Working to make government more effective

Working to make government more effective

Rachel Reeves in Sainsbury speaking to a cashier
Podcast

Will Rachel Reeves spring a forecast surprise?

Rupert Harrison, former chief of staff to George Osborne, joins the Inside Briefing team to preview the chancellor's spring forecast.

Fire up the forecasts. Read up on the rules. Study the spending plans. And get ready for Rachel Reeves' big day in parliament. Rupert Harrison, former chief of staff to George Osborne, joins the Inside Briefing team to preview the chancellor's spring forecast.

It’s not a budget. It’s not a fiscal event. So it doesn’t get a primetime post-PMQs slot in the Commons timetable. So what exactly is it for and how significant is this forecast for the government? What will we hear from Rachel Reeves? And what are chancellor’s options – and the risks and possible rewards?

Plus: The government's big spending announcement was on SEND reform. Do the sums add up and just what is the government trying to do?

What we talked about in this episode

People featured in this episode

Topic
Public finances Public services
Keywords
Economy Tax Growth Budget Public spending Education and skills Schools
Political party
Labour
Position
Chancellor of the exchequer
Administration
Starmer government
Department
HM Treasury Department for Education
Project
Spring forecast 2026
Public figures
Rachel Reeves
Publisher
Institute for Government

Related content

03 MAR 2026 Podcast

Trump vs Iran: Is the UK ready for war?

Sir Alex Younger, former head of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), joins us to discuss what the US strikes on Iran mean for global security.

11 FEB 2026 Project

Spring forecast 2026

On Tuesday 3 March, the government will publish the Office for Budget Responsibility's latest set of economic and fiscal forecast.