IfG DevoLab #1: How devolution can address health inequalities
14 July 2025, 5:30 pm – 6:45 pm
Location: Online / Institute for Government, 2 Carlton Gardens, London SW1Y 5AA
Think tank: Institute for Government

This event hosted by UK think tank the Institute for Government explores how mayors and local leaders can use devolved powers to reduce health inequalities.
The IfG DevoLab is a new Institute for Government initiative dedicated to exploring the innovations enabled by devolution, learning from the results, and sharing the lessons so that places can take better decisions about how to use devolved powers and budgets.
The first ever IfG DevoLab event will see speakers from three regions set out how the powers and profile of mayors are being used to address health inequalities in their regions.
The three case studies being presented at IfG DevoLab #1 are:
- ‘Beds for Babies: Safe Space to Sleep’, by Andy Gates, Director of Development, Collaboration and Culture at the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
- ‘Taking a health in all policies approach’, by Vicky Hobart, Director of Public Health at the Greater London Authority Group.
- ‘Working Well’, by Thomas Britton, Principal – Contracted Employment Provision at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
The three speakers will be joined by Peter Babudu, Executive Director of Impact on Urban Health, for a broader discussion of how devolution can improve health outcomes, how the government can support innovation and learning, and whether there is a case for further devolution in this area.
This event, which is taking place in London and can also be joined online, will be chaired by Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.
Insights from this event will inform a published policy briefing containing the three case studies and the key lessons for mayors and local leaders.