Nick Davies
@njdavies.bsky.social
đ€ 9140
đ„ 892
đ 739
Programme Director at
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
working on public services
pinned post!
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 đ§”
6 months ago
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Friends have started messaging to ask if the tracker is back yet. Iâm afraid it isâŠ
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13 days ago
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Alice Lilly
14 days ago
There is something that I think multiple successive prime ministers over the last decade or so have failed to grasp and to respond to: that the way backbench MPs see their role has shifted.
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Jill Rutter
14 days ago
Fascinating event on a project that is a metaphor for much of what is wrong with governing in the UK. come along
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Residents have overwhelmingly re-elected the Lib Demâs in S. Cambs. Perhaps national politicians could consider the issue of the 4 day week settled for now?
www.scambs.gov.uk/our-district...
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17 days ago
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Chaminda Jayanetti
20 days ago
As I said last week, I'm starting a substack focused on social affairs, public services, policymaking etc - and I'll be launching it soon I've given it the unglamorous but self-explanatory name Policy Matters. Free for now, and for a while yet I imagine Sign up here!
chamindajayanetti.substack.com
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Policy Matters | Substack
News, comment and analysis looking at public services, policy choices, and the politics of poverty and inequality. By Chaminda Jayanetti. Click to read Policy Matters, a Substack publication. Launched...
https://chamindajayanetti.substack.com/
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Hannah Keenan
about 1 month ago
There's so much to write about everything that's happening with Mandelson vetting fight (and always happy to explain the process, others have done so v well on here). But the v. aggressive approach from no10 is over the weekend is just so damaging - so have tried to capture some of that
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The Mandelson vetting blame-game is causing serious damage to ministerial-civil service relations | Institute for Government
The sacking of Olly Robbins has been badly handled by Keir Starmer.
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/mandelson-vetting-blame
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Ciaran Martin
about 1 month ago
This paper represents a small but deeply impressive and genuinely important achievement by the much maligned British state in what is probably the most important global issue of our era. Hear me out ( đ§”) 1/
www.aisi.gov.uk/blog/our-eva...
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Our evaluation of Claude Mythos Previewâs cyber capabilities | AISI Work
We conducted cyber evaluations of Anthropicâs Claude Mythos Preview and found continued improvement in capture-the-flag (CTF) challenges and significant improvement on multi-step cyber-attack simulati...
https://www.aisi.gov.uk/blog/our-evaluation-of-claude-mythos-previews-cyber-capabilities
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Tim Durrant
about 1 month ago
We're doing a series of interviews with former PMs (to be published in the coming months!) and one of them said exactly this: the job is so varied, and you can't pick and choose the good bits of the job - you *have* to do them all.
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Jill Rutter
about 2 months ago
new online paper by
@rosahodgkin.bsky.social
@danhaile.bsky.social
and me on how govt needs to get a grip of the economic consequences of the Iran war. Needs to stand up coordinating machinery - like Gordon Brown's National Economic Council
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
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Managing the economic consequences of the Iran war | Institute for Government
How should the government respond to the crisis in the Middle East?
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/managing-economic-consequences-iran-war
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The constant Westminster-based attacks on S. Cambs by Conservatives and Labour are both depressing and incredibly boring Itâs good for councils to try new things! Evidence suggests the 4 day week scheme has been successful! If residents donât like it, they can vote out the Lib Dems next month!
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about 2 months ago
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Alex Thomas
about 2 months ago
Take your mind off other stuff⊠with something positive happening in the civil service Antonia Romeo has set out her objectives, and theyâre good! Tl; dr - to lead a civil service of curious, confident, high performing stewards of the system
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Stuart Hoddinott
about 2 months ago
NEW REPORT: the government claims that it wants public services to be more devolved, better integrated, and more focused on prevention With a raft of reform programmes now underway in services, are they on track to achieve those aims?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
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Devolution, integration, prevention: Do the governmentâs public service reform plans add up? | Institute for Government
There is a mismatch between the government's stated aims for public service reform and how departments are driving change.
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/governments-public-service-reform-plans
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Rebecca McKee
2 months ago
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.
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Stuart Hoddinott
2 months ago
It's not just DHSC where morale is plummeting; the HSJ reports that morale declined in every NHS integrated care board that answered the NHS staff survey in 2025 Worth remembering that these are the people who are supposed to deliver Streeting's 3 shifts
www.hsj.co.uk/policy-and-r...
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Alex Thomas
2 months ago
So much to change in the civil service. It needs - a centre of govt that works - far better performance management - confidence & curiosity to lean in - less churn and more reward for sticking around and achieving things - many more reforms (see all our
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
work)
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Cassia Rowland
3 months ago
NEW REPORT: The governmentâs proposed reforms to criminal trials risk tilting the system too far towards speed over fairness and justice, and could lead to further declines in performance and productivity.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
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Beyond reasonable doubt?: Reviewing proposed reforms to jury trials | Institute for Government
There is a lot of uncertainty attached to the potential benefits of the governmentâs proposed reforms.
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/reviewing-proposed-reforms-jury-trials
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Cath Haddon
3 months ago
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...
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Women in Westminster
Women in Westminster
https://www.politicshome.com/in-focus/wiw.htm#the100
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Institute for Government
3 months ago
"...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...
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This is excellent discussion of the arguments for and against deliverism. I agree with the conclusion that delivery is necessary, but not sufficient, with governments needing to deliver in ways that are 'visible and salient'
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3 months ago
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The wider point here is that you can only sell assets once. Sales such as these, which many councils are being forced to make, are not a sustainable solution to financial pressure. Likewise drawing down reserves, which an increasing proportion of councils have now been doing for 3 years or more
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3 months ago
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Hannah White
3 months ago
Everyone is analysing the implications of the byelection for Keir Starmer and Labour but the most important lessons are for democracy - my latest for
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gort...
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The real lesson to take from Gorton and Denton is for the future of UK democracy | Institute for Government
Westminster is dangerously underprepared for a multi-party future.
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gorton-and-denton-future-uk-democracy
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Sam Freedman
3 months ago
Some news on my next book....
www.thebookseller.com/rights/sam-f...
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Tim Durrant
3 months ago
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.
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Cassia Rowland
3 months ago
Totally agree with this. There's a reason we talk about the problem with one person as 'judge, jury and executioner' - having multiple people involved in these decisions makes them more robust. Striking too that cutting jury trials is proposed hand-in-hand with dramatic *restrictions* on appeals
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Aside from question of whether you can meaningfully hold NHS accountable for labour market outcomes, my main issue with this is itâs yet another âpriorityâ. Waiting lists, three shifts, structural reform, getting people into work etc. Thereâs not enough money to do everything. Ministers must choose!
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NHS in England to be set targets on getting people back to work
Ministers also planning to link patient data to benefit claims and employment statistics
https://giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/actions/redeem/e27764c5-623f-48a2-a0a6-945589e9328c
3 months ago
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Great thread of unanswered questions about how incentives and accountability will work in the govtâs SEND proposals
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3 months ago
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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
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3 months ago
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Amber Dellar
3 months ago
Govtâs proposed SEND reforms contain positive ideas to move the system towards early intervention. But there are tensions the govt has not yet worked through between investing in these changes quickly and ensuring reforms are fully evidenced.
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Punchy editorial from the Health Service Journal calling on Streeting and Milburn to go "Put bluntly, those that were dying waiting for an ambulance are now doing so on a trolley in a hospital corridor."
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The Streeting/Milburn era must end to give the NHS a fresh start
It has now been exactly a year since Labour began its reform of the NHS, and the succeeding months have proved a poor advert for its central idea of giving government more control over the service.
https://www.hsj.co.uk/comment/the-streeting/milburn-era-must-end-to-give-the-nhs-a-fresh-start/7041153.article?mkt_tok=NTI1LVNIQS0zNTUAAAGgKH3hg2FnY701H0THHMF9k6IhW7tX-pzgJ1lRg5dX5i4uavB2kvfrym_D8cBpThUqmprEQW4R5M_Jh-KK8CdES6qIM2OXSLeplsO5DUmo
3 months ago
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Very exciting!
@gavinfreeguard.com
, who has set this up, is amazing so Iâm sure they will be producing some must read/watch/engage with work
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3 months ago
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Alex Thomas
3 months ago
So the new cabinet secretary will indeed be Antonia Romeo Hereâs what we think she needs to prioritise
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/next...
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Jack Worlidge
3 months ago
Yesterday the Cabinet Office published the ministerial direction on Chris Wormald's exit payment đ This has been discussed a bit in the media, mainly in terms of 'civil service tried to block the huge payout' A few points on this..
www.gov.uk/government/p...
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Cabinet Secretary: ministerial direction
Letters requesting and confirming the ministerial direction relating to the outgoing Cabinet Secretary.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cabinet-secretary-ministerial-direction
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Tim Durrant
3 months ago
Lots here to agree with (not just as it cites
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
's work on the centre). But the last point is key- without a clear vision from the PM, no matter how you restructure No10 or how many more spads you appoint, govt can't get things done. Everything else flows from that...
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Dave West @ HSJ
3 months ago
Details of public health grants to councils were published yesterday (we're shifting treatment to prevention, remember) But they appear to confirm my story from December that the grant will be held flat in real terms / eroded over the next three years. (
lnkd.in/eXQx3Jbb
)
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LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page thatâs not on LinkedIn
https://lnkd.in/eXQx3Jbb
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Alex Thomas
3 months ago
Our
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
conclusion on Chris Wormaldâs time as cabinet secretary - and what needs to come next By me and
@hannahkeenan.bsky.social
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/next...
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Keir Starmerâs next cabinet secretary must learn the lessons from Chris Wormaldâs mistakes | Institute for Government
The next cabinet secretary needs to be a far more visible civil service leader.
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/next-cabinet-secretary-learn-wormald-mistakes
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Amber Dellar
3 months ago
Major news for local government finance. Great that there's now more certainty - without action it's likely the majority of councils would have faced 'bankruptcy' in 28/29. But unclear (at least to me) where the ÂŁ5bn is coming from. For context that's about 8% of the core schools funding for 25/26
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Gavin Freeguard
3 months ago
Time for my increasingly frequent, 'there's a clear Trend on this chart' joke
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Alex Thomas
3 months ago
Itâs a tough job and govt leadership hasnât made it easier. But one mistake for example is that I donât think Wormald agrees the cab sec as leader of half a million people is at least a semi-public role. I think that horse has long since bolted and you need to lead more actively as head of the CS
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I have listened to these bands many, many times but never once have i thought ânow Iâm ready to land a backside 1260 melon and a Cab 1080 stalefishâ
4 months ago
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Govt's court reforms have focussed on crown court backlogs, but they will put more pressure on magistrates courts that also have record backlogs. A great new
@transformjustice.bsky.social
report looks at the causes of poor productivity in the magistrates
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Beyond reasonable delay: efficiency in London magistratesâ courts - Transform Justice
https://www.transformjustice.org.uk/publication/beyond-reasonable-delay-efficiency-in-london-magistrates-courts-2/?utm_campaign=Justice%20in%20limbo:%20what%E2%80%99s%20causing%20the%20court%20backlog&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter
4 months ago
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I can feel myself being radicalised into believing we need complete technology independence from the US every time the Apple keyboard autocorrects âteaâ to âyeaâ
4 months ago
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Cassia Rowland
4 months ago
Really good piece, and not (just) because it cites me! Illustrates so clearly why reliable data that *tells you something meaningful* is so critical. It lets you make informed policy choices, and it lets you explain and advocate for those choices to get people on board.
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Great FT piece citing
@cassiarowland.bsky.social
âs analysis which shows gov plans to radically reduce jury trials save relatively little court capacity. The should focus on court productivity instead Also makes important point that MoJ data is poor. Needs to be fixed asap
ep.ft.com/permalink/em...
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The absence of government modelling to justify curtailing the right to trial by jury has allowed opponents to make all the running â and that may yet precipitate another Labour U-turn. It has also exposed a lack of good data to monitor one specific problem that is contributing to trial delays every day.
https://ep.ft.com/permalink/emails/eyJlbWFpbCI6ImMxNTgwMTg5MmNlYTRkZTFiMDcwZTc1NjlhNjQzMzVhZjA5YzQyOWUwMDllNTA4NDUwMzk4NzNkMTk2NTM1YWNlODQ1NDFkZTg2YTZiNjk1ZjgiLCAidHJhbnNhY3Rpb25JZCI6IjFiOTM1MWQ2LTE3OGYtNDgwYS1iZTdkLWY5ZTMzMjBmNjUxZiIsICJiYXRjaElkIjoiMzFjNjRhM2EtOTQwNy00MGY5LTljZDktOGIyYjJlNTAxNGQzIn0=
4 months ago
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Nick Davies
Institute for Government
4 months ago
TOMORROW | How can the government make a success of the abolition of NHS England? Join our webinar on Thursday 29 January, 12:30, with Mark Dayan and Sarah Reed
@nuffieldtrust.org.uk
,
@stuarthoddinott.bsky.social
and
@njdavies.bsky.social
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
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Giles Wilkes
4 months ago
I have a report out today on the near-perennial question of why UK governments struggle to stick at growth policy in anything like a strategic way. Some hurried points:- 0/
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
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How the centre of government can design better growth policy | Institute for Government
Why does the UK struggle with growth?
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/centre-government-design-better-growth-policy
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Cassia Rowland
4 months ago
Plans for major police reforms (finally!) being published tomorrow. In principle, it makes sense to bring together national responsibilities (counter-terror, fraud, organised crime) and functions (procurement, vetting etc) into a single organisation.
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Cassia Rowland
4 months ago
NEW REPORT: the govâs proposals for judge-only trials will deliver only marginal savings and distract from the real route out of this crisis: reversing recent falls in court productivity.
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Trial and error?: The impact of restricting jury trials on court demand | Institute for Government
The governmentâs reforms will unlock only relatively modest reductions in demand.
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/judge-only-trials-court-demand-productivity
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Penny Dash today also pushed back strongly against suggestion govt is centralising, arguing they are cutting layers of management. That is true and *could* give more frontline autonomy, but it is entirely dependent on the health secretary, who now has far more direct control over the NHS
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4 months ago
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Alex Thomas
4 months ago
Quick reaction to Darren Jonesâs speech - good stuff - min leadership, risk appetite, reducing approvals, new models of doing things - worried about - leaving fundamental reform for later. Structures in centre, depts and public services need addressing now. Danger this is all a bit sticking plaster
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We have an exceptional lineup for today's event on NHS structures. We are fully booked in-person, but you can watch the event online from 12.30. Link below
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4 months ago
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