Working to make government more effective

Working to make government more effective

Justine Greening washing her hands as part of the Ebola virus decontamination process during a visit to Sierra Leone.
Podcast

Becoming a minister: Part 2 – The day-to-day reality

Justine Greening, Andrea Leadsom and George Eustice share their tips for new ministers for managing the demands on their time.

In episode two of our six-part series, we talk about what the day-to-day of being a minister is really like. You’ve had your phone call from the PM, you’ve made your welcome speech to the department, you’ve met your private secretaries. Where next?  

Ministers have an enormous number of demands on their time – from visits around the country and abroad to simply spending time with their colleagues. All of these are an important part of the role. But they can’t do it all – sign every letter, visit every hospital or meet with every official. As we hear, a key part of the job is working out what your priorities are and what you want to achieve – and learning when, sometimes, you just have to say no… 

For more information on how the IfG can support new ministers, check out the IfG Academy or get in touch with us via ifgacademy@instituteforgovernment.org.uk.

What we talked about in this episode

06 DEC 2022 'How to' guide

Making decisions in government

What are the key decision-making processes in government, and how can you ensure you get what you need to?

Who we talked to in this episode

01 MAY 2018 Interview

Justine Greening

Justine Greening reflects on Brexit, resistance to change and making sure policy is implemented. She argues government needs ‘ginormous’ reform.

10 MAY 2023 Interview

George Eustice

George Eustice reflects on his time in the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

29 OCT 2020 Interview

Andrea Leadsom

Andrea Leadsom reflects on working to deliver Brexit in different departments, reforms to the House of Commons and learning about energy on the job.

People featured in this episode

Topic
Ministers
Keywords
Cabinet Cabinet committees Civil servants Government reshuffle General election
Political party
Conservative
Position
Secretary of state Leader of the House of Commons
Administration
May government Johnson government
Department
Department for Education Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Office of the Leader of the House of Commons Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Series
IfG Academy Ministers Reflect
Legislature
House of Commons
Publisher
Institute for Government

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