Working to make government more effective

Antonia Romeo walking down Whitehall.
Podcast

Wherefore start thou, Romeo?

The Guardian’s Rowena Mason joins the podcast team for expert analysis of cabinet secretary Antonia Romeo's agenda for changing the civil service.

Cabinet secretary Antonia Romeo did not hold back this week when she demanded sweeping changes to the civil service – but what action will follow the punchy rhetoric? The Guardian’s Rowena Mason joins the podcast team for expert analysis of the Romeo agenda.

The prime minister has confirmed that his 10-year plan will be published this side of Christmas. So what can we expect to see from the Burnham blueprint for government?

Plus: Are the government’s health reforms and targets working? The latest chapter of our Performance Tracker of Public Services, published in partnership with the Nuffield Foundation, has the answers.

People featured on this episode

Related content

06 NOV 2026 Report chapter

Performance Tracker 2026: NHS

Under Labour, NHS performance has stabilised. But the government's competing demands on the service mean it is unlikely to achieve any of its goals.