Wes Streeting has dismissed accusations of plotting a leadership challenge against the PM as “self-defeating nonsense”. But what impact does this type of row have across the government? Find out on the latest Inside Briefing 🎧👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...

The government has announced that police and crime commissioners will be abolished. But what is the reason for this? Why was the role created? And what will happen to the functions of police and crime commissioners? Read our explainer www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/po...

“It would be good to think that Sir Keir read the Institute for Government’s March 2024 report on reforming the centre of government. His failure to grip these issues last July or since suggests he did not.” www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

EVENT | How can the fast stream deliver more for the civil service? 📅 Monday 17 November, 18:00-19:00 Join us in person or online as we explore what's next for the civil service's flagship talent development programme www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/civil-...

As demand rises for most public services, falling pupil numbers give the government a rare opportunity www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/empt...

What tax promises did Labour make in its 2024 manifesto – and what options does the chancellor have for raising taxes in the budget? Amid reports about Rachel Reeves' tax and spending plans, check out our explainer from @jillongovt.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/la...

EVENT | In conversation with John Swinney MSP, First Minister of Scotland @johnswinney.bsky.social joins us to discuss his priorities as First Minister, and the SNP’s vision ahead of the 2026 Scottish parliament election. @akashpaun.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/john-s...

Big pre-budget @financialtimes.com story... Read it... And then listen again to last week's @instituteforgovernment.org.uk budget about chancellors and the art of pitch-rolling their budget announcements. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...

PODCAST 🎙️ Keir Starmer’s government: Traitors or Faithfuls? What do the media briefings against Wes Streeting say about how No.10 is working – or not? @cathhaddon.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social @jillongovt.bsky.social discuss www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...

Empty classrooms present government with a challenge and an opportunity The government needs to show strategic direction on school places, says @amberdellar.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/empt...

'Cornwall council offered suppliers £6m to staff illegal children’s homes' This might be a new low in terms of normalising children living in unlawful settings, but unfortunately, it really shouldn't come as a surprise

How do public sector pensions work and how are they funded? www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/pu...

EVENT | In conversation with John Swinney MSP, First Minister of Scotland 🗓 Weds 19 November, 14:00 Join us to hear @johnswinney.bsky.social discuss his priorities, and the SNP’s vision ahead of the 2026 Scottish parliament election www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/john-s...

The fast stream saw record application volumes in the last recruitment cycle. But different categories of applicants had different odds of getting on the scheme - with success rates for non-Russell Group candidates several times lower than those for Oxbridge applicants (0.4% to 4.7%).

PODCAST 🎙️ Rachel Reeves and the art of pitch rolling the budget ICYMI former Treasury advisers @stewartwood.bsky.social and Giles Winn reveal how chancellors prepare the ground for budget day www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...

In two weeks' time, Rachel Reeves will deliver her second budget as chancellor. Join us online on 26 November for our instant reaction to the chancellor's plan for the economy - with @danhaile.bsky.social @jillongovt.bsky.social @gilesyb.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/autumn...

Cross-party agreement can create political space for tax reform It is time to take the political heat out of attempts to reform the tax system www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/cros...

Are you interested in the fast stream’s role in the wider civil service recruitment ecosystem, and what the future fast stream reform efforts focus on? Join us next Monday for our event How can the fast stream deliver more for the civil service? www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/civil-...

🚨EVENT POSTPONED | In Conversation with Eluned Morgan MS, First Minister of Wales We’re pleased to confirm that this event has been rescheduled and now has a new date: 📆 Thursday 22 January We’re looking forward to welcoming you then. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/conver...

On Wednesday 26 November, Rachel Reeves will deliver her second budget as chancellor. Follow our autumn budget 2025 page for our analysis of the current fiscal context facing the chancellor and how Reeves should approach tax policy making www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/autumn-budge...

EVENT | The government's digital ID plan: why now and what for? 📆 Tuesday 18 November, 15:00-16:00 Join us to discuss the problems digital ID would solve and the challenges of implementing the policy www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...

EVENT |The government's digital ID plan: why now and what for? An expert panel discusses what problems digital ID would solve and the challenges of implementing the policy. @timdurrant.bsky.social @morganwild.bsky.social @matthewfeeney.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...

There is a strong case for looking at reforms to public sector pensions. But the focus should be recruitment and retention to improve public services www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/publ...

Has Rachel Reeves rolled the budget pitch? And how did former chancellors manage expectations? Fascinating @instituteforgovernment.org.uk podcast with @stewartwood.bsky.social Giles Winn @gemmatetlow.bsky.social @jillongovt.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/rach...

I discuss this - and other questions about how chancellors can roll the pitch for Budget tax changes - in this week's @instituteforgovernment.org.uk podcast, with @jillongovt.bsky.social and former SpAds Giles Winn and Stewart Wood www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/rach...

EU reset getting a bit stuck according to @financialtimes.com www.ft.com/content/03ef... (£). For free you can join our expert panel @instituteforgovernment.org.uk @ukandeu.bsky.social to hear about it on 19/11. Sign up here www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/six-mo...

EVENT |The Trump challenge: Chaos, confusion and government communications @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social, Katy Balls @thetimes.com and Simon Baugh will discuss the impact of Trump’s unpredictable approach to facts, accuracy and communication. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/trump-...

WEBINAR | The Covid Inquiry: What does Module II say about government decision making and political governance? Join our IfG experts webinar to unpack the Covid Inquiry's findings and explore their implications for future governance. 🎟️ www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/covid-...

For too long, growth-enhancing tax reforms have been prevented by the intense political heat that surrounds any such changes. This new report should help create space for this and future governments to make much-needed improvements www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/cros...

Public sector pensions reforms should focus on workforce recruitment and retention www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/publ...

I wrote this last week, and then last night we find out that Lisa Nandy has been rapped over the knuckles for failing to acknowledge donations from the government's nominee to chair the new Football Regulator. Again - just check things properly people, make sure you're squeaky clean!

EVENT |The government's digital ID plan: why now and what for? @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social, @matthewfeeney.bsky.social, @timdurrant.bsky.social will discusses what problems digital ID would solve and the challenges of implementing the policy. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...

📸Snapshots | IfG DevoLab #3: How devolution can improve transport connectivity We are grateful to our panel for joining us on Thursday in Leeds: Councilor Susan Hinchcliffe, @rich-crabtree.bsky.social @tombridges.bsky.social Watch back the event: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/devola...

📸Snapshots | Leadership change in the civil service: How can new permanent secretaries deliver for government? A big thank you to our panel: Atul Devani, John-Paul Marks CB, Baroness Gisela Stuart and @alexgathomas.bsky.social Watch back the event www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/leader...

Cross-party agreement can create political space for tax reform It is time to take the political heat out of attempts to reform the tax system, says @gemmatetlow.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/cros...

Reform UK’s Richard Tice has put public sector pensions in the spotlight. @drbenpaxton.bsky.social says there is good reason to explore changes to the system – but not for the reasons Tice has put forward www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/publ...

NEW: the latest in our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Performance Tracker series is out today And ace colleague @amberdellar.bsky.social has been looking at school performance The data is.. worrying @laurahughesft.bsky.social at the @financialtimes.com has the story www.ft.com/content/9be6...

Here's Amber's @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report Which finds that the equivalent of 23,000 primary school classrooms are empty across England, the highest number since records began (and there's loads of more fascinating data in there) www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

Amazing work by Amber! This is part of @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's Public Services Performance Tracker 2025. We've published chapters on local govt, criminal justice + schools. NHS + cross-service analysis chapters will be out in next 2 weeks www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

New publication! In the latest chapter of our Performance Tracker 2025, @amberdellar.bsky.social argues that it will be extremely difficult for the government to meet its education priorities within the budget it has set for the coming parliament. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

Our third IfG DevoLab on how devolution can improve transport connectivity will be starting in 5 minutes. 🚨 Watch the livestream - and submit your questions for our panel via Slido 📺❓ www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/devola...

NEW REPORT Labour is struggling to meet its education priorities. It has big ambitions to improve schools, but a budget that falls short of matching them. And with no clear plans to reform the SEND system or tackle workforce shortages, children are being left without the support they need.

[NEW] The government’s spending plans mean it will struggle to narrow gaps in educational outcomes, address the SEND crisis and tackle teacher shortages by the end of this parliament. Read the latest in our Public Services Performance Tracker www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

TOMORROW | IfG DevoLab #3: How devolution can improve transport connectivity Join us at 10:30, live from Leeds, to hear from Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Huw Jenkins @lpoolcityregion.bsky.social, Richard Crabtree and @jillongovt.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/devola...

The dramatic rise in prisoners released in error is just one aspect of a collapsing criminal justice system. Read our recent comment from @cassiarowland.bsky.social following today's news of another mistaken prisoner release www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/pris...

Good to be quoted in this piece Reform's promises to cut council spending were always unrealistic and showed no understanding of what local government does or how it's funded The fact that they now can only point to tiny savings, shows how little they've achieved www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

🎥 Snapshots | Leadership change in the civil service: How can new permanent secretaries deliver for government? The IfG was delighted to be joined for a panel discussion on civil service leadership, recruitment and change. Watch back the event: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/leader...

There are only three weeks to go until Rachel Reeves delivers her second budget as chancellor. Follow our autumn budget 2025 page for our analysis of the current fiscal context facing the chancellor and how Reeves should approach tax policy making www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/autumn-budge...

The monarch plays an important role in both government and the UK parliament. But the extent of its role and powers has changed significantly over the centuries. Our latest explainer explores www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/mo...

WEBINAR | Autumn budget 2025: What is Rachel Reeves’ plan for the economy? Our IfG team will share their instant and analysis of the chancellor’s plans @jillongovt.bsky.social @gilesyb.bsky.social @njdavies.bsky.social @danhaile.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/online...