For anyone looking for something to listen to in the sun this weekend, do check out this podcast from my brilliant colleague @matthewfright.bsky.social where he explores how the local elections might impact the LGR process.

What might the Makerfield by-election mean for the Labour party leadership? Our flowchart explores the potential Labour leadership challenges. Read our explainer to find out more about how a Labour Party leadership contest works 👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/la...

Following the devolved elections, first ministers Rhun ap Iorwerth and John Swinney have made their ministerial appointments. A new paper from @rebeccamckee.bsky.social and me draws on the IfG’s Ministers Reflect archive to outline key lessons on how to be an effective devolved government minister.

WMCA’s new Birmingham East MDC will accelerate projects like the Sports Quarter. Our latest @instituteforgovernment.org.uk DevoLab report shows how MDCs are being used to unlock investment and deliver at pace - with Birmingham as a key case study⬇️ www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

Last weeks elections may feel like quite a long time ago for some... but there's still loads to dissect. @meganisaac.bsky.social has set out thoughts from across the IfG below (with lots of lovely charts).

10 things we learned in the King's Speech, from across the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Lots of interesting insights and analysis from across the - really quite broad - range of plans from the government.

Westminster should watch closely as Wales and Scotland show how minority government can work Cooperation, consultation and concession are key to minority government success, says @akashpaun.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/wale...

4 quick thoughts on the King's Speech 1) It's BIG - 37 bills in the background briefing including carried over and draft bills Very unusual for a second parliamentary session - it's very unlikely all of these will end up on the statute book by the end of the session

Miatta Fahnbulleh - the minister for devolution, faith and communities - has resigned from govt this morning, calling on the PM to set a timetable for an orderly transition of leadership. Our ministerial resignation tracker has the latest info... docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

The fracturing of British politics is a phenomenon that is here to stay How Britain is governed is a question that has only been made more complicated by the latest local and devolved election results, writes @drhannahwhite.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/sign...

Ahead of the devolved elections, the Scottish and Welsh parties set out competing visions for independence and further devolution. So what could this mean for Westminster–devolved relations? @shawharriet.bsky.social @meganisaac.bsky.social explore www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/wale...

Polls are open till 22:00 for the Senedd, Scottish Parliament and English local elections. To find out more details about the elections head over to the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk local and devolved elections hub www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/our-work/top...

EVENT | What will the 2026 devolved elections mean for Scotland, Wales and the UK? 📆Wednesday 06 May 2026 (tomorrow), 17:30-18:30 Join us before the devolved elections in Wales and Scotland, as we discuss what the results may mean for how they are governed, and how this will impact Westminster.

In one week, local elections will be taking place across the country Ministers should take the opportunity of LGR to introduce all-out elections for all councils in place of elections by third and halves www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...

EVENT | Local and devolved elections 2026: Who won, who lost and what next? 📆Friday 08 May 2026, 16:00-17:00 Join us online to reflect on the local and devolved election results, including the implications on local government reorganisation and devolution plans.

Our new IfG report explores what a better system of employment support for people out of work due to ill health could look like. DWP's centralised approach to date has some strengths, but has limited integration with other services and the innovation needed to better understand what works 🧵

In a first for the IfG, @meganbryer.bsky.social and I have translated two pieces about the upcoming Welsh and Scottish elections into Cymraeg! 1/🧵

1/ As the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill nears the end of its passage through Parliament, I reflect on its introduction of a new health duty for mayors. 🧵👇

A genuinely big announcement on English devolution from Rachel Reeves today! As we at @instituteforgovernment.org.uk alongside others have argued fiscal devolution was a missing piece of the puzzle in the government's devolution white paper.

TODAY | In conversation with Malcolm Offord, Lord Offord of Garvel, Leader of Reform UK Scotland Join us live at 12:30 to hear Malcolm Offord discuss Reform UK’s vision for Scotland ahead of the 2026 Scottish parliament election www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/lord-m...

Interested in helping the IfG to achieve wider audience engagement with their work? We are looking for a Marketing Executive to join our communications team. Applications are open until Sunday 12 April – find our more about the role www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/about-us/car...

EVENT | With a few weeks to go before the Scottish parliament election, join us on Monday 16 March for an in conversation with Reform UK leader in Scotland, Malcolm Offord. He will discuss Reform's vision for Scotland with @akashpaun.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/lord-m...

Me, @matthewfright.bsky.social and @meganisaac.bsky.social on another messy u-turn.

Thinking of a career in think tanks? On Wednesday, we're hosting a webinar for undergraduates or those with similar experience interested in working in the sector. We'll have speakers from numerous organisations sharing their insight and experience. Register here 👉 buff.ly/a3cO0df

We're heading out of London again🐝... Join us on 25 Feb in Manchester (or online) for our fourth #IfGDevoLab as GMCA, WECA and Homes England share what works - real lessons on how mayors can boost the supply of affordable homes 🏡

Great thread from @matthewfright.bsky.social on the government's reversal of the local election delay. Ultimately the right outcome but yet another messy u-turn that's cost time and goodwill.

EVENT | In conversation with Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, Leader of Plaid Cymru 📆 Mon 2 March, 12:30–13:30 Join us to hear @rhunapiorwerth.bsky.social discuss the 2026 Senedd election, his plan for government, and @plaidcymru.bsky.social’s vision for Wales www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/rhun-a...

1/ With only a few months until the May elections, in this new @instituteforgovernment.org.uk explainer we outline where elections are going ahead, where they aren’t, and what’s at stake🧵👇  www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/lo...

Big developments for NPR. Gvt has set out a phased £45bn plan to improve rail across the North, starting with upgrades in Yorkshire. As we highlighted at our DevoLab event, improving regional transport is key for driving growth and opportunity: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/devola...

Today at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk we have spent the day looking ahead to the key questions for government in 2026. With crucial elections in Scotland, Wales and English councils in May, what are Kezia Dugdale, Guto Harri, Akash Paun and Luke Tryl looking out for?🧵

Starting soon! Definitely one to tune into

📢NEW REPORT📢 Every year @instituteforgovernment.org.uk sets out the latest on the civil service - size, professions, pay, morale. You name it, we analyse it. This year's report is out today. If you're interested in state capacity, you should be interested in what's happening in the civil service. 🧵

We are really pleased to announce that our Government 2026 annual conference at the IfG will kick start with a keynote speech by Wes Streeting at 8:30am. He will be in conversation with @drhannahwhite.bsky.social Join us online: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...

Elections 2026: How could votes in England, Scotland and Wales reshape British politics? Join us at Government 2026 on Tuesday 13 January when we will discuss with @kezdugdale.bsky.social, Guto Harri, @akashpaun.bsky.social @luketryl.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...

1/ Earlier this month, the government indicated that it would postpone the inaugural May 2026 mayoral elections in four areas on the Devolution Priority Programme (DPP). But what is the DPP? Why are these places getting mayors? And why are they undergoing local government reorganisation? 🧵

Great new piece from @akashpaun.bsky.social on the decision to delay next year’s mayoral elections. “even on the government's own terms… then the case for shifting these polls to 2027 is far stronger than delaying them until 2028” www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/mayo...

1/ Today we publish the first policy briefing in our new @instituteforgovernment.org.uk DevoLab series. In partnership with @impurbanhealth.bsky.social, and following on from our event in July, we’ve explored how devolution can address health inequalities 🧵

The decision to delay mayoral elections reflects poorly on the government, and is a disappointing step back in a policy area in which they had previously been making real progress. More from @akashpaun.bsky.social, @matthewfright.bsky.social, @meganisaac.bsky.social and me, below 👇

Government 2026: IfG's annual conference 🚨 Join us on Tuesday 13 January as we bring together influential speakers to explore the key questions for government over the next 12 months. Register to attend online 👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern... With @grantthorntonuk.bsky.social

New funding plans for mayors may not have made the headlines last week but they represent important steps on the government's journey to 'complete the map' of English devolution. More from me, @akashpaun.bsky.social and @matthewfright.bsky.social below.

LIVE BLOG | Autumn budget 2025 🚨 As Rachel Reeves prepares to announce tax measures, what formal announcements have we had so far and what can we expect in the next 24 hours? Follow our live blog for our analysis of the chancellor's plans www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/au...

NEW: Report from me and @nehaldavison.bsky.social on how and why boys from low-income families get left behind in their early years 🧵⬇️ www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

NEW: Labour inherited public services in crisis. Performance had fallen, investment had been cut + spending plans were undeliverable. It's made some progress, providing stability and positive long-term plans. But it has been undermined by poor prep in opposition and lack of co-ordination in govt 🧵

1/ Tomorrow, @instituteforgovernment.org.uk will be joined by First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney, to reflect on his first 18 months in office and discuss Scotland's political and constitutional future. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/john-s...

Abolishing police and crime commissioners now is putting the cart before the horse The government should have firmed up its broader plans on English devolution and police reform before announcing the abolition of PCCs. @cassiarowland.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/poli...

Guardian’s top story is @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social’s analysis of NHS performance, the latest release from Public Service Performance Tracker 2025. There are some positives from past years but these risk being undermined by loss of GP partners, social care failures and chaotic approach to reform

Although all eyes are on the Caerphilly by-election tomorrow, the real shift is coming in May with the reform of the Senedd electoral system transforming how Wales votes — and possibly who holds power. What’s changing and why does it matter? 🧵 @instituteforgovernment.org.uk

PSA: We have a new (and long) @instituteforgovernment.org.uk explainer out on the immigration and asylum policies of the major parties (of England...) following a flurry of announcements all year and around conference season, in particular. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/im...

🚀 DevoLab #2: How can mayors & strategic authorities secure investment into regional economies?🚀 📅 Mon 20 Oct, 13:30 BST 📍 Birmingham or online 🔗 Register below 💡 Insights on how devolved powers are being used to unlock private investment

Special Delivery! @emma-conway.bsky.social and I have been thinking about how Keir Starmer and co (especially Darren Jones) can make a success of 'phase two' - which is all about delivering on the government's priorities. Read more here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/star...