NEW REPORT: how to make a success of SEND reform Government needs to get off the sidelines and build a SEND system that makes it easier for schools, councils and health services to work together. Our new report sets out how 🧵

Quite here for No.10 North (if that's what we're calling it). Loads of pitfalls, and I think you do need to keep quite a lot of centre of gov in your capital city, but there is a v good version of this which moves out Burnham priorities. Have written down some ideas on how to make it work 👇

👋 Meet the IfG Academy team! We’re kicking off a thread to introduce the people behind our work – what they do and what they’re passionate about. First up…

On the 10th anniversary of the referendum, @meganbryer.bsky.social and I have looked into the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Ministers Reflect archive to see what ministers involved in getting Brexit done (to coin a phrase) thought about it all... www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/ministers-re...

With another prime minister being forced to resign it is worth looking at the role in the context of recent history Since Brown took power in 2007 there has been seven (soon to be eight) PMs - compare that to the previous 30 odd years where the UK had only 3 PMs @instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Keir Starmer has announced his resignation, becoming the latest PM unable to see out a term in office But he won't stop being prime minister just yet - as the process to replace him gets underway Starmer will continue to man the ship as PM (but for how long depends on the Labour leadership contest)

With another prime minister being forced to resign it is worth looking at the role in the context of recent history Since Brown took power in 2007 there has been seven (soon to be eight) PMs - compare that to the previous 30 odd years where the UK had only 3 PMs @instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Keir Starmer has announced his resignation, becoming the latest PM unable to see out a term in office But he won't stop being prime minister just yet - as the process to replace him gets underway Starmer will continue to man the ship as PM (but for how long depends on the Labour leadership contest)

TWO new @instituteforgovernment.org.uk reports out today from me, @nehaldavison.bsky.social, @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social and @emma-conway.bsky.social on early years policy and what's needed to ensure boys from low-income families are not left behind. 🧵 tinyurl.com/99pcyskh tinyurl.com/4bcbyyfz

The violent attacks in Belfast have been horrendous. With family there, it’s hard to know what to say. But @timdurrant.bsky.social and I have been looking at how ministers can lead during and after a crisis - and why it matters that the underlying issues aren’t all the same as the rest of the UK

Defence secretary John Healey has just resigned over the govt's Defence Investment Plan, writing that it "falls well short of what is required for defence and the country at this dangerous time". We're getting our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk resignation chart fired back up..

What can ministers learn from their predecessors' work with the civil service? Our paper draws on the IfG's Ministers Reflect archive to share lessons from former ministers on how to get the most out of working with the civil service: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

A short piece from me in Civil Service World this week outlining the key arguments from mine and @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social's new paper on the relationship between ministers and the civil service. We draw on the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's fantastic Ministers Reflect archive... Read below!

Great piece by @meganbryer.bsky.social on our new paper on ministers & the civil service drawing on @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Ministers Reflect interviews What do ministers like about the civil service, what do they dislike & how could this relationship work better? Read more about it 👇

What can ministers learn from their predecessors' work with the civil service? Our paper draws on the IfG's Ministers Reflect archive to share lessons from former ministers on how to get the most out of working with the civil service: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

ICYMI: Great thread from Megan looking at her and @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social's latest paper from @instituteforgovernment.org.uk, on what ministers have told us about their views on the civil service

Government plan to use parliament to protect against judicial review for clean energy infrastructure This could help speed up infrastructure, but reforms won't be easy to implement and should be accompanied by a wider assessment of parliament's role in infrastructure Some thoughts from me 👇

The government is seeking a quick solution for its infrastructure frustrations. But attempts to let parliament fast-track its infrastructure plans should come with a wider reform, including of the hybrid bill process, says @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...

NEW | Ministers reflect on the civil service The ministerial–civil service relationship has been strained in recent years. Our report shares lessons from former ministers on how to get the most out of working with the civil service www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

With the new cabinet secretary, Antonia Romeo, recently marking her 100th day in the role, we argue that current ministers and civil servants should use this moment to rebuild the relationship between them.

A new paper published today by @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social and me draws on the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's archive of interviews with former ministers to set out, in ministers’ own words, their experience of working with the civil service... 🧵 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

Whether a tepid bath or another tortured metaphor, ministers have lots to say about the civil service Why are ministers frustrated? What do they like about it? How they can get the best out of it? Read this @instituteforgovernment.org.uk paper by @meganbryer.bsky.social and me to find out more 👇👇

Government plan to use parliament to protect against judicial review for clean energy infrastructure This could help speed up infrastructure, but reforms won't be easy to implement and should be accompanied by a wider assessment of parliament's role in infrastructure Some thoughts from me 👇

A new piece from @hannahkeenan.bsky.social and me on Danny Kruger’s plans for the centre of government under Reform UK Some useful proposals, some mistakes, but based on a fundamental misdiagnosis www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/dann...

Areas of Research Interest are so useful to academics and experts outside of government who are keen to use their research to inform policy making- if that’s you, do take a look at these new ones from DCMS!

Health secretary Wes Streeting has just resigned from government, writing in his resignation letter that he has lost confidence in the PM - "where we need vision, we have vacuum. Where we need direction, we have drift". We're live updating our chart here at @instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Health innovation and safety minister Zubir Ahmed becomes the fourth minister to resign today, writing that "the public across the UK has now irretrievably lost confidence" in Starmer as prime minister. See our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk ministerial resignations chart for the latest:

Alex Davies-Jones (minister for victims and tackling violence against women and girls) becomes the third minister to resign from government today, citing the "catastrophic" electoral defeats last week in her resignation letter and urging the prime minister to set out a timetable for his departure.

Jess Phillips - minister for safeguarding violence against women and girls - becomes the second minister to resign today, telling the PM that "deeds, not words are what matter". Our explainer @instituteforgovernment.org.uk has info on all 15 ministers that have resigned since Labour took office...

EVENT | What does the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act mean for children’s social care? 📆Tuesday 12 May 2026, 14:00-15:00 Join us next week as an expert panel explores the next steps for children’s social care reform and new analysis from the Institute for Government.

The restoration & renewal project presents one of the most challenging large-scale restoration projects for the UK Join us next Monday 11 May as our expert panel explores how to take this forward and what it means for people working in parliament and those who will design and deliver the project

Today at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk, we publish a brand new set of Ministers Reflect interviews with Steve Baker, Gillian Keegan and Danny Alexander. They discussed what makes for effective ministerial leadership, the challenges of the role and their proudest achievements in post...

What happens when you increase the Irish talent at RF....kudos to @cillian-sheehan.bsky.social for this chart of the week to lighten the mood as beer garden weather finally kicks in.

TODAY | The Peter Mandelson scandal: What are the lessons for Keir Starmer's government? Join us live at 12:30 as @timdurrant.bsky.social @hannahkeenan.bsky.social @jillongovt.bsky.social @drhannahwhite.bsky.social explore the fall-out from the vetting and the sacking of Sir Olly Robbins.

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

A new report from the IfG published today sets out 4 key lessons for ministers on how they can be effective leaders of public service reform. A thread of our main findings below… www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

Nigel Farage has penned an op-ed for the Telegraph pledging to repeal Labour's somekefree generation legislation. Almost a year ago I set out for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk why policy makers should not take continued cross-partisan consensus on anti-smoking legislation for granted.

Senior Reform UK members are reportedly exploring a US-style executive order approach to government. @sirjjkc.bsky.social examines whether government by executive order is a plausible model for the UK www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...

Since the government reshuffle in Sept25, the representation of women among cabinet ministers has dropped slightly from 48% to 44% - but remains higher than under any previous prime minister. Ahead of International Women’s Day, here's some insights from our interviews with women who served in govt

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...

Govt’s 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.

Cabinet secretaries A 110 year old job. A lot of variation in how past holders have done the job. A lot of debate about whether the job is even doable now. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/ca...

Short comment from me about SEND reform: Legal rights are a much-relied-upon safeguard in the SEND system, but they can complicate efforts to make education more inclusive. Govt must acknowledge and carefully navigate that tension, with parents and other stakeholders

I spoke at the House of Lords Justice & Home Affairs Committee yesterday, on behalf of @instituteforgovernment.org.uk, on immigration, citizenship and integration. Thanks to @jlowen.bsky.social, @cassiarowland.bsky.social and @hcdunlop.bsky.social for help on prep! Session here: tinyurl.com/372h6jdk

Starting shortly - tune in to hear about Darren Jones's plans for rewiring the state

Busy day ahead! Also incudes @darrenpjones.bsky.social setting out his plans to shake up Whitehall and renew the state. Watch on the link below at 11.30 Follow @alexgathomas.bsky.social and @hannahkeenan.bsky.social for some instant reaction. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/modern...

We are really pleased to announce that our Government 2026 annual conference at the IfG will kick start with a keynote speech by Wes Streeting at 8:30am. He will be in conversation with @drhannahwhite.bsky.social Join us online: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...

‼️Not to miss‼️In conversation with Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister The PM's Chief Secretary will set out the changes being made to the centre of Whitehall to enable the government to drive action more quickly in 2026. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...

New to Bluesky? Or just interested in the workings of government in the UK? Check out our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk starter pack here - find all my fantastic colleagues and follow for their insight and analysis go.bsky.app/P7JZCH

📝Our new @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report with @jackpannell.bsky.social & @emmanorris.bsky.social out today sets out out the underlying problems with the way public inquiries are established We argue ministers need better support to make informed decisions about how an inquiry should be set up