Events

Reforming Parliament and new expenses policy with Sir Ian Kennedy

Monday 22 March 2010, 18:30-19:30

ippr, 30-32 Southampton Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 7RA

The MPs expenses scandal and wider questions of parliamentary reform are set to dominate the political agenda over coming months. How can public trust be restored in our political system? To what extent can MPs be made more accountable to the public? How can Parliament become more effective?

In a major speech, Sir Ian Kennedy, Chair, Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), will outline IPSA's vision to make Parliament a more efficient and cost effective institution in time for day one of the newly elected Parliament, including having a new expenses scheme up and running. He will describe how IPSA will support MPs in their parliamentary duties and will identify areas where further important work is needed. He will also consider the opportunities for engagement with the public in the future.

This event is being hosted by ippr on behalf of the seven think tanks which came together to publish A Future for Politics: Ways to reform our political system. 

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Increasing equality: changing public attitudes and the role of the public sector duties in achieving greater equality

10.00 – 13.00
Government Equalities Office, Eland House, Bressenden Place, London SW1E 5DU

How have attitudes to equality changed? What impact have the public sector duties had? And what are the best levers for changing behaviour and creating a more equal society – how do guidance and dialogue interact with enforcement and inspection to bring about progress on equality issues?

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Now it’s personal: Citizen-centred welfare New York City Learning Exchange

As part of ippr’s innovative project, Now it’s personal, we are offering the opportunity for policy-makers and practitioners to visit New York City to facilitate learning and exchange of best practice between US and UK providers, advisers and policy makers.

This week-long learning exchange will provide the opportunity for delegates to learn from the City’s experiences of contracting out services under a prime contractor model and to consider how lessons learned can be applied to the UK. Delegates will gain an understanding of the City’s ‘Back to work’ programme and the approaches of different organisations to supporting and retaining individuals in work.

Programme

The Learning Exchange will take place in New York City, and will include:

• Meetings with high level practitioners
• Themed roundtable discussions
• Networking opportunities 
• Site visits with practitioners across public, private and voluntary sectors.

Visits will be made to:

• Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, City Hall
• Executive Director, Center for Economic Opportunity, City Hall
• CEO and President, Seedco, including visits to subsidiary providers and delivery organisations
• Deputy Commissioner, Human Resources Association, including visits to delivery organisations
• MDRC (A US think tank working to improve the economic and social well-being of low-income people)
• Vice President, Public/Private Ventures
• Henry Street Settlement.

Information for Travel

Limited places are still available on the Learning Exchange for delegates to attend but organise their own flights. The cost of attending the Learning Exchange without flights included is £1700 (including VAT). This includes:

• Accommodation and breakfast
• In-country transport
• Travel briefing pack and pre-Learning Exchange seminar (date to be confirmed)
• Follow up report.

Please note places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

How to Book

Please complete the Booking Form. This secures your place on the Learning Exchange, subject to availability. Please read the booking and payment terms and conditions before completing and signing the form. For more information, contact Alice Sachrajda (a.sachrajda@ippr.org / 020 7470 6126).

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