Enjoyed chairing this in conversation event with @matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social on the govt’s leasehold reform plans. There’s clear ambition, but also some thorny questions to work through if reform is to succeed in practice. Check out the recording here: m.youtube.com/watch?v=WqCF...

Looking forward to being in conversation with Matthew Pennycook next Wednesday. Join in person or online!

If you are an official making policy in a crisis - this new IfG report from @nehaldavison.bsky.social, @vimbai-dzimwasha.bsky.social and me looks at how different aspects of policymaking can be easier or harder in crisis with prompts to help consider some of the most common challenges 🧵

Really welcome to see the Chief Secretary to the Tsy framing productivity through the lens of cohorts - how to use the same money to improve outcomes for specific groups? This is a qu we’re exploring in policymaking for left-behind groups: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/our-work/top...

also draws on forthcoming @instituteforgovernment.org.uk work on policy making in a crisis... thanks @nehaldavison.bsky.social @vimbai-dzimwasha.bsky.social for letting us have a sneak preview

Labour’s school improvement missions need more than a London Challenge revival. The success of place-based school improvement depends on learning the right lessons from past reforms, writes @emma-conway.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/article/comm...

Clearing the consultation sludge is welcome – but good policy still requires meaningful engagement. Plans to revisit impact assessments show the shift to ‘delivery’ shaping policy, write @vimbai-dzimwasha.bsky.social and @rosahodgkin.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/article/comm...

The view from the IfG: Government in 2026 Our programme directors will be joined by former presenter of the BBC’s Westminster Hour Carolyn Quinn, to discuss their vital work and their verdict on the government’s performance. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...

NEW report from @nehaldavison.bsky.social and I. Why have successive governments failed to tackle persistent inequalities in early years outcomes? We set out 5 systemic policy making failures that lead to some children being 'left behind'. 🧵⬇️ www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

NEW IfG verdict on the child poverty strategy from me and @amberdellar.bsky.social A critical package for the govt, but it needs: - stronger powers/accountability in DWP to lead it - much more robust support for LAs - earlier monitoring/evaluation www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/chil...

Really excited to share this new report today by me & @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social on the opportunity gap facing boys from low-income families at age 5 and beyond. Key findings 👇

🎧🎧Listen now! Brilliant analysis of Starmer’s speech and the Labour conference with @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @cathhaddon.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social and guest @sophiestowers.bsky.social of @moreincommonuk.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...

Fantastic event on the Best Start in Life strategy with @speechandlanguk.bsky.social, Dingley’s Promise, @sarahronan.bsky.social and more. Lots of practical recommendations for building a more inclusive early years system.

The early years were missing from last month’s SR, but Labour’s Best Start in Life strategy shows they are still committed. Read @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social and my and my take on what it gets right - and what it’ll take to make it a reality. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/labo...

Our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk spending review analysis is out! Take a read here www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/spen... Our key takeaways: 1/7

Great thread from @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social on what the SR means for the early years and ambition to give children the “best start in life” 👇

Thanks to all the early years experts who’ve shared insights on the govt’s opportunity mission. Next up: boys eligible for free school meals – one of the most persistently left-behind groups. More here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/early-years-...

Great blog by @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social on the “trilemma” govt faces in adult social care: welcome overseas workers (ruled out this week), boost council funding (unlikely) or accept further decline in access and performance. 👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/adul...

School absence has exploded, but it is preventable. Moira Wallace, first Director of Blair’s Social Exclusion Unit, tells the story of how they brought down record absence in the late 1990s & 2000s and sets out clear lessons for this govt. See 👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

Latest from me on the govt’s ambition to ensure all children are ‘school ready’ 👇

Want to know what the chancellor's announcements mean? Follow the @instituteforgov.bsky.social top public finances team of @gemmatetlow.bsky.social, @tompope.bsky.social and @danhaile.bsky.social!

📣Calling all early years experts and practitioners! Our NEW report reveals which groups of children are most at risk of not being ‘school ready’ - based on the most comprehensive analysis of publicly available data to date. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

NEW report from me and @nehaldavison.bsky.social on school readiness: - Who is most at risk of not being school ready? - What does this mean for the govt's opportunities mission? Is the target for 75% of children to be 'school ready' helpful? 🧵⬇️ www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

New paper from @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social & I exploring who is at greatest risk of not being ‘school ready’ and what this means for the govts Opportunity Mission. Report 👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/... and write up in the @theipaper.com

A very big week for @instituteforgov.bsky.social and our Inside Briefing pod. We’re recording in Hull now and our instalment featuring the PM will land in your podcast feeds tonight.

Calling all UK policy professionals (past and present) who have had to provide rapid advice to ministers under pressure. Fill in our survey 👇 to help us develop new tools that support policymakers to deliver rapid yet robust advice and give policies the best chance of success!

📢Calling all UK policy officials! Have you ever had to provide policy advice under pressure – in a crisis or in response to breaking news? We at the @instituteforgov.bsky.social want to hear from you! Fill out our survey (open until 14 Feb) to share your insights: bit.ly/3Ek2KoM!

TOMORROW: How can the government accelerate its clean power mission? Don't miss our event exploring Labour's progress on decarbonising power by 2030 and the potential pitfalls. @rosahodgkin.bsky.social @chrisstark.bsky.social @dharavyas.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...

EVENT: The future of the Civil Service Policy Profession 🗓️ Thursday 6 Feb, 10:00 Register to hear Tamara Finkelstein, Aaron Maniam, Lord Vallance discuss the Policy Profession and how to embed professional expertise in the policy-making process www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/civil-...

We described these thematic policy reviews as "Dutch-style reviews" in our paper last summer. More info here www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

Excellent to see Darren Jones announce the government will run a "regular programme of thematic reviews" between spending reviews. Done well, these could help drive a more evidence-based and collaborative SR process

Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Treasury speaking at @ifgevents right now. Confirms that the govt has adopted most of the @instituteforgov.bsky.social recommendations on how to conduct a multi-year spending review. #impact

Fascinating presentation from @joetwyman.bsky.social on new polling data for @instituteforgov.bsky.social on what people think about the govt‘s progress so far. Clear call for govt to listen more to women, older people, younger people, experts and others to ensure policies deliver results.

Our Government 2025 annual conference is underway. We're discussing how Labour has performed since returning to government, and what challenges – and opportunities – await in 2025. Tune in live now www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...

It’s @instituteforgov.bsky.social Whitehall Monitor launch day today! Brilliant colleagues @jackworlidge.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social @tompope.bsky.social and more bring you the essential study of how the civil service is performing… www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

@sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social visited the Sheffield Policy Campus in October – home to the largest number of policy civil servants outside London. Check out her comment on its successes so far and how it can step up a gear to be truly transformative👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/shef...

Late night McFadden content we all want Opening up civil service + ‘test-and-learn’ are good. Also CDL’s commitment to risk appetite (but ministers too) Need to go deeper on accountability/money, culture & learning With @nehaldavison.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/pat-...

Would you like to be a researcher here at the IfG? Interested in making government more effective? Applications are now open to join our civil service team. Find out more and apply by Thursday 9 January ⏰👇https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/about-us/careers/current-vacancies/researcher

Our @instituteforgov.bsky.social reaction to today’s Plan for Change A positive development, but challenges ahead on targets/milestones, including about the money And a shot across the bows for the civil service www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/keir...

Latest from me on the govt’s plans to tackle worklessness. Joined-up action to support the long-term unemployed into jobs is a welcome step, but success depends on cross-government commitment and business confidence - both of which remain uncertain. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/get-...

PODCAST 🎙️ Cabi-not yet secretary @rafaelbehr.bsky.social joins @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social to speculate about who might get the cabinet sec job. Plus: @nehaldavison.bsky.social on “Get Britain Working” and electric cars www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...

The govt has announced a review of the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate after pushback from the car industry. Last month @liliangreenwood.bsky.social joined us to discuss how to accelerate charging infrastructure and boost EV demand. Watch the event 👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...

Great lineup of speakers at @apolitical.bsky.social panel on whether radical incrementalism or revolution can save us from tech, geopolitical and climate crises. #apoliticalday #futureofgovernment

Check out our @instituteforgov.bsky.social series on turning manifesto promises into tangible results. So far we’ve looked at Lords reform, GB Energy, the Review of Sentencing and Workers’ Rights drawing on lessons from past governments: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/our-work/top...

🔋Here are a few snippets from our event on how the government can roll out EV charging infrastructure Our panel included Lilian Greenwood MP, Ian Howells, Bharat Pathania, @rosahodgkin.bsky.social and @nehaldavison.bsky.social 🎧Watch/listen back: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...

Standing room only @instituteforgov.bsky.social and health foundation event at #labourconference24 on prevention in public services. @emmanorris.bsky.social @njdavies.bsky.social

Heading to Liverpool for the Labour Party Conference next week? Join us for a series of fringe events on industrial strategy, devolution, public services, net zero and more. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/ifg-la...

NEW - Where will the Liberal Democrats position themselves on the government's housing plans? Comment from me reflecting on our @instituteforgov.bsky.social and Thakeham event at Lib Dem conference earlier this week