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, 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 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.

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

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

Dr Arun Advani, director, Centre for the Analysis of Taxation (CenTax)

Arun Advani is the Director of the Centre for the Analysis of Taxation (CenTax) and a Professor of Economics at the University of Warwick. He is also a Research Fellow at the Institute for Fiscal Studies and holds affiliations with the International Inequalities Institute, the CAGE Research Centre, CESifo, and the IZA. Additionally, he serves as an Editor at International Tax and Public Finance, where he manages the Policy Watch section, an Associate Editor at Fiscal Studies, and a member of the Editorial Board of the Economics Observatory.

His research focuses on issues of migration, tax design, tax compliance and inequality, with a particular emphasis on high-income and high-wealth individuals. A former Commissioner at the Wealth Tax Commission, he also works on environmental taxation, economic development, migration, and taxation in low- and middle-income countries.

In addition to his academic research, Arun is the co-chair of the Discover Economics campaign, which aims to increase diversity among those studying and working in economics. From 2020 to 2022, he served as a member of the Department for Education Skills and Productivity Board from its creation until its abolition.

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.