Come join us next Monday for a conversation about all things fast stream!

Are you interested in the fast stream’s role in the wider civil service recruitment ecosystem, and what the future fast stream reform efforts focus on? Join us next Monday for our event How can the fast stream deliver more for the civil service? www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/civil-...

NEW REPORT Labour is struggling to meet its education priorities. It has big ambitions to improve schools, but a budget that falls short of matching them. And with no clear plans to reform the SEND system or tackle workforce shortages, children are being left without the support they need.

New @instituteforgovernment.org.uk comment from me The chaos surrounding the grooming gangs inquiry last week highlights much deeper problems with the way the government sets up public inquiries www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/groo...

4 patterns we're seeing in adult social care, children's social care and homelessness services (with graphs) And what govt should do about it A thread from @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's NEW jumbo report (read 1 get 3 free) on the state of local government services and finance 👇

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...

The government has established its new ethics regulator, the Ethics and Integrity Commission. So what will the commission do? What are its responsibilities? And what other changes have the government made to the ethics and standards system? www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/et...

As the new Ethics and Integrity Commission launches today, our explainer sets out what the commission looks like and what it will do www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/et...

We have an updated ministerial code! The new code makes clear that ministers "are expected" to pay back any severance payment if they quickly get a new ministerial job or are found to have broken the rules on post-government jobs www.gov.uk/government/p...

What day is it? That's right, it's Day 2 ("containment") of Exercise Pegasus, the "largest ever simulation of a pandemic in UK history" - right now, teams in the NHS, govt depts and others are testing their approach to dealing with a possible future pandemic... hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2025...

On Friday evening we officially welcomed our newest members of the Fellowship of Queens'. Their admission took place in our beautiful chapel and they were welcomed in by our President, Dame Menna Rawlings. Many congratulations and welcome to Queens'.💚

So after promising to cut "wasteful spending" and council tax Reform has: - Found no waste and instead plans to cut invest-to-save schemes - Will now raise council tax by the full 5% - Realised they don't control asylum spending A staggering amount of failure in 5 months

The govt published its strategy to revitalise local communities last week There is a heavy focus on directing funding to high streets and community spaces, which is part of the reason for declining "pride in place" But it seems misguided for a few reasons Short thread www.gov.uk/government/p...

Excellent coverage of the latest fast stream recruitment data from @tevyemarkson.bsky.social (also featuring analysis from our recent @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report). The CSFS is attracting rising numbers of applicants – so what happens once they're on the scheme is even more important.

This interview is so much worse than the headline lets on

2025 reshuffle: That's a wrap! Who's who in Starmer's cabinet 2.0 and what are the seven things we've learned? @timdurrant.bsky.social , @philipnye.bsky.social, @rebeccamckee.bsky.social , @jackpannell.bsky.social @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/st...

Angela Rayner's resignation on Friday means that a contest to replace her as deputy leader of the Labour Party has started. Read my first explainer at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk to find out how the process will work, who is running, and when will we find out who Rayner's successor will be!

Thanks to @jackpannell.bsky.social for putting these together. Follow the rest of the team @timdurrant.bsky.social @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social & others at @instituteforgovernment.org.uk for more post-shuffle analysis And keep an eye on the live blog www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/st...

Fascinating analysis from @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social on the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk blog of the new ministers: 14 of the 19 new MPs in their first ministerial role were previously parliamentary private secretaries www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/st...

What happened with ministerial changes over the weekend? @instituteforgovernment.org.uk has kept an eye on it - there are *62* ministers in new roles, meaning around half the government are in a new role today Keep an eye on our analysis here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/st...

This reshuffle is far bigger than initially expected! Its impacts will reverberate for some time - but at least Starmer can finally say he seized the spotlight from Reform UK For @instituteforgovernment.org.uk analysis 👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/st...

LIVEBLOG! We've fired up the IfG reshuffle liveblog. Essential for all the latest information as Keir Starmer reshapes his team. Packed with data, charts, details and analysis about all the ministerial moves. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/st...

And we're off! The @instituteforgovernment.org.uk reshuffle live blog is now live, stay with us for updates and analysis from IfG colleagues on Starmer's first government reshuffle. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/st...

So reshuffles. Departures always come first. PM usually goes to Palace of Westminster to do those. Appointments later. We did an incredibly detailed insider podcast on it all only a few weeks ago that is worth a listen as you await further news podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/i...

While all eyes have been on Angela Rayner's big announcement, she was not the only minister to go - reports are that Poppy Gustafsson has resigned as UK investment minister meaning 11 ministers have officially resigned (and 1 has been sacked) from the government since the GE

With Rayner stepping down we have hit 10 minister's who have oficially resigned from this government. Make sure you are following @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social @timdurrant.bsky.social @rebeccamckee.bsky.social meganbryer.bsky.social for what Starmer will do next with his minsiterial team.

We may find out today whether Sir Laurie Magnus concludes that Angela Rayner has broken the ministerial code. But what happens then? While this is a big test of Labour's bolstered ethics system, ultimately these things are all about the politics: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/ange...

Many organisations run graduate schemes focused on developing future leaders. That's what the fast stream has always been, at its core. It now needs to overcome the instinct to be all things to all people and rediscover that sense of purpose. Me for @civilserviceworld.bsky.social:

Hybrid bills have the potential to be a powerful tool for some of the government’s infrastructure ambitions. So how have recent hybrid bills worked and what are the key issues with the process? Read our report on parliament’s role in delivering major infrastructure zurl.co/cFtJQ

Great to see our latest @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report on the fast stream covered in The Guardian. The civil service wants the fast stream to do too much, all at once. A smaller programme that is laser-focused on developing future leaders would deliver more for the civil service.

A massive thank you to @jennacorderoy.bsky.social @benworthy.bsky.social @itscrowbot.bsky.social @lynnwyeth.bsky.social, John Edwards & Charlie Falconer (& a great audience) for a terrific and constructive discussion on FOI @instituteforgovernment.org.uk today Watch back bit.ly/IfGFoI2025

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.

What do Ken Clarke's time as chancellor, Tessa Jowell's first day as a minister and Tim Loughton's jelly babies have in common? All feature in the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Ministers Reflect series! Hear reflections, stories and advice on this special Inside Briefing co-hosted by your truly✨

Charts galore in my analysis of reshuffles past - could Starmer really change up to 40% of his front bench? www.smf.co.uk/commentary_p...

📎REPORT: Hybrid bills: Parliament’s role in delivering major infrastructure Hybrid bills help approve major infrastructure projects, but recent cases show inefficiencies. This paper suggests reforms to improve the process and unlock the potential of hybrid bills. Read the report:👇 zurl.co/m7cUv

Re. Farage's £ figures in announcement today on asylum plans, this is not a big money saver for govt. HO's total managed expenditure (for police, asylum, national security etc) in 24/25 was £22.5bn. That's a lot but £8bn less than e.g. DfT and 1/13th of what DWP spends. 1/7

In my latest piece for the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk I share some top tips from our newest research and podcast on how ministers can step up and lead the government through a crisis: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/mini... #crisisleadership #ministers

How to successfully deliver refugee resettlement In this paper, @sachinsavur.bsky.social and @catherineriachi.bsky.social summarise a roundtable discussion bringing together different parts of government working on resettlement schemes. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

NEW REPORT: how does where you live and your background affect how you do at school? - Inequalities have widened around the country and between groups of children since the pandemic - Progress depends on sharing what works to support disadvantaged pupils & cutting high absence 🧵👇

🎧PODCAST | The secrets of being a government minister To mark the 10th anniversary of Ministers Reflect, this special Inside Briefing takes a look at what former ministers have told us in the last decade. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...

Hybrid bills: Parliament’s role in delivering major infrastructure 🛣️The potential of hybrid bills can often face poor management and procedural inefficiencies. This paper explores how the legislative process can be improved Read the report: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

A bumper cast list for an important anniversary!

The Freedom of Information Act at 25: What next for freedom of information? Created to give citizens the right to request information from public authorities, our panel will assess the FOIA and explore how the system can be improved. 🎟️Register: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/foi-ac...

Labour’s special advisers: a growing cohort is learning on the job www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/labo...

REPORT | Parliament’s role in delivering major infrastructure Read more about how to improve the hybrid bill legislative process📄 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

Hybrid bills: Parliament’s role in delivering major infrastructure @jackpannell.bsky.social and Patrick McAlary uncover key issues around hybrid bills and provide recommendations that will assist future infrastructure projects. Read the report: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

This is genuinely the sort of level of parliamentary nerdiness only @instituteforgovernment.org.uk can get excited about.. but they tell me it really really matters...

New report from my colleagues @jackpannell.bsky.social & @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social on hybrid bills and parliament's role in delivering the government's major infrastructure projects Excellent insight into these bills and the reform that's needed www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

How can government legislate better to deliver major infrastructure projects? Fantastic new paper from @instituteforgovernment.org.uk on how to improve the little-known hybrid bill procedure! www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

What do we know about this this Labour government’s special advisers and how Keir Starmer and his ministers are using them? @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social digs into the data to find out www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/labo...