Negotiating Government is the podcast about how to negotiate with government, influence public sector decisions, and understand how power, policy and fiscal strategy shape outcomes.
Hosted by former Cabinet Ministers, Treasury officials and senior public sector negotiators, the show provides an insider perspective on how the UK government really makes decisions — and what that means for business leaders, advisers and organisations engaging with Whitehall.
Each episode explores:
How the UK Budget process works inside HM Treasury
What the Spending Review reveals about government priorities
How fiscal rules and the Office for Budget Responsibility shape policy
Public sector negotiation strategy and government contracts
Industrial action, strikes and collective bargaining
Trade deals, regulatory reform and sector-specific tax risk
Whether you are negotiating with the Treasury, responding to a government consultation, managing industrial relations, or operating in a regulated sector, Negotiating Government explains the institutional dynamics and political pressures that determine real-world outcomes.
If you want to understand how to negotiate with government more effectively — and anticipate the forces shaping UK public policy — this podcast provides practical insight grounded in first-hand experience at the highest levels of government.
Why UK Infrastructure Costs So Much: What Government and Business Need to Change
Why does UK infrastructure cost so much — and why do major projects so often face delays, redesigns and spiralling budgets? In this episode of Negotiating Government, David Gauke is joined by John Hall, former Treasury and Department of Health official, to examine what sits behind the UK’s infrastructure challenges and what government and the private sector can do differently. They explore the impact of stop-start investment, planning and consenting delays, skills and supply-chain constraints...
27 Aug 2026
How Geopolitics is Reshaping Government Negotiations
Geopolitics is becoming an increasingly important factor in government negotiations. The relatively predictable global environment of recent decades is giving way to greater uncertainty. Trade relationships are changing, protectionism is increasing, supply chains are vulnerable and governments are reconsidering their reliance on overseas suppliers and traditional allies. In this episode of Negotiating Government, David Gauke is joined by Sir William Patey, former British Ambassador to Afghani...
28 Jul 2026
Winning Government Defence Contracts: What the Defence Investment Plan Really Means
In this episode of Negotiating Government, David Gauke is joined by former Aviation, Maritime & Security Minister Robert Courts to explore what the plan really means for defence suppliers, technology companies and businesses looking to work with government. Rather than treating the document as a shopping list of future contracts, they examine the strategic thinking behind government investment decisions and explain why political priorities, Treasury approval and strategic relevance incre...
29 Jun 2026
How Governments Co-ordinate Investor-State Negotiations and Disputes
How Governments Co-ordinate Investor-State Negotiations and Disputes What makes the difference between a successful investor-state negotiation and an expensive international dispute? In this episode of Negotiating Government, Negotient founding partner Iain Steel is joined by Katerina Drisi of ProSovereign Global to explore the often-overlooked challenge at the heart of major government investment deals: internal coordination. Investor-state negotiations involve far more than a government dep...
25 May 2026
Devolution is a Negotiation: Delivering Successful Regional Government in the North East
The English Devolution Act 2026 has just passed — but how do combined authorities actually negotiate the deals, powers and investment that make devolution work in practice? Phil Witcherley, Director of Economic Growth and Innovation at the North East Combined Authority, joins James Dowling to reveal the strategy behind building regional coalitions, securing integrated settlements and attracting private investment. An essential listen for businesses, investors and public sector leaders navigat...
24 Mar 2026
Why You’re Always Negotiating with the Treasury | Negotiating Government Podcast
If you're negotiating with government, you're not just dealing with a department — you're negotiating with the Treasury. In this episode of the Negotiating Government Podcast, David Gauke (former Chief Secretary to the Treasury) and John Hall (former HM Treasury official) explain how the Treasury shapes every major government decision — even when it’s not in the room. Drawing on real experience inside Whitehall, they break down how public spending decisions are made, why negotiations with gov...
14 Jan 2026
Strikes Unpacked: Lessons from Hollywood Actors on the Picket Line
Associates Miranda Worthington and Josh Flax analyze the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, revealing why negotiations fail and parties embrace damaging actions in this interview episode.
9 Dec 2025
The Budget’s Ripple Effect: Pharma, Energy, Oil & Local Growth
John Hall and David Gauke analyze the UK's November 2025 Budget, revealing its impact on the pharmaceutical, energy, and oil sectors, and its limited support for private sector growth in this interview episode.
4 Nov 2025
How does The Treasury build a Budget?
David Gauke and John Hall analyze the strategic choices facing Chancellor Rachel Reeves in the upcoming budget, offering an insider's view of the budget-making process in this interview episode.
10 Oct 2025
Strikes Unpacked: UK and US Perspectives on Industrial Action
Miranda Worthington and Josh Flax analyze strikes and industrial action, contrasting UK and US approaches, including legal and cultural differences, and impacts on workers in this interview episode.
1 Sept 2025
Negotiating Government: The View from Inside Government
Former Cabinet Minister David Gauke interviews former Director Miranda Worthington about navigating the unique complexities of negotiating with government.
9 Jul 2025
Behind the Scenes of the US-UK Trade Deal
Industry experts Chris Brown and Josh Flax dissect the US-UK trade deal, revealing negotiation tactics related to power and pressure in public-private talks in this interview.
17 Jun 2025
The Spending Review 2025: Capital Growth and Financial Credibility
Former officials David Gauke and John Hall analyze the upcoming 2025 spending review, examining strategic choices around defense, green energy, economic growth, and public services in this interview.
6 Apr 2025
Mapping out the Spending Review: what does the Spring Statement tell us about HM Treasury thinking on the Spending Review?
In the inaugural episode of Negotiating Government, the podcast from Negotient, hosts David Gauke (Chair of Negotient and former HM Treasury and Cabinet minister) and John Hall (former HM Treasury Health Spending Team leader and former Department of Health Strategy Director) draw on their extensive backgrounds in Government to reflect on what the Spring Statement means for the approach HM Treasury will take to the Spending Review - and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for those...
Podcast Authority Score: 18 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
36
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
Contact Negotiating Government
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about Negotiating Government
Who hosts Negotiating Government?
David Gauke and John Hall and Josh Flax and Miranda Worthington host the show. Published by Negotient | Public Sector Negotiation Experts.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes monthly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Negotiating Government take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
Host of Negotiating Government?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
