The Fix

Nesta
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The Fix is a podcast from Nesta that asks one big question: how do we solve the toughest challenges we face in the UK today? Each episode, host Ravi Gurumurthy is joined by one of the most prominent people in British public life - from politics, business and beyond - to discuss how they’d change things for the better. From energy bills to social care, housing to healthy eating, we tackle the big issues - and the decision-making behind them - head on. Ravi is CEO of Nesta, the UK’s research and innovation foundation. You can find more information about Nesta at https://www.nesta.org.uk/

  1. 4d ago

    How to make the UK great for business again with Peter Kyle

    Britain is good at starting businesses, but too many of its most promising companies leave when it's time to scale up. So what's stopping the UK economy from moving faster? In episode one of The Fix with Ravi Gurumurthy, Nesta CEO Ravi Gurumurthy is joined by Peter Kyle MP, former Business Secretary and former Science and Technology Secretary, to unpack what the government needs to do to get the economy moving. Drawing on his time in Cabinet, Peter argues the UK is on the motorway and heading in the right direction, but only travelling at 30 miles an hour. He warns that Britain is in a "growth emergency" that isn't widely recognised, and explains why growth has to become the organising principle of government, with every policy, tax and incentive judged against it. The conversation also explores the barriers holding businesses back, from planning and energy prices to outdated regulation and the long wait over Heathrow. Peter explains why devolution on its own won't deliver growth, why Europe doesn't have a single trillion dollar company and what annoyed him about Jeremy Clarkson’s recent comments on entrepreneurship. He also sets out how Britain can make the most of AI, and the one simple change the Prime Minister could make tomorrow that wouldn't cost a penny. Liked the episode? Rate, review, subscribe – and share it with your network. Find out more at https://www.nesta.org.uk/ Nesta is a UK research and innovation foundation. We design, test and scale solutions to the big challenges of our time. We're funded by a charity endowment and are politically neutral.nesta.org.uk

    How to make the UK great for business again with Peter Kyle

  2. Sep 24

    How Andy Burnham can use AI to make government smarter, with Geoff Mulgan

    The UK government is under immense pressure to respond to geopolitical instability, financial pressures and rapid technological change - but traditional policymaking methods are struggling to keep pace. AI has the potential to transform how government makes decisions, delivers public services and responds to a rapidly changing world - but what would a smart AI-enabled state actually look like? And is the government ready to adopt and embed AI? With Andy Burnham now two-thirds of the way through his first 100 days in Downing Street, AI is a topic he has already had to face head-on. But might Burnham's new government use AI to build a smarter, more agile state? To dive into this question, Nesta CEO Ravi Gurumurthy sat down with Professor Geoff Mulgan, former head of the Number 10 Strategy Unit, on our deep-dive series from the Policy Fix podcast: Andy Burnham's first 100 days. Our duo discuss the areas where AI could transform policymaking, allowing civil servants to analyse evidence, test ideas and model scenarios at speed - and why avoiding AI-dependence while keeping human judgement intact is critical. The conversation explores what an AI-enabled government could mean for Andy Burnham's approach to public control, how AI could make regulators smarter, whether public services could continuously learn and improve and what a more democratic alternative to centralised, authoritarian uses of AI might look like. So, as Andy Burnham approaches the end of his first 100 days, what could he do to start modernising the state with AI? Listen to our latest episode to find out. Chapters00:00 Introduction00:41 Designing policymaking for the AI era06:16 Will AI create overconfident generalists?07:31 Using AI in the spending review11:03 How AI could fix meetings14:12 Leapfrogging Westminster15:47 Can AI make state planning work?19:57 Smarter regulators21:56 A democratic alternative to authoritarian AI23:41 Global governance of AI27:34 Public services that continuously learn32:38 How many civil servants should there be?34:11 The one thing Burnham should do Liked the episode? Rate, review, subscribe – and share it with your network. Watch the full series on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfr-pIsrx5koFind out more about Nesta: https://www.nesta.org.uk Nesta is a UK research and innovation foundation. We design, test and scale solutions to the big challenges of our time. We're funded by a charity endowment and are politically neutral.

    How Andy Burnham can use AI to make government smarter, with Geoff Mulgan

  3. Sep 24

    How Andy Burnham can make our economy more secure, with Jonathan Black

    Former Deputy National Security Adviser Jonathan Black joins Nesta CEO Ravi Gurumurthy to ask how Andy Burnham can make the UK economy more secure in a world where trade, technology, energy and investment have become tools of geopolitical competition. This episode is part of Andy Burnham's first 100 days, our deep-dive series on the choices facing the new prime minister. Ravi and Jonathan talk about how the UK should handle its economic relationships with the US, China and Europe, and where it needs to cut its reliance on countries and technologies that could leave it exposed. Jonathan draws on 25 years in government, including time as the prime minister's G7 and G20 sherpa. He goes through the hard trade-offs on offshore wind, AI and industrial policy, whether the UK should make a strategic bet on Europe, and what Whitehall needs to change to make these decisions well. Chapters00:00 Introduction01:56 Can a prime minister avoid foreign policy?05:48 Global integration meets great power rivalry08:03 Does US–China interdependence prevent conflict?13:28 How economic security policy fails19:36 The Mingyang offshore wind decision25:40 AI and sovereign capability28:46 Depending on US frontier models32:08 Should the UK make a strategic bet on Europe?35:24 Middle powers and coalitions of the willing37:52 How Whitehall needs to change43:08 Working with business without being captured44:50 Burnham's diary and his first 100 days Liked the episode? Rate, review, subscribe – and share it with your network. Watch the full series on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfr-pIsrx5koFind out more about Nesta: https://www.nesta.org.uk Nesta is a UK research and innovation foundation. We design, test and scale solutions to the big challenges of our time. We're funded by a charity endowment and are politically neutral.

    How Andy Burnham can make our economy more secure, with Jonathan Black

  4. Sep 24

    How Andy Burnham can make foreign aid spending work, with Kate Hampton

    The UK's overseas aid budget is at its lowest level in decades, with cuts having far-reaching consequences for people and communities around the world. But increasing aid spending would mean making difficult choices at home too. With his first 100 days drawing to a close, how should Andy Burnham be looking to make foreign aid spending work? And how can he make sure that money has the greatest impact? To dive into these questions, Nesta CEO Ravi Gurumurthy was joined by Kate Hampton, CEO of the Children's Investment Fund Foundation, on the Policy Fix podcast's deep-dive series: Andy Burnham's first 100 days. They discuss what the UK's reduced aid spending means in practice, from its impact on children, women and climate action to the risks of doing nothing. They also explore how Burnham's government could make the case for increasing aid spending at a time when there are competing pressures on public money at home. The conversation looks at how the UK could use its influence to put international development higher up the global agenda, including through the G7 and G20. They also explore how to get better value from aid spending - from reforming international finance and tackling debt to finding better ways to deliver and scale what works. So, as Andy Burnham approaches the end of his first 100 days, what should he do to make UK aid work harder? Listen to the full episode to find out. Chapters00:00 Introduction00:50 Why development matters to a domestically focused PM03:15 Has the UK lost influence after the aid cuts?04:26 Beyond the 0.7% target06:30 Reforming global finance and tackling debt12:23 Can finance reform make up for aid cuts?15:12 Aid in fragile and conflict-hit countries18:21 Getting money out before disasters strike20:43 How energy shocks and trade barriers hit the poorest24:18 What the G7 and G20 actually do30:36 What the UK should put on the G20 agenda33:06 How to run an ambitious G20 presidency35:44 Making the case for development at home39:55 The role of philanthropy42:33 The one thing Burnham should do Liked the episode? Rate, review, subscribe – and share it with your network. Watch the full series on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfr-pIsrx5koFind out more about Nesta: https://www.nesta.org.uk

    How Andy Burnham can make foreign aid spending work, with Kate Hampton

  5. Aug 4

    How Andy Burnham can bring the UK’s essential services under public control, with Tony Curzon Price

    Bringing essential services back under public control is a key part of Andy Burnham’s agenda. But with rising energy bills, struggling water infrastructure and growing frustration with privatised utilities, how can government deliver change without the cost of buying everything back? In this special deep-dive from the Policy Fix podcast, Nesta CEO Ravi Gurumurthy speaks to leading experts about the big decisions facing a new Prime Minister. Together, they test the ideas that could shape Burnham's first 100 days and explore what it would take to turn them into action. In this episode, Ravi Gurumurthy is joined by economist and Nesta policy fellow Tony Curzon Price to explore how a new government can give the public more control over essential services without returning to old models of nationalisation. They discuss why traditional regulation has often failed to deliver better outcomes and how government could take a more active role in shaping markets - from energy and water to digital services. The conversation also explores how better use of data could give people more control online and why creating a stronger public digital infrastructure could help build fairer markets. Listen now to discover the practical steps Andy Burnham could take in his first 100 days to rebuild trust, improve public services and rethink the role of government. Liked the episode? Rate, review, subscribe - and share with your network. We are a UK charity and our work is enabled by a financial endowment. Nesta is a registered charity in England and Wales 1144091 and Scotland SC042833. To find out more or connect with us, check out our website and socials: Website: nesta.org.uk Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/nestauk.bsky.social Facebook:facebook.com/nesta.uk Instagram: instagram.com/nesta_uk/hl=en LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/nesta

    How Andy Burnham can bring the UK’s essential services under public control, with Tony Curzon Price

  6. Aug 4

    How Andy Burnham can solve Britain’s wealth tax debate, with Arun Advani

    As Prime Minister, Andy Burnham will need to find money to fund public services and deliver on his promises. But how should he raise it? Is a wealth tax the answer, or are there better ways to reform Britain's tax system? In this special deep-dive from the Policy Fix podcast, Nesta CEO Ravi Gurumurthy speaks to leading experts about the big decisions facing a new Prime Minister. Together, they test the ideas that could shape Burnham's first 100 days and explore what it would take to turn them into action. In this episode, Ravi is joined by economist Dr Arun Advani to explore how Burnham could raise billions while making the tax system fairer and simpler. Rather than introducing an annual wealth tax straight away, Arun argues there are faster, more practical reforms. He explains how changes to capital gains tax and National Insurance could raise significant revenue while encouraging investment and closing loopholes. The conversation also explores whether the UK's property tax system needs an overhaul, the trade-offs between local and national tax reform, and how government can create a tax system that is fairer, more stable and fit for the future. Liked the episode? Rate, review, subscribe – and share it with your network. We are a UK charity and our work is enabled by a financial endowment. Nesta is a registered charity in England and Wales 1144091 and Scotland SC042833. To find out more or connect with us, check out our website and socials: Website: nesta.org.uk Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/nestauk.bsky.social Facebook: facebook.com/nesta.uk Instagram: instagram.com/nesta_uk/?hl=en LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/nesta

    How Andy Burnham can solve Britain’s wealth tax debate, with Arun Advani

  7. Aug 4

    How Andy Burnham can take back control from big tech, with Baroness Beeban Kidron OBE

    The world's biggest tech companies now shape what we see, think and do online every day - raising big questions about who really holds the balance of power between them and national governments. The previous government proposed banning social media for under-16s, a policy Andy Burnham has also backed. But is that enough? As Burnham sets out his agenda, what should he prioritise in his first 100 days to protect children online, strengthen the UK's digital independence and make powerful tech companies more accountable? In this special deep-dive from the Policy Fix, Nesta's policy podcast, Nesta CEO Ravi Gurumurthy sits down with some of the country’s leading experts on policy and government. Rather than just rehearsing the problems facing Burnham, they stress-test the big ideas that should shape his agenda, discuss the policy solutions he should actually pursue and map out the steps he should take to get started in his first 100 days. In this episode, Ravi is joined by filmmaker, politician and leading voice on children’s rights in the digital environment, Baroness Beeban Kidron OBE, to unpack the steps Andy Burnham should take to decisively reclaim public control from Silicon Valley. Taking a wider view than proposed responses like social media bans or regulating AI, Beeban argues the real challenge is the growing power of a handful of tech companies. She explains why governments should hold platforms responsible for harmful and addictive products, not just the content they host. The conversation also explores the risks of powerful AI, why the UK should make better use of trusted public data from organisations like the NHS and the BBC and how Britain can build digital technology that serves the public interest instead of corporate profit. Liked the episode? Rate, review, subscribe - and share with your network. We are a UK charity and our work is enabled by a financial endowment. Nesta is a registered charity in England and Wales 1144091 and Scotland SC042833. To find out more or connect with us, check out our website and socials: Website: nesta.org.uk Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/nestauk.bsky.social Facebook: facebook.com/nesta.uk Instagram: instagram.com/nesta_uk/?hl=en LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/nesta

    How Andy Burnham can take back control from big tech, with Baroness Beeban Kidron OBE

  8. Jul 28

    Where Andy Burnham should look for revenue - and where he shouldn’t, with Tim Leunig | Episode 4: Andy Burnham's first 100 days

    As Andy Burnham enters Downing Street, he needs to find the financial headroom to fund his ambitious agenda. But what are the policy cul-de-sacs that Burnham should avoid - ideas for revenue raising, cost cutting that might seem easy or tempting but which are likely to fail or trip up a new government? In this special deep-dive from the Policy Fix, Nesta's policy podcast, Nesta CEO Ravi Gurumurthy sits down with some of the country’s leading experts on policy and government. Rather than just rehearsing the problems facing Burnham, they'll stress-test the big ideas that should shape his agenda, discuss the policy solutions he should actually pursue, and map out the steps he should take to get started in his first 100 days. In this episode, Ravi is joined by Nesta's chief economist, Tim Leunig, to explore where a new government should look for funding- and where it shouldn't. Together, they challenge some of the most common ideas for raising tax revenue and instead explore practical, evidence-led reforms that could raise revenue, improve public services and boost long-term economic growth. The conversation covers closing the tax gap through stronger enforcement, modernising VAT, reforming disability assessments and making targeted investments in education, transport infrastructure and AI-enabled public services. Our duo set out a pragmatic roadmap for a new government’s first 100 days, exploring where not to look for money, how to avoid tempting policy traps and where to focus to lay the foundations for genuine economic growth. Liked the episode? Rate, review, subscribe - and share with your network. We are a UK charity and our work is enabled by a financial endowment. Nesta is a registered charity in England and Wales 1144091 and Scotland SC042833. To find out more or connect with us, check out our website and socials: Website: nesta.org.uk Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/nestauk.bsky.social Facebook:facebook.com/nesta.uk Instagram: instagram.com/nesta_uk/hl=en LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/nesta

    Where Andy Burnham should look for revenue - and where he shouldn’t, with Tim Leunig | Episode 4: Andy Burnham's first 100 days
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About

The Fix is a podcast from Nesta that asks one big question: how do we solve the toughest challenges we face in the UK today? Each episode, host Ravi Gurumurthy is joined by one of the most prominent people in British public life - from politics, business and beyond - to discuss how they’d change things for the better. From energy bills to social care, housing to healthy eating, we tackle the big issues - and the decision-making behind them - head on. Ravi is CEO of Nesta, the UK’s research and innovation foundation. You can find more information about Nesta at https://www.nesta.org.uk/

Information

  • Creator
    Nesta
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Nesta
  • Show Website
    The Fix

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