# Tinker, Tailor, Starmer, Spies

An episode of [Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1484110214), 16 Oct 2025, 36 min.

Audio: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/NSR8073189545.mp3

With the prime ministers facing awkward questions over the collapse of the Chinese spy case, the Guardian’s Gaby Hinsliff joins the podcast team to explore the row and what it says about the UK’s relations with Beijing. Local authorities provide services that everybody relies on, but the findings of a new IfG report into the state of local government finances and services makes for some eye-watering reading. We dig into the detail. Plus: A big week for the government’s standards and ethics regime! Goodbye ACOBA, and hello Ethics and Integrity Commission. So how will this all work? Hannah White presents, with Stuart Hoddinott, Amber Dellar and Tim Durrant. Produced by Milo Hynes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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