Sam Macrory
@sammacrory.bsky.social
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Director of Communications, Institute for Government
reposted by
Sam Macrory
Nick Davies
about 1 month ago
Lack of planning has hit Labourās efforts to fix public services, says thinktank. Great summary of
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
's analysis by
@kiranstacey.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
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Lack of planning has hit Labourās efforts to fix public services, says thinktank
Keir Starmer accused of failing to adequately strategise while in opposition, leading to uncoordinated policymaking
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/nov/19/starmer-struggling-overhaul-services-lack-of-planning-says-thinktank
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reposted by
Sam Macrory
Nick Davies
about 1 month ago
The first chapters of the report (on local government) were published a month ago. The NHS chapters were published today. The Guardian article is an exclusive
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reposted by
Sam Macrory
Hannah White
about 1 month ago
Latest fascinating & comprehensive analysis from the
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
team of Labourās public services performanceā¦
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
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Wes Streeting accused of āchaotic and incoherent approachā to NHS reform
Exclusive: thinktank report finds health secretary has failed to improve productivity, with the health service unlikely to meet its targets
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/nov/15/wes-streeting-accused-of-chaotic-and-incoherent-approach-to-nhs-reform?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
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This new
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
report gives our verdict of NHS performance since Labour won the general election. And in a week that Wes Streeting found himself in the news too. Well worth checking out
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about 1 month ago
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Big pre-budget
@financialtimes.com
story... Read it... And then listen again to last week's
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
budget about chancellors and the art of pitch-rolling their budget announcements.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
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about 1 month ago
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Has Rachel Reeves rolled the budget pitch? And how did former chancellors manage expectations? Fascinating
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
podcast with
@stewartwood.bsky.social
Giles Winn
@gemmatetlow.bsky.social
@jillongovt.bsky.social
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/rach...
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Rachel Reeves and the art of pitch rolling the budget | Institute for Government
Former Treasury advisers Stewart Wood and Giles Winn reveal how chancellors prepare the ground for budget day.
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/rachel-reeves-pitch-rolling-budget
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Sam Macrory
Institute for Government
about 2 months ago
Cross-party agreement can create political space for tax reform It is time to take the political heat out of attempts to reform the tax system, says
@gemmatetlow.bsky.social
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/cros...
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Cross-party agreement can create political space for tax reform | Institute for Government
It is time to take the political heat out of attempts to reform the tax system.
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/cross-party-agreement-tax-reform
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NEW: the latest in our
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Performance Tracker series is out today And ace colleague
@amberdellar.bsky.social
has been looking at school performance The data is.. worrying
@laurahughesft.bsky.social
at the
@financialtimes.com
has the story
www.ft.com/content/9be6...
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Number of unfilled primary school places in England hits record high
IfG report shows London has been disproportionately affected by drop in pupil numbers
https://www.ft.com/content/9be6a075-ef7d-4a66-9a2b-2f97373f4d63
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Sam Macrory
Rebecca McKee
about 2 months ago
New from me and
@aliceolilly.bsky.social
š
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The monarch, the royal family and parliament (and people no longer called Prince) Hereās a very timely and very useful new
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
explainer from top colleagues
@aliceolilly.bsky.social
and
@rebeccamckee.bsky.social
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/mo...
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The monarch, royal family and parliament | Institute for Government
What is the relationship between government, parliament and the monarchy?
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/monarch-royal-family-and-parliament
about 2 months ago
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NEW: Home Office truths The Home Secretary says Home Office is not fit for purpose So whatās the problem/solution? š§Todayās
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
podcast with
@drhannahwhite.bsky.social
@alexgathomas.bsky.social
& ex spad Hannah Guerin
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
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Home Office truths with Shabana Mahmood | Institute for Government
Former Home Office special adviser Hannah Guerin joins the podcast for a deep dive into the woes of one of Whitehallās most challenging departments.
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/inside-briefing/home-office-truths-shabana-mahmood
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Sam Macrory
Cassia Rowland
2 months ago
Well this is a particularly depressing illustration of what a collapsing justice system looks like. 262 people were released from prison by mistake in 2024/25 ā more than twice the previous year and almost 4.5x 2014/15
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
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š§NEW
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
podcast - Royal trouble - Inquiry woe - Prisons crisis
@dannyshaw.bsky.social
joins
@cathhaddon.bsky.social
@cassiarowland.bsky.social
&
@alexgathomas.bsky.social
to make sense of it all
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/pris...
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The Prisons Crisis Strikes Back | Institute for Government
Former BBC journalist and Labour adviser Danny Shaw joins the podcast team to discuss the state of the criminal justice system.
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/prisons-crisis-strikes-back
2 months ago
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reposted by
Sam Macrory
Alex Thomas
2 months ago
Some - cautious - good news on the govtās civil service gagging rules Nick Thomas-Symonds has written to us rowing back on the worst aspects: āit is important for civil servants to speak in public about matters for which they have responsibilityā
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/welc...
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A welcome clarification on the rules āgaggingā civil servants | Institute for Government
New guidance on civil servants speaking in public is a welcome return to common sense.
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/welcome-clarification-rules-gagging-civil-servants
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reposted by
Sam Macrory
Cassia Rowland
2 months ago
NEW REPORT Criminal justice is coming apart at the seams. Police, criminal courts & prisons canāt cope with the level of demand and performance keeps spiralling downwards. Early positive steps from the government won't be enough to turn things around
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
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Performance Tracker 2025: Criminal justice system | Institute for Government
The government must act to avoid the justice system returning to the crisis point seen when Labour entered office, or worse.
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/performance-tracker-2025/criminal-justice/overview
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Great
@mattdathan.bsky.social
@thetimes.com
write up of todayās fantastic new
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
report by
@cassiarowland.bsky.social
on the state of the criminal justice system. Which is again/still in a state of āslow-motion collapseā
www.thetimes.com/article/3319...
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Criminal justice system in state of āslow-motion collapseā
Labour faces pressure for more early releases after a report warns that prisons are at breaking point and court backlogs are soaring
https://www.thetimes.com/article/33194f1e-32e5-457e-a629-bfedc77e4d70?shareToken=a2cd3185828340ad02fed105bceeafb3
2 months ago
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reposted by
Sam Macrory
Maria Laura La Corte
2 months ago
Kicking off this yearās Performance Tracker 2025, Part 1 from the
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
looks at how local government, social care and homelessness services are performing. Great job
@stuarthoddinott.bsky.social
&
@amberdellar.bsky.social
!
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š§Tinker, Tailor, Starmer, Spies? Latest
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
podcast is out now!
@gabyhinsliff.bsky.social
@theguardian.com
joins
@drhannahwhite.bsky.social
@amberdellar.bsky.social
@stuarthoddinott.bsky.social
&
@timdurrant.bsky.social
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
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Tinker, Tailor, Starmer, Spies? | Institute for Government
The Guardianās Gaby Hinsliff joins the podcast team explore the row and what it says about the UKās relations with Beijing.
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/inside-briefing/tinker-tailor-starmer-spies
2 months ago
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reposted by
Sam Macrory
Jill Rutter
2 months ago
This is
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
equivalent of a 19th century novel with cliffhangers as each part comes out.. prepare for weeks of near unremitting gloom on the state of public services (I assume). by our stellar
#performancetracker
team
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reposted by
Sam Macrory
Institute for Government
2 months ago
What have the different political parties announced on immigration and asylum? Our latest explainer by
@shaina-sangha.bsky.social
sets out the positions of Labour, the Conservatives, Reform, the Lib Dems, and the Green Party
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/im...
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Immigration and asylum: Labour, Conservative, Lib Dem, Reform and Green positions | Institute for Government
What have the different political parties announced on immigration and asylum in the run up to ā and during ā the 2025 autumn conference season?
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/immigration-and-asylum-party-positions
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reposted by
Sam Macrory
Institute for Government
2 months ago
[NEW] How does the quality of local government services vary across the country ā and what is driving performance? The first instalment of our Public Services Performance Tracker 2025 with
@nuffieldfoundation.org
is out nowšØš
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
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Great thread by Nick on this eye-opening new
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
report š
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2 months ago
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reposted by
Sam Macrory
Kiran Stacey
2 months ago
EXC: English councils will still be poorer in 2029 than they were in 2010, according to the IfG. Report finds councils are increasingly providing social care and little else. Libraries, youth services, parks, all falling by the wayside.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
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English councils to remain poorer than in 2010 despite funding rise, says report
Exclusive: Impact of austerity cannot be undone by end of parliament despite above-inflation funding, analysis finds
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/oct/15/english-councils-to-remain-poorer-than-2010-despite-funding-boost-says-report
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reposted by
Sam Macrory
Shaina Sangha
2 months ago
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...
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Immigration and asylum: Labour, Conservative, Lib Dem, Reform and Green positions | Institute for Government
What have the different political parties announced on immigration and asylum in the run up to ā and during ā the 2025 autumn conference season?
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/immigration-and-asylum-party-positions
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NEW: Part 1 of the brilliant
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Performance Tracker
@stuarthoddinott.bsky.social
&
@amberdellar.bsky.social
have dug deep into local government services & finances Itās.. gloomy As
@theguardian.com
@kiranstacey.bsky.social
reports
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
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English councils to remain poorer than in 2010 despite funding rise, says report
Exclusive: Impact of austerity cannot be undone by end of parliament despite above-inflation funding, analysis finds
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/oct/15/english-councils-to-remain-poorer-than-2010-despite-funding-boost-says-report
2 months ago
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Lots of politicians setting out lots of pledges/promises/polices on immigration & asylum And this brilliant new
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
explainer is the best summary out there Read now (And then bookmark it & read it again for the inevitable updates⦠sorry
@shaina-sangha.bsky.social
..)
add a skeleton here at some point
2 months ago
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reposted by
Sam Macrory
Institute for Government
3 months ago
The party membership ballot for the 2025 Labour Party deputy leadership contest is open until 12pm on 23 October. Read our explainer to find out more about the process for electing Angela Rayner's successor
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/20...
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The 2025 Labour Party deputy leader contest | Institute for Government
Angela Rayner has stepped down as deputy leader of the Labour Party, who will replace her? The ballot is now open.
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/2025-labour-party-deputy-leader-contest
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I would say this⦠But this podcast is a must-listen to understand what happened at Conservative Party conference and whether Kemi Badenochās stamp duty plan adds up Properly insightful analysis from ace
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
colleagues and
@patrick-pme.bsky.social
@yougov.co.uk
add a skeleton here at some point
3 months ago
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reposted by
Sam Macrory
Jonathan Jones
3 months ago
Iāve written more here.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/keir...
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What does Keir Starmer mean by ālooking againā at international law? | Institute for Government
The government plans to remain in the ECHR but change how it is interpreted.
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/keir-starmer-ehcr-interpretation
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Flagged in this morningās Politico Playbook, hereās
@tompope.bsky.social
ās excellent new
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
blog on Kemi Badenochās stamp duty plan - and why the sums donāt quite add up.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/kemi...
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Kemi Badenochās promise to abolish stamp duty has ducked tax trade-offs | Institute for Government
Do Kemi Badenoch's stamp duty sums add up?
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/kemi-badenoch-stamp-duty-abolish
3 months ago
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reposted by
Sam Macrory
Thomas Pope
3 months ago
My instant reaction to Badenoch's stamp duty announcement for
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Stamp duty is a bad tax. But abolishing it without a broader reform of property taxes would be a missed opportunity and hard to afford.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/kemi...
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Kemi Badenochās promise to abolish stamp duty has ducked tax trade-offs | Institute for Government
Do Kemi Badenoch's stamp duty sums add up?
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/kemi-badenoch-stamp-duty-abolish
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reposted by
Sam Macrory
Thomas Pope
3 months ago
You can hear more about that and everything else at Conservative Party conference in our podcast, out now!
bsky.app/profile/samm...
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And here's a new
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
explainer by
@jillongovt.bsky.social
on how stamp duty works (and whether Kemi Badenoch's plan to abolish it is sensible..)
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/st...
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3 months ago
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Kemi Badenoch's promise to abolish stamp duty is going to make headlines, but do the sums add up? Brilliant stuff from our deputy chief economist @tompope.bsky.social on today's big announcement š
add a skeleton here at some point
3 months ago
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š§NEW: Lessons in Kemistry.. Brilliant Conservative Party conference (& stamp duty) analysis on
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
podcast
@drhannahwhite.bsky.social
@alexgathomas.bsky.social
@tompope.bsky.social
and Patrick English of
@yougov.co.uk
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
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Lessons in Kemistry | Institute for Government
YouGov's Patrick English joined the Inside Briefing team in Manchester to assess the state of the official opposition.
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/inside-briefing/lessons-kemistry
3 months ago
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reposted by
Sam Macrory
Rebecca McKee
3 months ago
A the end of last month
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
headed to Bournemouth for the Liberal Democrat Party Conference 2025 We held an event in partnership with
@uniofsurrey.bsky.social
exploring how local places can ensure devolution delivers economic growth, chaired by
@tompope.bsky.social
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reposted by
Sam Macrory
Institute for Government
3 months ago
We're about to start our final #CPC25 event. Join us and Onward in Central 5 at 15:30 to hear us discuss how governments should rewire the state to get things done. With Jesse Norman MP, @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social
zurl.co/Ywwx0
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reposted by
Sam Macrory
Institute for Government
3 months ago
Look out for a
#CPC25
Inside Briefing special podcast - the IfG team
@drhannahwhite.bsky.social
@alexgathomas.bsky.social
@tompope.bsky.social
are joined by guest
@patrick-pme.bsky.social
. Landing in your podcast feeds tomorrow. š§š
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NEW: Mel Strideās civil service savings are more signal than substance
@alexgathomas.bsky.social
&
@jackworlidge.bsky.social
give the
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
verdict on Mel Stride's civil service savings (& yes, it's a fantasy numbers game)
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/mel-...
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Mel Strideās civil service savings are more signal than substance | Institute for Government
Setting a civil service headcount target is too simplistic.
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/mel-strides-civil-service-savings
3 months ago
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Live on BBC news now.
@tompope.bsky.social
of
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
giving his instant reaction to shadow chancellor Mel Strideās speech at Conservative Party Conference
3 months ago
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The
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
team is back on our party conference travels. This time to Manchester, where
@kemibadenochmp.bsky.social
is under pressure to give the Conservatives reason to be optimistic - writes
@jackworlidge.bsky.social
:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/kemi...
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Can Kemi Badenoch bring optimism to the Conservative Party Conference? | Institute for Government
The Conservative Party Conference brings challenges and opportunities for the leader of the opposition.
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/kemi-badenoch-conservative-party-conference
3 months ago
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reposted by
Sam Macrory
Tim Durrant
3 months ago
For more, read our
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
explainer on ministerial directions (which doesn't yet have this one, as we haven't seen the official confirmation)
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/mi...
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Ministerial directions | Institute for Government
Ministerial directions are formal instructions telling departments to proceed with a spending proposal, despite objection from permanent secretaries.
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/ministerial-directions
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š§š§Listen now! Brilliant analysis of Starmerās 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...
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3 months ago
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reposted by
Sam Macrory
Institute for Government
3 months ago
Don't miss our final #Lab25 event on rebuilding the criminal justice system - we will be joined by Deputy Mayor Kate Green, Clare Moody, @cassiarowland.bsky.social @fionarutherford.bsky.social @justicehq.bsky.social @njdavies.bsky.social Find us in Clyde Room, Arena Floor at 17:15
zurl.co/O52cg
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Good thread by Giles on the Rachel Reeves speech š
add a skeleton here at some point
3 months ago
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reposted by
Sam Macrory
Gemma Tetlow
3 months ago
...but no indication of which taxes might rise. Understandable that CX cannot pre-empt Budget announcements in conference speech but it does mean the biggest questions facing the CX were left unanswered today. Today's announcements (mainly details on youth guarantee) were small.
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š§Starmerās Liverpool Drama? Ex-No10 adviser Tom Webb joins the
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
podcast to preview the
@teamlabouruk.bsky.social
conference (& review
@libdems.org.uk
conf) With
@drhannahwhite.bsky.social
@jillongovt.bsky.social
@tompope.bsky.social
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/i...
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Starmerās Liverpool Drama
Podcast Episode Ā· Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government Ā· 24/09/2025 Ā· 32m
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/inside-briefing-with-the-institute-for-government/id1484110214?i=1000728305804
3 months ago
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reposted by
Sam Macrory
Nick Davies
3 months ago
NEW REPORT:
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
finds that confused missions, pervasive risk aversion, poor data quality, insufficient commericial capability, and a failure to focus on outcomes means that govt is failing to make the most of £400bn+ a year it spends on procurement
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The role of procurement in delivering mission-led government | Institute for Government
How can the government remove the barriers to its missions?
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/procurement-government-missions-delivery
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reposted by
Sam Macrory
Nick Davies
3 months ago
Great write up by CityAM of the new
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk
report on how procurement can be used to deliver the government's missions
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Labourās mixed messages āconfusesā UK government procurement
A report has indicated that poor communication around Labour's five missions and six milestones has taken a toll on government procurement.
https://www.cityam.com/labours-mixed-messages-confuses-uk-government-procurement/
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reposted by
Sam Macrory
Ben Paxton
3 months ago
Procurement is massively underrated as an opportunity for improvement, and where a mission-led approach could make a difference. Our NEW REPORT explores why this change is hard, and how procurement should be used to shape markets + drive innovationš§µ
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
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The role of procurement in delivering mission-led government | Institute for Government
How can the government remove the barriers to its missions?
https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/procurement-government-missions-delivery
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