# Can the UK weather the Middle East storm?

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/inside-briefing-with-the-institute-for-government-97126/can-the-uk-weather-the-middle-east-storm
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/inside-briefing-with-the-institute-for-government-97126/can-the-uk-weather-the-middle-east-storm.md
Podcast: [Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government](https://stenobird.com/podcast/inside-briefing-with-the-institute-for-government-97126)
Published: 2026-03-20T04:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/NSR7163251421.mp3
Audio file: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/NSR7163251421.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/inside-briefing-with-the-institute-for-government-97126/episodes/can-the-uk-weather-the-middle-east-storm
Duration seconds: 1924

## Resource

How prepared is the government - and how healthy is the economy - for dealing with another energy bill crisis? The podcast team review the prime minister's response and assess the UK's resilience. The chancellor has delivered a big speech promising more financial devolution to English mayors and closer practical alignment with the EU, but do Rachel Reeves's plans add up? Plus: Should we fire all the permanent secretaries and directors general and replace them with true believers throughout the civil service? No, not a new IfG report but the latest policy from Reform UK. Hannah White presents. With Giles Wilkes, Rosa Hodgkin, and Hannah Keenan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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## Transcript

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