Here is the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk explainer from last autumn on ID cards www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/di...

Darren Jones is due to announce a citizens' assembly as part of the government's consultation on digital ID cards What is a citizens' assembly and how have they been used before? See our handy @instituteforgovernment.org.uk explainer ⬇️

The Standards Committee proposal to redact the names of MPs' staff on the register is back in the news An unsatisfactory result for transparency especially as it isn't being accompanied by anything else e.g. a full list of all job titles that all MPs employ But it's a difficult balance...

Just finished this - a fascinating conversation! Check it out

Huge thanks to @elliechowns.bsky.social @drbeccycoopermp.bsky.social and Karen Bradley MP for joining me for #IWD2026. Got into quite the debate about what the constituency inbox teaches you about problems facing our public services and frustrations that causes podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/i...

This seems very misleading by the Home Sec - poor form and doesn't help with the whole "rebuilding trust in politics" that this government purports to care about

In the run-up to International Women’s Day, Megan has pulled together some fascinating insights from @instituteforgovernment.org.uk’s work, looking at women ministers and their experiences in government - check it out here:

This is interesting - on the one hand, makes sense given how much is expected of ministers in the Lords (who don't have a base salary, just an allowance) But I do think this is a failing to be more innovative about what ministers are for... www.politicshome.com/news/article...

The chancellor’s spring forecast was short and free of new policy content. So what did we learn? The IfG's public finances team set out four key things www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...

As part of our series with devolved party leaders, @instituteforgovernment.org.uk is pleased to be hosting Reform UK leader in Scotland, Malcolm Offord, for an online-only conversation on Monday 16/3. Sign up: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/lord-m... And let me know what I should ask him!

I am very proud to be listed on the Women in Westminster: The 100 list for 2026 alongside so many amazing women Thank you @thehousemag.bsky.social #WiW100

Lovely to be named one of this year's 100 'Women in Westminster', and proud to to be alongside such an incredible group of women helping to shape policy and politics for the better. #wiw100 www.politicshome.com/in-focus/wiw...

we made the same point yesterday in our quick @instituteforgovernment.org.uk reaction piece. Silly to be punchy on inflation, but Reeves generally well served by avoiding making big new choices www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...

Fantastic to see both of the brilliant @emmanorris.bsky.social and @gemmatetlow.bsky.social recognised in this year's Women in Westminster top 100. Both are incredibly impressive colleagues and I've learnt so much from them. www.politicshome.com/in-focus/wiw...

PODCAST 🎙️ Trump vs Iran: Is the UK ready for war? Sir Alex Younger, former head of MI6, joins us to discuss what the US strikes on Iran mean for the UK and global security. PLUS: Spring forecast fall-out? We assess the chancellor's plan www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...

SPRING FORECAST - OBR's net migration forecasts have been revised down significantly; net migration forecast for 2030 is now 281k, vs. 340k in November's forecast.

"...sticking to one major fiscal event a year gives the government more time and space to make better policy decisions." @danhaile.bsky.social, IfG senior economist, reacts to today's 'low-key' spring forecast. More analysis to follow soon www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/spring-forec...

Reeves sits down having announced no real new policy measures at this Spring Forecast (but having made a very political speech) So she did not make this a fiscal event – which is absolutely the right thing for her to do

The government will publish the Office for Budget Responsibility's latest economic and fiscal forecast today. On Inside Briefing we were joined by Rupert Harrison - former chief of staff to George Osborne - to discuss the forecast. Listen here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...

The EIC has today launched its first review, exploring the role of public sector ombudsman schemes in identifying wider systemic failures. We are seeking input into our review via the link below. eic.independent-commission.uk/ombudsman-re...

With student loans back in the spotlight, it’s worth asking: how does the student finance system actually operate? @martha-ford.bsky.social explains what financial support the government offers students in England. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/st...

EVENT | In conversation with Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, Leader of Plaid Cymru 📆Mon 2 March (today), 12:30–13:30 Join us on today to hear @rhunapiorwerth.bsky.social discuss the 2026 Senedd election, his plan for government, and @plaidcymru.bsky.social's vision for Wales.

Labour has lost two by-elections since the 2024 general election. Our updated explainer has all you need to know about the latest Gorton and Denton by-election, which the Green Party's Hannah Spencer won with 41% of the votes. Previously in the 2024 GE, Labour won the seat with 51% of the vote.

Following the Plaid Cymru Spring conference, Rhun ap Iorwerth will be speaking at @instituteforgovernment.org.uk on Monday 1230-1330. Details for in person and online sign up below. 👇

The civil service people survey results are out DHSC has the largest drop in engagement (staff morale) among Whitehall departments, 6ppts from 63% to 57% The dept also had a *13 ppt* drop for its leadership and managing change theme Seems like NHS England abolition is causing serious discontent

We're developing recommendations for central government to support better coordination in the SEND system. Have a read of the comment if you'd like a taste of some of the issues we'll be thinking about, and if you have any thoughts please get in touch!

Great blog from Megan and Heloise on how government can set independent commissioners up to succeed - rather than just creating the roles in response to something going wrong and then forgetting about them...

The first event in our series on Making a Success of Local Government Reorganisation is about to start in 10 mins. Tune into the livestream and submit your questions for our panel www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/minist...

This goes to something @jillongovt.bsky.social taught me soon after I joined IfG - no matter how long something has been discussed and played around with in government, the only test is how it is received in the real world.

New comment from @danhaile.bsky.social, @jillongovt.bsky.social and me on why next Tuesday's spring forecast should ideally be a fiscal "non-event". We don't expect major shifts in the economic outlook, and so shouldn't see the "knee-jerk" policy responses of past spring statements.

Will Rachel Reeves’s 2026 spring forecast be as low key as promised? @danhaile.bsky.social @martha-ford.bsky.social @jillongovt.bsky.social assess whether the chancellor will be able to avoid creating headlines and what we might expect on 3 March www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...

Interesting tidbit from the FT's Inside Politics newsletter- goes to a point I wrote about for the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk on the things the next chief(s) of staff need to be thinking about. Alakeson and Cuthbertson making their mark already? www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/keir...

At @instituteforgovernment.org.uk we're pleased to work with @grantthorntonuk.bsky.social on our new series: Making a Success of Local Government Reorganisation. Our first event on Thursday asks how ministers should decide the shape and size of new unitaries. Sign up to join in person or online 👇

Great piece. I agree with Reform efficiencies can be made but not via their salami slicing approach. The key is greater collaboration between local services and making best use of the assets within communities. That requires building strong relationships with public/charities/other public bodies

This is a great read - really in-depth and full of great details. Must admit I find the people criticising a politician for caring about politics, and how the public will view his department's policies, baffling - that is his job! Democracy is a good thing!

Here you go again

Agreed, not sure how this would work (though will wait for the UQ to find out). Ultimately, this is a political issue - no system or rulebook can sort it out, it has to be done politically, which means the PM and team need to make a judgement

It should feel like a victory for progressives - but many don’t see it that way, given the compromises he made to win power. Jetten’s victory was narrow, and his margin for error is zero.

Interested in joining our fantastic comms team? You have two weeks to get your application in for our 2026-27 comms internship. Send on to others who might be interested!

The new cabinet secretary has a daunting set of tasks ahead, including forging a strong working relationship with the prime minister. But Antonia Romeo can hit the ground running by taking quick decisive action on civil service reform. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/anto...

As parliament returns, another outing for my and @rebeccamckee.bsky.social's comment from last week - if ministers are serious about cleaning up politics and public life, they need to lead from the top

Ethics in public life can’t be fixed by rules alone. Our comment, by @timdurrant.bsky.social and @rebeccamckee.bsky.social argues that stronger standards still rely on ministers using good judgement, and knowing when their actions undermine trust. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/ethi...

PODCAST 🎙️ All roads lead to Romeo The IfG's experts are in the studio to discuss what new cabinet secretary Antonia Romeo can do to turn the civil service, and perhaps the government, around. PLUS: Ethics in public life and local elections U-turn www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...

The really depressing thing about the discussion of the appointment of the new Cabinet Secretary is the question of what the candidates have actually done in the roles they perform. Always hard from outside to distinguish between what civil servants do and what ministers decide

This is a really exciting new org - looking forward to seeing what Gavin and co get up to!

Romeo was always the bold choice and is more likely than Wormald to drive the change the civil service needs. But after recent briefing she's appointed under a bit of a cloud. Not knowing where that will go makes this feel risky - and Starmer *really* can't afford another appointment going south

So the new cabinet secretary will indeed be Antonia Romeo Here’s what we think she needs to prioritise www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/next...

Antonia Romeo appointed as cabinet secretary - @alexgathomas.bsky.social and I wrote last week about the challenges ahead for her and what lessons need to be taken from Wormald's tenure: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/next...

Well now we know who the next chief of staff will be working with - but this all still stands! Hopefully, having made one senior appointment based on what he wants them to achieve, the PM will think carefully about what he wants from his next CoS...

New comment piece from @matthewfright.bsky.social @shawharriet.bsky.social and me.