No live blog from us today, instead we'll be bringing you expert insights and analysis from across the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk - starting with this from @cassiarowland.bsky.social who leads our work on criminal justice

The day’s first casualty: James Timpson resigns as prisons minister. This is a big surprise! Timpson had a long history as a prisons reformer before entering government and seen as one of Starmer’s more innovative & exciting appointments. He’s also delivered a big change programme in gov. So: why?

Burnham inherits a tricky fiscal situation. That may become tougher still, with a worsening forecast and expensive policy ambitions We argue that, while politically tricky, he should consider ditching Starmer and Reeves' tax lock pledge, which tied their hands More from us 👇

Making press releases more political won’t improve how government communicates @jillongovt.bsky.social says Steph Driver’s experiences of government communications are worth studying – even if her solutions may not bring about the results she wants www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...

Keir Starmer ducked the scale of the government’s fiscal challenges on entering office. Andy Burnham now has the opportunity to avoid making the same mistake, say @tompope.bsky.social, @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social and @drbenpaxton.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/burn...

NEW: How did Keir Starmer's government approach government comms? What could Andy Burnham do differently? In a new IfG report, Steph Driver, former No.10 director of comms, sets our her experiences in government - & her recommendations for reform www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

🎓 Researchers: Discover how your evidence can shape policy. Our interactive online workshop explores UK government and policymaking - and provides practical engagement skills. Limited to 20 participants per session. Book now: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/ifg-academy/...

💡This week we partnered with the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's DevoLab to explore how can mayors can support a just climate transition. @matpaterson.bsky.social discussed regional policy levers, locally owned assets and why community support is crucial for climate action. 👉 tinyurl.com/yuv96hrp

Within days of becoming PM, Keir Starmer was at a NATO summit in the US. There are fewer compelling early summits facing PM Burnham, but he still will need to start building relations on the international stage, writes @jillongovt.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/burn...

Government must improve fraud prevention before the next crisis @drbenpaxton.bsky.social says while recovering lost money is crucial, ensuring government is better able to avoid fraud in the next crisis is even more important www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...

Work with us! Applications are open to join our communications team as an Events Officer. You will support the design and co-ordination of the IfG's programme of public and private events Find out more about the role and how to apply www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/about-us/car...

Local government reorganisation decisions are due today, shaping the future of local government in many areas. For those thinking about what comes next, the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk making a success of LGR series, delivered in partnership with @grantthorntonuk.bsky.social, is a great resource.

Andy Burnham faces many big choices as he prepares to enter No10. One of the lower-profile, but potentially most consequential, is how he responds to last week's @ethicsandintegrity.bsky.social report on lobbying... I've been having a look at his options for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk

If Burnham wants to do welfare reform, then No.10 must help navigate the big trade-offs (not just leave this to HMT/DWP). Putting senior people in No.10 who understand just how difficult that is should help (Cooke was a DWP adviser with Purnell 2008-09, then DWP SpAd in 2024 before moving to No.10)

Our final session at our regulation conference will be starting in 15 minutes. We will explore how to create a regulatory system that attracts investment - with George Eustice, Mark McAllister, Stefanie Voelz and @gilesyb.bsky.social. Watch live 📺 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/regula...

The next session at our 'Regulation in a changing world' conference will be starting in 15 minutes. Watch as we discuss delivering government policy through regulation with Caleb Deeks, Lord Michael Gove, Dame Clare Moriarty and Natalie Prosser www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/regula...

Our conference on Regulation in a changing world will be starting in 10 minutes.🚨📺 Tune in for our first session, including a welcome from @drhannahwhite.bsky.social and keynote speech by @blairmcdougall.com. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/regula...

The Ethics and Integrity Commission has provided Andy Burnham with a shopping list of options for improving integrity in public life. The next PM has an opportunity to show he is serious about a new approach to government www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/andy...

NEW REPORT: how to make a success of SEND reform Government needs to get off the sidelines and build a SEND system that makes it easier for schools, councils and health services to work together. Our new report sets out how 🧵

EVENT | Regulation in a changing world: How to meet the needs of the future? 📅Today, 13:45-17:25 A half-day conference bringing together experts from across government, industry and civil society to discuss the future of regulation in the UK. The conference will include...

NEW | Joining up SEND: How government can make special educational needs and disabilities services more cohesive Our latest publication, by @amberdellar.bsky.social, explores how to begin fixing SEND by making the system more adherent Read it here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

EVENT | IfG DevoLab #6: How can mayors support a just climate transition? 📅Today, 17:30-19:00 Join us in 30 minutes at the Institute for Government to explore how mayors and local leaders can use devolved powers to support a just climate transition.

EVENT | Regulation in a changing world: How to meet the needs of the future? 📅Wednesday 15 July 2026, 13:45-17:25 A half-day conference bringing together experts from across government, industry and civil society to discuss the future of regulation in the UK. The conference will include...

Now underway. Tune in to hear @eddavey.libdems.org.uk in conversation with @drhannahwhite.bsky.social. Submit your questions via Slido www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/ed-dav...

EVENT | In conversation with Sir Ed Davey MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats 📅Today, 13:30-14:30 Join us today as the IfG is pleased to welcome Sir Ed Davey MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, to set out his priorities for political and constitutional reform.

We are hiring - just two weeks to go to apply for this rare senior role at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk working with our brilliant team to make government work better for the people of the UK!

Join our brilliant panel at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk (or online) this evening to discuss how devolved powers and funding are being used to support the climate transition. We'll have presentations on: - Place-based net zero investment - Community energy - Climate commissions

With one week to go until Burnham becomes PM, I've been looking ahead to his first reshuffle - obviously he'll want to signal that he's doing politics differently by bringing in different people to his top team, but beyond that I think he should be careful about moving too many people around...

NEW | Andy Burnham must find the right balance between picking his new ministerial team and keeping effective ministers in place – or risk unnecessarily delaying his government’s ability to deliver change, warns @timdurrant.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/burn...

EVENT | Regulation in a changing world: How to meet the needs of the future? 📅Wednesday 15 July 2026, 13:45-17:25 A half-day conference bringing together experts from across government, industry and civil society to discuss the future of regulation in the UK. The conference will include...

With no permanent secretary and in the midst of a muddled restructure, the FCDO is a department in turmoil. Burnham will need to spend time repairing this bit of Whitehall if he is to achieve his foreign policy aims, says @hannahkeenan.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/andy...

EVENT | IfG DevoLab #6: How can mayors support a just climate transition? 📅Tuesday 14 July 2026 (tomorrow), 17:30-19:00 Join us at the Institute for Government to explore how mayors and local leaders can use devolved powers to support a just climate transition.

Thanks @alistrathern.bsky.social - brilliant to have you with us. If you missed it, you can find the recording in Ali's thread below. Check out our reports on why policy making has served this group poorly and what government can do about it here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/our-work/top...

Boys from families living on low-incomes have been ‘left behind’ in early years policy making for decades. Great to join @instituteforgovernment.org.uk last month to talk about how we can put this right.

With mayoral devolution set to take centre stage in Government thinking, join this fantastic @instituteforgovernment.org.uk event tomorrow evening to learn how mayors are using their powers and influence to support a just climate transition. Signup details below.

Keir Starmer has started his final week as PM. So what have been the big moments of his premiership, and what can his successor learn from the last two years? We @instituteforgovernment.org.uk have been having a look back... www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

NEW | Reflecting on Keir Starmer’s premiership Just over two years after entering Downing Street, Starmer has resigned as prime minister. Our team looks back at the successes, shortcomings and missed opportunities that defined his time in office: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

PODCAST 🎙️ Burnham, Binface and Starmer's final flight Reform UK may have dominated headlines, but Westminster's attention is turning to a far bigger political moment: the arrival of Britain's next PM The IfG's experts are in the studio to discuss www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...

EVENT | In conversation with Sir Ed Davey MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats 📅Tuesday 14 July 2026 (tomorrow), 13:30-14:30 Join us tomorrow as the IfG is pleased to welcome Sir Ed Davey MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, to set out his priorities for political and constitutional reform.

Keir Starmer’s public service inheritance for Andy Burnham is a mixture of pitfalls, limited choices and some opportunities to push services in a better direction, writes @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social Read our latest comment piece: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/burn...

EVENT | IfG DevoLab #6: How can mayors support a just climate transition? 📅Tuesday 14 July 2026, 17:30-19:00 Join us at the Institute for Government to explore how mayors and local leaders can use devolved powers to support a just climate transition.

PODCAST 🎙️ Burnham, Binface and Starmer's final flight Reform UK may have dominated headlines, but Westminster's attention is turning to a far bigger political moment: the arrival of Britain's next PM. The IfG's experts are in the studio to discuss www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...

Join our team! We are looking for a Director, UK Government to become a core member of our senior team. You will lead the work of our UK government team on all aspects of central UK government and parliament. ⏰Applications close on Monday 27 July www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/about-us/car...

EVENT | Regulation in a changing world: How to meet the needs of the future? 📅 Wednesday 15 July, 13:45 — 17:25 Join us for our half-day conference bringing together experts to discuss the future of regulation in the UK. 📺 Watch @drmatthewgill.bsky.social explain more about the day

EVENT | In conversation with Sir Ed Davey MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats 📅Tuesday 14 July 2026, 13:30-14:30 The IfG is pleased to welcome Sir Ed Davey MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, to set out his priorities for political and constitutional reform.

As ever, the proof will be in the pudding but lots of interesting stuff in here and good to see the (almost certain to be) new PM doing thinking about positively engaging with their own MPs as well as parliament more broadly

There's just a week to go until our half-day conference, Regulation in a changing world: How to meet the needs of the future? Watch as @drmatthewgill.bsky.social reveals more about the day and our speakers. Interested in joining us on Weds 15 July? Check out the links below

Nominations for the Labour Party leadership open tomorrow. So with Andy Burnham confirming that he will run to replace Keir Starmer, what are the potential leadership challenges that could happen? Read our explainer for more www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/la...

I had a guess a few months ago that big changes might be afoot in GDS and it looks like they are. GDS published a blog saying that they are "evolving" the service standard "to define what “good” looks like for the future of public services" (1/3)

On byelections, writs, and timetables. 1. For a by-election to be held, a writ (a document calling for an election to take place in a particular constituency) needs to be sent to the constituency returning officer who will oversee the election.