[5] He reunited with Schlesinger for the six-part sequel series In the Balance (BBC Radio 4, 1997), about George Cragge's investigation into a series of murders during a FIFA World Cup at Wembley Stadium, a summit of EU leaders and an upcoming general election, which he wrote alone.
[7] Tavener reunited with executive producer Paul Schlesinger and producer Dawn Ellis to create the spin-off series Absolute Power (BBC Radio Four, 2000–2006) featuring the supporting characters of Charles Prentis and Martin McCabe from In the Red and its sequels In the Chair and In the End, who having left their previous positions as BBC executives have set up their own public relations firm.
[8] After three series on radio, Schlesinger produced a television adaptation of the same name (BBC Two, 2003–2005), although, as with In the Red, Tavener was not involved in the writing of this.
Between Absolute Power's final radio series and the one-off special, Tavener and producer Dawn Ellis created two six-part series of High Table, Lower Orders (BBC Radio Four, 2005–2006), featuring a murder mystery at a Cambridge College similar to the one the writer had attended.
His final work was a collaboration with the comedian Steve Punt on the four-part series, His Master's Voice (BBC Radio Four, 2007), set in the offices of a fictional Conservative magazine, which was produced by Dawn Ellis.