The UK is facing a new energy crisis. As conflict in the Middle East chokes global markets, inflation-weary, struggling consumers are facing waves of costs, from their energy bills to food prices. The UK remains uniquely exposed to these shocks; despite spending billions on short-term relief like the Energy Price Guarantee during the Ukraine crisis, the country has yet to solve the underlying structural vulnerability of its energy system.

In this episode of the Policy Fix, joining host Joe Owen are Nesta CEO Ravi Gurumurthy and sustainable future mission director Madeleine Gabriel to untangle this latest shock. They compare the current crisis to the gas-driven spike of 2022 and debate the government’s next move, weighing targeted support against general subsidies.

The conversation explores the future of North Sea oil, the potential for an energy-saving volunteer force, and why pragmatism is now the most powerful case for electrification. Hear our guests argue that the government must move beyond expensive, short-term bailouts to instead make clean energy irresistible. By reframing electrification as a matter of national security and economic efficiency, the UK can finally break the cycle of energy crises for good.

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

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Ravi Gurumurthy, 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, and is currently NED for NHS England, and lead NED for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero.

Madeleine Gabriel, mission director, sustainable future mission, Nesta

Madeleine leads Nesta’s mission to significantly cut carbon emissions from UK homes by 2030.

Her team works with national, devolved and local governments, consumers and industry to develop, test and scale up ideas, policies and initiatives that can speed up the transition to greener homes.

Madeleine previously led Nesta’s work on inclusive innovation, researching ways to create an equitable, innovation-led economy in the UK. She has published widely on innovation practices that promote sustainability and social impact. Madeleine has also worked as a consultant evaluating local and national government programmes across a wide range of policy areas, including public health, housing, learning and skills and local economic development.