian

This session was chaired by Alex Thomas, Executive Director for Impact and Influence at the Institute for Government.

Photos from this event are available on our Flickr. 

Elections 2026: How could votes in England, Scotland and Wales reshape British politics?

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A preview of the issues at stake in the hugely significant elections taking place across the UK in May 2026.

• Kezia Dugdale, former Leader of the Scottish Labour Party and Associate Director of the Centre for Public Policy
• Guto Harri, broadcaster and former No.10 Director of Communications
• Akash Paun, Programme Director (Devolution) at the Institute for Government
• Luke Tryl, Director of More in Common

This session was chaired by Dr Catherine Haddon, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government. 

 Photos from this event are available on our Flickr. 

In conversation with Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister

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The Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister discussed why his role spanning both No10 and the Cabinet Office was created and the need to modernise public services. Speaking with Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government, he set out the changes being made to the centre of Whitehall to enable the government to drive action more quickly in 2026.~

Photos from this event are available on our Flickr. 

The view from the IfG: Government in 2026

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Political journalist Carolyn Quinn, former presenter of the BBC’s Westminster Hour, was in conversation with four IfG programme directors to discuss their vital work on policy making, public services, ministers and public bodies – and their verdict on the government’s performance.

• Nick Davies, Programme Director (Public Services) at the Institute for Government
• Nehal Davison, Programme Director (Policy making) at the Institute for Government
• Tim Durrant, Programme Director (Ministers) at the Institute for Government

• Dr Matthew Gill, Programme Director (Public Bodies) at the Institute for Government

  Photos from this event are available on our Flickr. 

A keynote speech by Rt Hon Sir Mel Stride MP, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer

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The shadow chancellor delivered a speech, followed by a conversation with Alex Thomas, Executive Director for Impact and Influence at the Institute for Government.

 Photos from this event are available on our Flickr. 

Closing remarks

Closing remarks from Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government.
 

We would like to thank Grant Thornton UK LLP for supporting this event.