A Decisive Decade

The UK is at a critical juncture. There’s pressure to do more with less, increase productivity, and achieve place-based growth – all to deliver better outcomes for people and planet.

Now is the time for public and private sector leaders to ready themselves for these challenges, and to set the direction to solve whole-society dilemmas.

It’s a time for impetus, ideas, and human ingenuity. A decisive decade for leaders to make services better for the people whose lives they touch.

Our new series sets out and explores ten questions that will define and shape the next ten years. And in doing so, we explore the challenges, the opportunities, and the path to a more positive human future.

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Energy transition

One of the greatest issues facing the UK in this decisive decade is the energy transition. There’s now a chance for public and private sector leaders to learn the lessons from the past as the country builds a cleaner, greener, and fairer future based on renewable low carbon energy.

Kim McCann and Karthik Ponniah explore how the UK can best take advantage of the opportunities presented, and ensure the transition drives economic and social progress for all.

Parent and child flying kites by wind turbine

How can the UK ensure an energy transition that drives economic and social progress?

Discover how lessons from previous energy transitions can help build a cleaner, greener, fairer future.

Innovation

The surest solution to any systemic issue is innovation. Yet innovation alone isn’t enough. The UK needs to ensure its groundbreaking innovations diffuse through the economy – creating jobs, profits, and investment, as well as wider societal impact.

Laycha Hugoosgift and Shaun Delaney explore how a decade of innovation diffusion can help deliver growth, improve services, and enrich lives.

In a decisive decade, how can the UK reap the full benefits of its innovations?

Uncover how the UK can harness the power of innovation in public services.

Expert views

With estimates that the energy transition bill for the UK might run to £10bn a year, it’s no surprise that affordability is one of the most frequently billed questions. But a more pertinent question might be: 'Can we afford not to do it?'”

Karthik Ponniah Energy

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Getting innovation right, so that it spreads far and wide, means never losing sight of the problems you’re trying to solve.”

Laycha Hugoosgift Public sector innovation

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With public sector organisations like the NHS under significant pressure, it can be hard to create an appetite for innovation, but that is precisely where it is most needed. I don’t underestimate this multi-layered challenge. But I’m optimistic that with a focus on culture, you can bring change, whatever your remit.”

Shaun Delaney Government and public sector

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A combination of unprecedented challenges and the rapid acceleration of innovative solutions such as AI presents an exciting opportunity to think big and think differently when it comes to imagining public services fit for the 21st century.”

Amanda Kelly Public sector

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Creating a future which is safe, secure, and sustainable is complicated by the evolution of major global shifts – the climate emergency, increasing societal pressures, technological disruption, and space and security. The connections between these shifts increase their intensity.”

Guy Neale Defence and security

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