Institute for Government

We were at the Institute for Government for the sixth event in the IfG DevoLab series, held in partnership with the JUST Centre, at which speakers from three regions with devolved powers set out how mayors and strategic authorities can use their powers, funding and influence to support a just climate transition.

The three case studies presented at IfG DevoLab #6 were:

‘The Local Net Zero Accelerator programme in the West Midlands’ by Barbara Leach, Programme Manager at West Midlands Combined Authority

‘Devolution and local power for communities in the North West of England’, by James Johnson, Head of Regional Programme at the North West Net Zero Hub

‘Place-based climate action in Yorkshire and the Humber - the Climate Commission model’, by Rosa Foster, Director at Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission

These speakers were joined by Professor Matthew Paterson, Deputy Director at the JUST Centre, for a broader discussion of the benefits of devolution and mayoral leadership for this agenda, how places are developing new ways of governing and new forms of participation to ensure that the climate transition is just, joined-up and reflects local needs, and what might be achieved by further devolution.

This event was chaired by Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

The IfG DevoLab is dedicated to exploring the innovations enabled by devolution, learning from the results, and sharing the lessons so that places can take better decisions about how to use devolved powers and budgets. Insights from this discussion will inform a published policy briefing containing the three case studies and a synthesis of key lessons.

We would like to thank the Centre for Joined-Up Sustainability Transformations (JUST) for kindly supporting this event.

This event was part of the IfG's half-day conference, Regulation in a changing world: How to meet the needs of the future?

Panellists discussed how the design of a regulatory system can best build investor confidence and encourage good long-term outcomes.

Rt Hon George Eustice, former Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (2020–22)
Mark McAllister, Chair of Ofgem
Stefanie Voelz, Senior Credit Officer at Moody’s

This session was chaired by Giles Wilkes, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government.

This event was part of the IfG's half-day conference, Regulation in a changing world: How to meet the needs of the future?

An expert panel explored the purpose of regulation, and particularly its relationship to government policy. How can strategic direction from government, regulatory independence and consistency across sectors be balanced in a period of rapid change?

Caleb Deeks, Director General for Competition, Markets and Regulatory Reform at the Department for Business and Trade
Lord Michael Gove, Editor of The Spectator and former Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (2017–19)
Dame Clare Moriarty DCB, Chief Executive at Citizens’ Advice
Natalie Prosser, Chief Executive Officer at the Office for Environmental Protection
This session was chaired by Dr Matthew Gill, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

This event was part of the IfG's half-day conference, Regulation in a changing world: How to meet the needs of the future?

Welcome
Opening remarks from Dr Hannah White OBE, Director and CEO of the Institute for Government.

The minister delivered a keynote speech, and was then in conversation with Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government and David Henderson, Chief Executive Officer of Water UK.

The IfG was pleased to welcome Sir Ed Davey MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, to set out his priorities for political and constitutional reform.

In March, Ed Davey set out proposals for a “new Magna Carta” – a written constitution to safeguard fundamental British rights and freedoms. He expanded on those plans and talk about how the Liberal Democrats are continuing their campaign to secure proportional representation in the age of multi-party politics. And with Andy Burnham’s announcement of Number 10 North pushing devolution up the political agenda, Davey set out his approach to empowering councils and communities.

Sir Ed Davey was in conversation with Dr Hannah White, CEO of the Institute for Government, and took part in an audience Q&A.