This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at MoJ's preparations for reunification and their transition back into the department. The reunification of probation services successfully took place on 26 June 2021. The fact that a transition of such scale was delivered as planned with virtually no disruption is impressive, even without...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at addressing issues with delays, attracting talent and politicisation in public appointments. This report argues that high-profile leaks and disputes over appointments to Ofcom, the Charity Commission and the Office for Students have been corrosive for the public appointments system. It calls on the...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at how to ensure the FCO is capable of responding to the war in Ukraine and future crises. How should the Foreign Office change now? assesses the impact of a morale-damaging merger of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for International...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at how government can learn from Covid to be better prepared for the next crisis. With the UK facing a growing number of extreme risks, the current government has failed to learn from the Covid pandemic and so the new administration must urgently take...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at the need for a long-term focus on skills and cities. Levelling up will not deliver the changes promised by Boris Johnson unless the next prime minister’s government is more ambitious in tackling regional inequality. What levelling up policies will drive economic change?: The...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at how to grip the civil service reform agenda. With the Johnson era coming to a close, the civil service’s leaders need to find their voices, assert how best to run the institution, set a clear purpose and learn – and be seen to...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at how personal style and gender norms affect leadership in government. This guest paper by the University of Southampton reveals patterns in ministerial leadership styles that have profound impacts on the relationship between ministers and civil servants. It draws from over 100 interviews with...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at understanding the role of the attorney and solicitor general. The UK government’s ‘law officers’ – the attorney general and solicitor general – are ministers who provide legal advice to their colleagues in government. The roles are unique. While the law officers are politicians...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at devolving more powers over spending to metro mayors will help leaders level up England.  The UK government must devolve fuller powers and greater flexibility over spending to metro mayors so that these local leaders can help level up England. The government rightly recognises...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at Government’s big decision on how to share the pain. The government cannot insulate all households from the economic slowdown needed to bring inflation under control. Instead the big decision facing ministers is how to share the economic pain. With the Office for Budget...