New @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report by me, @gemmatetlow.bsky.social and @jillongovt.bsky.social on how Reeves should approach tax this Autumn With tax rises inevitable, Reeves should reject path of least resistance and embrace tax reform 1/3 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

How Number 10's strengthened economics team can work for Keir Starmer @gilesyb.bsky.social identifies four key steps to help No10's new economics team succeed. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/numb...

The civil service is still growing… (just)

The fast stream consistently ranks (near) the top of graduate employer rankings - and this year it's taken the top spot (again!). But while graduates find the scheme very attractive, exclusive @instituteforgovernment.org.uk research shows their expectations aren't always met once on the scheme.

NEW: Trump’s State Visit: The Sequel @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @cathhaddon.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social & guest @michaelmartins17.bsky.social preview Donald Trump’s visit (On the IfG podcast, now landing in your feeds a little earlier in the week) podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/i...

Starting now - Radakin giving his first speech “in my new role as former Chief of the Defence Staff”

How are the UK's ambassadors and high commissioners appointed – and removed? Read the latest explainer on Senior diplomatic appointments by @cathhaddon.bsky.social, @hannahkeenan.bsky.social, @jackworlidge.bsky.social and @alexgathomas.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/se...

Starting shortly - join us in a few minutes

As with all coverage of the civil service internship scheme, it is important to remember: (1) It allows those on it to skip one of 2 or 3 stages of the fast stream recruitment process. Former interns then compete on an equal footing with any and all other applicants to get on the fast stream.

Moving the mission delivery unit from the Cabinet Office to No10 is I think a good thing. Looks like gov is going from potentially having lots of big figures doing delivery at the centre, to making clear Darren Jones in charge of it (with Nin Pandit reporting to him). That is useful clarity!

V good article from Hannah for @politicshome.bsky.social on the No10 shuffle ⬇️

What should the brand new chief secretary to the prime minister do? Thoughts from me for @labourlist.bsky.social labourlist.org/2025/09/darr...

NEW: Keir Starmer’s No10 reshuffle must provide coherence and clarity @drhannahwhite.bsky.social & @alexgathomas.bsky.social react to the appointment of @darrenpjones.bsky.social to a big No10 job - & call for the PM to make more structural changes www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/keir...

What does the Darren Jones move to be first ever “chief secretary to the PM” mean for the govt? Here’s our take… www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/keir...

Vandalism - totally wrong and unacceptable

I am really very certain - having also seen 4 iterations of No.10 while working in the Cabinet Office - that adding more people to the centre of government is not the solution here. If the shake-up is on, it better be a proper one.

Oh My! www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/s...

To *try to* dismiss her (As an aside - I hate the word “fire” in this context. Plays into the whole showy quasi-entertainment Apprentice thing)

“It is no exaggeration to say that the Fed’s independence and role in the international financial system could hang on Cook’s fate and experience with US judges. We should wish her well.”

One of these things is not like the other… How can anyone seriously suggest people with a medical condition like IBS shouldn’t gather, discuss and make sure their workplace is set up well so that they can work?!

Dubious decision upon dubious decision - as the government refuses to disclose the guidance that prevents public officials talking to the public

What a way to do business

This is well worth a read. As well as @joshuarozenberg.bsky.social comments on how life and language changes it made me think - of the irony that Gillick has her name associated with under-16yo agency entirely contrary to her wishes (careful what you litigate, tho she obviously did a public service)

Stephanie 'Steve' Shirley has died aged 91. She is the subject of I think, one of the best ever FT lunches, which you can read here (registration or subscription required, will post a first 300 clicks free link in the replies):

Biddy Baxter, MBE (25 May 1933 – 10 August 2025) R.I.P

Perhaps calm and authoritative government, that will entertain, evaluate and - if they are good - endorse radical ideas, while being competent and focused on the evidence of what works, is more compelling than wild talk of revolution

Of course it was all Jim Callaghan & Denis Healey banter on Friends Reunited back in my day

Good reflections on the state of the civil service based on the latest data from @hannahkeenan.bsky.social here (And me, a little bit, but mostly Hannah)

Fun to return to this - as I was reminded that six months before partygate Kate Fall and @steverichards.bsky.social warned Boris Johnson to avoid “one rule for them” during Covid

Who else could give these sort of insights “It’s proximity to political authority rather than windows that makes the difference [in Whitehall],” he said. www.thetimes.com/article/a110...

Another perm sec vacancy - a lot of change at the top of govt depts this year Afghan data breach supposedly the trigger but I’d see this as part of a broader post-election shift A moment to note that David Williams has put in a shift in some thankless and tricky jobs www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Proportion of civil servants from low SEB by seniority. It is v striking to me... 1 - how flat the lines are. Almost no change over time? 2 - how perfectly stacked they are. Consistently smaller proportion of low SEB civil servants at each grade. (stats are from people survey so not perfect)

The government is restricting civil service internships to applicants from lower socio-economic backgrounds to get more working-class young people into the civil service. Using internships will not solve everything, but the experiment is worthwhile www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/soci...

Here’s our rapid comment on the civil service working class intern proposal - from @hannahkeenan.bsky.social @hcdunlop.bsky.social and me www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/soci...

The numbers on socio-economic background of civil servants really don't tell a story of much change over time - v. striking compared to e.g. ethnic minority staff. (plz note different timeframes, but point holds). Alex's thread has a good breakdown of socio-economic background by grade, and more!

I have been collecting bad takes on this policy, so only fair to highlight this very good one.

Eye-catching story about civil service interns needing to come from a lower socio-economic background Some thoughts! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

The new head of the Government Communication Service, David Dinsmore, was officially announced last night Here’s my take - Dinsmore’s job is to focus on the govt’s comms plumbing and leave the street-fighting to No10 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/keir...

It’s civil service stats Christmas today - @hannahkeenan.bsky.social @jackworlidge.bsky.social and @hcdunlop.bsky.social are giving you the headlines ⬇️

if Mayors ask to be allowed to levy tourist taxes, let them - @instituteforgovernment.org.uk blog by me and @tompope.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach... - time to end HMT control freakery

I do treasure this letter Tom Lehrer, who just died 60 years after he vanished from the stage, sent me when I tried to write about him www.buzzfeed.com/bensmith/tom...

The very greatest - silly and serious satirical songs that have and will continue to travel with me through life And what a quote from the obit “My purpose was to make people laugh and not applaud. If the audience applauds, they’re just showing they agree with me.” www.nytimes.com/2025/07/27/a...

They’re Super, thanks for asking

Enjoyed a varied discussion this week on the Afghan data breach, the Chancellor’s Mansion House speech, whip suspensions and electoral policy… Have a listen…

PODCAST 🎤 The scandal and the superinjunction @lucyfisher.ft.com joins @cathhaddon.bsky.social @gemmatetlow.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social to discuss the Afghan data leak and how the state reacts when mistakes are made. Plus: Rachel Reeves' speech and voting reforms zurl.co/Hct1f

The Cabinet Office has announced “innovation squads” in an additional 10 locations in England as part of the government’s ‘Test, Learn and Grow’ programme for its Plan for Change – but are these small pilot initiatives getting confused? (1/5) www.gov.uk/government/n...

[Rocking in a chair on the stoop] I recall George McGovern’s famous youth-quake victory of 1972

Excellent piece from @hannahkeenan.bsky.social making the point that the Afghan data breach is part of the long shadow of the chaotic Kabul exit and evacuation ⬇️

COMMENT | A new take on how to rewire the state ✍ @alexgathomas.bsky.social ‬offers his response to a new guest paper which reflects on the ways governments get things wrong and recommends a major overhaul of the state. Read the expert comment👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/new-...