The world's biggest tech companies now shape what we see, think and do online every day - raising big questions about who really holds the balance of power between them and national governments.

The previous government proposed banning social media for under-16s, a policy Andy Burnham has also backed. But is that enough? As Burnham sets out his agenda, what should he prioritise in his first 100 days to protect children online, strengthen the UK's digital independence and make powerful tech companies more accountable?

In this special deep-dive from the Policy Fix, Nesta's policy podcast, Nesta CEO Ravi Gurumurthy sits down with some of the country’s leading experts on policy and government. Rather than just rehearsing the problems facing Burnham, they stress-test the big ideas that should shape his agenda, discuss the policy solutions he should actually pursue and map out the steps he should take to get started in his first 100 days.

In this episode, Ravi is joined by filmmaker, politician and leading voice on children’s rights in the digital environment, Baroness Beeban Kidron OBE, to unpack the steps Andy Burnham should take to decisively reclaim public control from Silicon Valley.

Taking a wider view than proposed responses like social media bans or regulating AI, Beeban argues the real challenge is the growing power of a handful of tech companies. She explains why governments should hold platforms responsible for harmful and addictive products, not just the content they host.

The conversation also explores the risks of powerful AI, why the UK should make better use of trusted public data from organisations like the NHS and the BBC and how Britain can build digital technology that serves the public interest instead of corporate profit.

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As Prime Minister, Andy Burnham will need to find money to fund public services and deliver on his promises. But how should he raise it? Is a wealth tax the answer, or are there better ways to reform Britain's tax system?

In this special deep-dive from the Policy Fix podcast, Nesta CEO Ravi Gurumurthy speaks to leading experts about the big decisions facing a new Prime Minister. Together, they test the ideas that could shape Burnham's first 100 days and explore what it would take to turn them into action.

In this episode, Ravi is joined by economist Dr Arun Advani to explore how Burnham could raise billions while making the tax system fairer and simpler.

Rather than introducing an annual wealth tax straight away, Arun argues there are faster, more practical reforms. He explains how changes to capital gains tax and National Insurance could raise significant revenue while encouraging investment and closing loopholes.

The conversation also explores whether the UK's property tax system needs an overhaul, the trade-offs between local and national tax reform, and how government can create a tax system that is fairer, more stable and fit for the future.

Liked the episode? Rate, review, subscribe – and share it with your network.

We are a UK charity and our work is enabled by a financial endowment. Nesta is a registered charity in England and Wales 1144091 and Scotland SC042833.

To find out more or connect with us, check out our website and socials:

Website: nesta.org.uk

Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/nestauk.bsky.social

Facebook: facebook.com/nesta.uk

Instagram: instagram.com/nesta_uk/?hl=en

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/nesta

Bringing essential services back under public control is a key part of Andy Burnham’s agenda. But with rising energy bills, struggling water infrastructure and growing frustration with privatised utilities, how can government deliver change without the cost of buying everything back?

In this special deep-dive from the Policy Fix podcast, Nesta CEO Ravi Gurumurthy speaks to leading experts about the big decisions facing a new Prime Minister. Together, they test the ideas that could shape Burnham's first 100 days and explore what it would take to turn them into action.

In this episode, Ravi Gurumurthy is joined by economist and Nesta policy fellow Tony Curzon Price to explore how a new government can give the public more control over essential services without returning to old models of nationalisation.

They discuss why traditional regulation has often failed to deliver better outcomes and how government could take a more active role in shaping markets - from energy and water to digital services. The conversation also explores how better use of data could give people more control online and why creating a stronger public digital infrastructure could help build fairer markets.

Listen now to discover the practical steps Andy Burnham could take in his first 100 days to rebuild trust, improve public services and rethink the role of government.

Liked the episode? Rate, review, subscribe - and share with your network.

We are a UK charity and our work is enabled by a financial endowment. Nesta is a registered charity in England and Wales 1144091 and Scotland SC042833.

To find out more or connect with us, check out our website and socials:

Website: nesta.org.uk

Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/nestauk.bsky.social

Facebook:facebook.com/nesta.uk

Instagram: instagram.com/nesta_uk/hl=en

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/nesta