Hot topics, hard choices: Addressing the policy landscape for 2025-26

After a not-so-quiet summer, MPs are returning from recess to a torrent of public policy challenges. Immigration remains the public’s top concern, with the economy and the NHS not far behind. Defence has also climbed the list – with the extra spending it brings adding to already daunting public finance pressures. Decisions on these issues come with unavoidable trade-offs; at a time when the parties will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on their own performance in the polls.

What are the biggest public policy challenges facing the UK? Which of these are most important to the public? What are the options for addressing these, in the immediate and long-term? And what might the implications of potential decisions the Government make on these be?

Speakers
Rob Ford
Professor of Political Science at the University of Manchester (Virtual)
Anita Charlesworth
Senior Economic Adviser at The Health Foundation
David Bailey
Professor of Business Economics at the Birmingham Business School
Anand Menon
Director of UK in a Changing Europe
Ruth Curtice
Chief Executive of the Resolution Foundation (Chair)