In this episode Harriet and Grahame interview Sir Simon Clarke, who served as both Exchequer Secretary (with responsibility amongst other things for gaming duty and oil taxes) and Chief Secretary to the Treasury in the last Conservative government.

They have a wide ranging conversation that focuses on what's it like to be at the heart of the tax decision making process, how is policy made, who initiates it, what is a minister's role and some general chat about what it was like being in the middle of a succession of major international crises from 2019 - 2022.

The episode gives a true insight into the depths of expertise and how the system works from a minister's perspective.

Sir Simon is now a leading light in Onward UK, Britain's leading centre right think tank.

Episode ID: 1000736020969

GUID: 1c03fb1c-f047-4792-965b-ab2bc3e322c8

Release Date: 10/11/2025, 05:30:00