Insight for Impact

About Insight for Impact

Insight for Impact is SQW’s podcast. As a business, we believe that good public policy shapes a better society – and it must therefore be guided by high quality research, analysis and insight. This principle has shaped our work since SQW was formed in the early 1980s, and we have generated a huge bank of experience and insight in applying it. Our podcast series is aimed at anyone with an interest in good public policy (particularly at national and local levels in the UK). It addresses highly topical economic and social issues ranging from innovation and local economic development through to skills, education, health and social care. Drawing on high quality evidence and analysis, it seeks to inform and stimulate the surrounding debates, and it aims, literally, to provide insight for impact. For more information and to see our most recently published reports, go to https://www.sqw.co.uk/insights-and-publications/

Publisher

SQW

Category

government

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

19 Aug 2021

Latest episode

11 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

9 of 21 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   11 Jun 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Reflections on the updated Green Book: Shifting towards balanced judgement in appraisal

   SQW experts discuss the UK Green Book's shift to balanced judgment in appraisal, emphasizing transparency, place-based thinking, and appraisal capacity for better public investment.

2. 

   13 Jan 2026

   A look ahead to 2026 in economic and social development

   What should those involved in economic and social development be watching out for in 2026? In this podcast, experts from SQW consider what the next twelve months might hold for health and social care, employment and skills, local economic growth, and innovation and enterprise.

3. 

   30 Oct 2025TRANSCRIPT

   Exploring the New Towns Taskforce report with Sir Michael Lyons: Implications for economic strategy, appraisal and evaluation

   The New Towns Taskforce was asked by the UK Government to identify locations and delivery models for a new generation of New Towns to stimulate economic growth and address housing shortages in England. The Taskforce’s final report has recently been published.  What are the implications for economic strategy, appraisal and evaluation? This is the focus of our latest podcast episode, where we are delighted to be joined by the Chair of the New Towns Taskforce, Sir Michael Lyons. Sir Michael joins Christine Doel, SQW expert on economic and spatial development at local, sub-national and national scales, and podcast host Joe Duggett,  to explore: The role of New Towns in supporting economic growth How New Towns can build effective communities Alignment with broader policy agendas The role of Development Corporations in delivering large-scale communities How the progress and success of the New Towns initiative might be measured in the short-term and long-term.

Inside a recent episode

Reflections on the updated Green Book: Shifting towards balanced judgement in appraisal

Published 11 Jun 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] And the whole purpose of the Green Book is really to have that consistent framework across central government for assessing whether public spending represents good value for money. The Green Book's been around for a long time. It's been around since the 1960s when the UK Ministry of Transport at the time was starting to think about how do we get the best value for money out of new transport projects. And that was really when economic evaluation first really became a concept. Since that was first developed, it's been refined to the updates of the latest round of that. Why is it so important? Well, the UK government spends hundreds of billions of pounds every year. […]

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 14 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

3

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

60

Contact Insight for Impact

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Insight for Impact