Social security, disability and health-related inactivity: What is the Conservative case for reform?

From hospitals to schools, policing and local government, the effects of Labour’s promised reforms to public services are now being felt. Waiting times for some NHS services have improved, absence from schools is falling, and knife crime and neighbourhood crime have both fallen. But despite these signs of improvement, a thorny set of problems across public services could threaten Andy Burnham’s own ambitious reform agenda.   The launch event for the IfG’s annual Public Services Performance Tracker, funded by the Nuffield Foundation, considered Keir Starmer’s legacy on public service improvement, how Burnham can deliver tangible improvements before the next election, and what choices face John Healey at his first budget and subsequent spending review. Our expert panel considered: What is Andy Burnham’s public service inheritance? How much progress did Keir Starmer’s government make on public services? What are the biggest public service challenges that need to be addressed over the rest of the parliament? How might Burnham’s devolution agenda transform public services? What are the implications for the budget and next year’s spending review? To discuss these questions and more, we were joined by: Amber Dellar, Researcher at the Institute for Government Stuart Hoddinott, Associate Director at the Institute for Government Cassia Rowland, Associate Director at the Institute for Government This webinar was chaired by Thomas Pope, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government. Mark Franks, Director of Welfare at the Nuffield Foundation, made opening remarks.  We would like to thank the Nuffield Foundation for kindly supporting this event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This discussion was part of the Institute for Government's programme of events at the Conservative Party Conference 2026. Speakers: Heather Blundell, CEO of Grayling Rt Hon Baroness Thérèse Coffey, former Deputy Prime Minister Rt Hon Lord Michael Gove, Editor of The Spectator This event was chaired by Vicky Elliott, Director at the Institute for Government  This event was in partnership with The Spectator. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This discussion was part of the Institute for Government's programme of events at the Conservative Party Conference 2026. Speakers: Helen Whately MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Helen Barnard, Director of Policy and Research at Trussell Fraser Nelson, Columnist at The Times Ben Paxton, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government This event was chaired by Thomas Pope, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government.  This event was in partnership with Trussell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This event took place at the Green Party Conference. Dr Catherine Haddon, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government was joined by Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle, former Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales (2012–16). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This discussion was part of the Institute for Government's programme of events at the Labour Party Conference. Speakers: Mallory Durran, Chief Technology Officer at Nesta Cllr Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council and Cabinet Member for Innovation at the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Cassia Rowland, Associate Director at the Institute for Government Rachel Taylor, UK Government & Health Industries Leader and Global Government & Public Sector Leader at PwC This event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.  This event was in partnership with PwC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This discussion was part of the Institute for Government's programme of events at the Conservative Party Conference. Speakers: Alex Burghart MP, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party This event was chaired by Alex Thomas, Executive Director at the Institute for Government.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This discussion was part of the Institute for Government's programme of events at the Conservative Party Conference. Speakers: Baroness Neville-Rolfe, Shadow Minister (Treasury) Henry Hill, Editor of The Critic Rt Hon Lord Maude of Horsham, Founder and Chairman of Francis Maude Associates Sarah Woolnough, Chief Executive of The King's Fund This event was chaired by Dr Matthew Gill, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This discussion was part of the Institute for Government's programme of events at the Conservative Party Conference. Speakers: Baroness Finn of Swansea, Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office Dr Patrick English, Head of Elections and Political and Social Data at YouGov Lucy Harris, former MEP and Conservative Special Adviser Salma Shah, IfG Senior fellow and former Conservative Special Adviser Tom Skinner, former Conservative Special Adviser This event was chaired by Alex Thomas, Executive Director at the Institute for Government.  This event was in partnership with YouGov. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This event was part of the IfG's programme of events at the Labour Party Conference 2026. Speakers: Paul Waugh MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Early Education) Lynn Perry MBE, Chief Executive Officer at Barnardo's Sarah Ronan, Executive Director at the Early Education and Childcare Coalition Matt Towner, Director of Programmes at Impact on Urban Health Alistair Strathern MP, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Labour Group for Men and Boys This event was chaired by Nehal Davison, former Programme Director at the Institute for Government.  This event was in partnership with Barnardo’s and Impact on Urban Health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This event was part of the IfG's programme of events at the Labour Party Conference 2026. Speakers: Mayor Kim McGuinness, Mayor of North East England Cllr Fran Belbin, Leader of Sheffield City Council Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor at The University of Manchester Mark Rogers, Interim Chief Executive, Sussex & Brighton Strategic Authority  This event was chaired by Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.  This event was in partnership with The University of Manchester. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices