While we await further election results, here is the current status of political control of the regional mayoralties across England courtesy of @sarahroutley.bsky.social. Further @instituteforgovernment.org.uk analysis will follow throughout the day..

With polls open for local and mayoral elections in areas across England, check out our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk briefings to see where they are taking place and what roles are up for election.

MHCLG have just released the outcomes frameworks for Greater Manchester & West Midland's integrated settlements. (Very exciting for any fellow devo enthusiasts!) Read more here - www.gov.uk/government/c...

In a new comment for @instituteforgov.bsky.social I take a look at councils' interim plans for local government reorganisation. They reveal deep disagreements in many places and a need for strong local leadership. Read more here 👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/coun...

Tomorrow at @instituteforgov.bsky.social we're hosting GM Mayor @andyburnham.bsky.social for a keynote speech. The mayor will be setting out his vision for the future of Greater Manchester and making the case for further devolution. Sign up at: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/keynot...

"Rushing out policy decisions to chase small forecast revisions is no way to make stable long-term policy." Follow our IfG experts for our instant reaction to today's spring statement. @tompope.bsky.social @gemmatetlow.bsky.social @danhaile.bsky.social @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social

Planning reform given big emphasis in Rachel Reeves' statement today, including key measures from last week's Planning and Infrastructure Bill. For a breakdown of 5 major changes, check out this recent blog from @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social and me www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/five...

Pothole politics risks undermining MHCLG’s efforts to simplify funding The government’s latest announcement on potholes funding is indicative of wider problems in local government funding, says @rebeccamckee.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/poth...

Want to know how Greater Manchester plans to deliver with their trailblazing integrated settlement? Next week, the Institute for Government welcomes Andy Burnham for a keynote speech and in-conversation. Join us using the link below

There's one week left to apply for a Researcher to join our devolution team! You will have the opportunity to engage with senior policymakers and experts from all parts of the UK. 📅 Applications close on Monday 31 March, 14:00. Find out more www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/about-us/car...

“I’ve spent 10 years in opposition where it’s difficult to change things. I’m not going to spend years in government equally not being able to change things” Keir Starmer tells @drhannahwhite.bsky.social why he wants to change the way govt works – and why it is his responsibility to make it happen.

📣New report from me & @brionya.bsky.social MCAs’ decision-making is often limited by unanimous voting rules Effective decision making for key strategic plans requires a shift to simple majority voting alongside greater capacity and accountability www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

In light of today's announcement - this chart gives some context on how NHS England accounts for almost half of government's total spending on ALBs, and how increases to its budget have been the main driver for the overall increase in funding for ALBs in recent years.

LIVE NOW - tune in to hear the Institute for Government's take on Starmer's latest reforms

As Nicola Sturgeon announces plans to stand down as an MSP at the Holyrood election next year, check out her #MinistersReflect interview in which she discusses her experience as first minister of Scotland and shares her proudest achievements www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/ministers-re...

While we all speculate about what exactly the PM will say tomorrow and what the balance between ministers, depts and public bodies should be over policy decisions, I thought I'd have a look through the @instituteforgov.bsky.social's interviews with former ministers to see what they have to say...

Good news for mayors in today's Planning and Infrastructure Bill: 📍strengthened powers to create spatial development strategies 📍mayoral development corporations can be used to develop greenfield land as well as regenerating brownfield sites publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbi...

Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority held its first board meeting this morning. What powers will the new combined authority hold? What is the history of devolution to the area? Find out in my @instituteforgov.bsky.social explainer 👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/ma...

Excellent new IfG report on making a success of delivering local government reorganisation and devolution at the same time. Read more here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

The Mayor of London has launched a consultation on his plans to transform Oxford street using a mayoral development corporation (MDC). For more about what an MDC is and what powers they have, check out my IfG explainer: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/mayoral-development-corporations

EVENT: How can the government support mayoral combined authorities to deliver economic growth? 🗓️ Tuesday 11 March, 15:00-16:00 Register now to hear our expert panel featuring local government minister @jimmcmahon.co.uk www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/mayora...

Better transparency in public procurement could be a win-win for government and suppliers. New from @sachinsavur.bsky.social and I on making this a reality as this major change in procurement regulation goes live www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/proc...

New Ministers Reflect interviews from @instituteforgov.bsky.social out now! Clare Short, John Denham and Matt Hancock discuss setting up new departments, dealing with the centre of government and facing era defining crises like the the pandemic www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/ministers-re... 🧵

The govt has formally invited local government reorganisation proposals from councils in 21 two-tier areas and 19 unitaries. But how can these areas make a success of it? Our next @instituteforgov.bsky.social devolution event will try to answer this question and many more. Register now 👇

New blog on how the mayor of Liverpool City Region is addressing local skills shortages. As part of a wider research project into devolution & skills for @instituteforgov.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/live...

We’re looking at how UK public inquiries are run & want to explore international models If you ✅ Have experience with public inquiries/similar models internationally (or know someone who has) ✅Know of insightful reports on international models of public inquiry 📣 We’d love to hear from you!

Labour’s plans to extend devolution to more of England’s regions represent a positive step towards completing the map of English devolution. But the government must be alert to the delivery challenges www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/labo...

Yesterday the government announced they were postponing local elections in nine areas - shown in pink on this map from @sarahroutley.bsky.social The reason given is that this "will help the area[s] to deliver both reorganisation and devolution to the most ambitious timeframe.”

Today, the SoS for Housing, Communities and Local Government announced local elections would be postponed from May 2025 to May 2026 for nine councils. We have an @instituteforgov.bsky.social 🧵and a new explainer to answer a few questions: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/lo...

“All the tendency of the system will be to pull you back to the sort of, as the advisers would see it, safer ground” Mark Drakeford shares his advice for new ministers on how to be effective in the role. 📖 Read his full Ministers Reflect interview www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/ministers-re...

NEW: The @instituteforgov.bsky.social has today published exclusive interviews with nine former Scottish and Welsh Ministers. The transcripts are full of insights into brexit, the pandemic, and government breakdowns. But what advice did they have for their fellow ministers?

Today we've published a devolution special Ministers Reflect featuring candid interviews with former ministers from Scotland and Wales. Interviews include former first ministers @nicolasturgeon.bsky.social @humzayousaf.bsky.social, Mark Drakeford www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/ministers-re...

A sneak preview into the IfG's latest Ministers Reflect interviews with former Scottish and Welsh ministers. Watch this space for the full interviews which will be published tomorrow!

Great thread from Sarah on everything we know so far about mayoral candidates for next May!

PODCAST 🎙️ Rachel Reeves takes a gilt trip @estwebber.bsky.social joins the podcast team to look at the challenges facing the chancellor. And we discuss Tulip Siddiq's resignation, Starmer's AI plan, and Whitehall Monitor 2025 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...

Are you also stumbling into the new year in a cheese-addled daze? Have you lost track of the govt's reviews, commissions, reforms and plans? Fear not! We've published a new 'Week in Public Services' including a preview of what 2025 has in store for services. Link below: medium.com/week-in-publ...

Many councils across England meet today to decide whether to bid to join the govt's devolution priority programme. What is it, what's at stake and what will they be considering? Here are some briefing materials from @instituteforgov.bsky.social

New comment piece from me: if Louise Casey wants to improve social care then she should follow the example of the Pensions Commission and rewrite her remit www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/loui...

ICYMI - new reflections from me on a fascinating trip to the Sheffield policy campus for @instituteforgov.bsky.social Some big successes on outreach and senior civil service presence, but further to go on joined-up and regionally collaborative policymaking.

If for some reason you're not able to tune into the webinar, I'll be posting some highlights below ✨ www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/labour...

Make sure to tune into our webinar this morning (9:30-10:30) for our take on the English Devolution white paper and a chance to get your questions answered! www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/labour...

Yesterday I spoke to ITV meridian news about the implications of the new English Devolution White Paper for the South East - drawing on a recent @instituteforgov.bsky.social report

The English Devolution white paper doesn't necessarily offer all the powers that mayors have been calling for, but it does keep the door open This is a welcome move, as the @instituteforgov.bsky.social have prev called for a principle of 'devolve or explain'. As I set out on Times radio last night

At 9:30 tomorrow @akashpaun.bsky.social, @tompope.bsky.social, @rebeccamckee.bsky.social and @matthewfright.bsky.social will be answering all* your questions on the English devolution white paper. Submit your questions on slido (can be anonymous) or put it in the replies and I'll pass it on!

With thanks to the keen-eyed @milliemitchell.bsky.social for spotting, the government's devolution white paper confirms that it's planning for Spatial Development Strategies to apportion housing targets across constituent authorities.

Today the government will launch its English Devolution White Paper. On Wednesday we will analyse the implications in this webinar. While we wait on the govt announcement here is a run down of recent @instituteforgov.bsky.social devolution work

Today the @instituteforgov.bsky.social has published my research into the role that mayors can play to help 'get Britain building'. A 🧵on what the research found

The government is expected to announce plans for the “unitarisation” of a number of England’s two-tier counties in its forthcoming devolution white paper. But what does unitarisation mean? And what are the arguments for and against? www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/lo...

JOB ALERT We have a fantastic researcher role coming up in the @instituteforgov.bsky.social civil service team If you’re interested please consider applying - it’s a brilliant place to work and to contribute to a vital set of debates www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/about-us/car...