The UK has an extraordinary amount of taxes and exemptions. The result is a system burdened by complexity, distorted incentives and a tax gap estimated to be billions.

With big promises to take back control of public utilities, ease the cost of living and build thousands of council homes, Andy Burnham needs serious cash. Can fixing Britain’s broken tax system and closing our tax gap help him foot the bill?

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 tax expert Dan Neidle to explore how Andy Burnham could claw back billions by closing the tax gap. Our duo explore how to fix our broken tax system - from changing capital gains tax to raise billions to a Small Business Tax Commission that could help tackle modern tax avoidance and fraud without placing extra burdens on ordinary small businesses.

Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

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Dan Neidle, founder, Tax Policy Associates

Dan Neidle is one of Britain’s most respected voices on taxation and public policy. After 23 years at Clifford Chance—culminating in leading its UK tax practice—he stepped aside in 2022 to create Tax Policy Associates, a non-profit that brings forensic clarity to the most complex fiscal issues.

His independent investigations have reshaped national headlines. In 2022–23, Neidle’s analysis of Nadhim Zahawi’s offshore share structure triggered a multi-million-pound HMRC settlement and the minister’s eventual dismissal, earning Neidle the British Journalism Award for “Investigation of the Year.”

In 2024, Neidle received the John Stokdyk Outstanding Contribution Award at the Accounting Excellence Awards, recognising his significant impact on the accounting and tax profession. He also launched the BBC Radio 4 series “Untaxing” in March 2025, demystifying complex tax issues for a broader audience.

Today, he briefs boards, regulators, and parliamentary committees on everything from corporate tax governance to the economics of windfall levies. Media outlets including the BBC, Financial Times and The Guardian rely on his razor-sharp commentary to decode fast-moving policy debates and high-profile tax scandals.

Ravi Gurumurthy, group chief executive officer, Nesta

Ravi Gurumurthy is group chief executive officer, joining Nesta as chief executive in December 2019. Nesta’s mission is to design, test and scale solutions to society's biggest challenges, from sustainability and health to educational inequality.

Ravi also leads the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT), often known as the ‘Nudge Unit’. BIT has grown from a small team in No 10 Downing Street to a 250-person global social purpose consultancy and a subsidiary of Nesta.

Prior to joining Nesta, Ravi co-founded and led the Airbel Innovation Lab at the International Rescue Committee. He was responsible for designing new products and services for people affected by crises in over 40 countries.

Ravi worked in the UK government from 1999 to 2013. He was an adviser and speechwriter to Foreign Secretary David Miliband, leading the creation of Every Child Matters and the Children Act 2004, and the world’s first legally binding climate legislation.

Ravi has held a number of non-executive roles, including lead non-executive director for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero.