This report from UK think tank the Institute of Welsh Affairs argues that reforming borrowing powers is key to better enable transformative policy making in Wales. Despite having fairly strong powers and a budget in the tens of billions, our research finds that the Welsh Government only has a limited ability to kickstart major projects to improve...

This report from UK think tank the Adam Smith Institute looks at a number of reforms to improve the efficiency and value for money of the DWP. The Adam Smith Institute’s latest discussion paper, written by Tim Ambler, proposes a number of reforms to improve the efficiency and value for money of the Department for...

This report from UK think tank the SMF argues that the real estate and investment sectors must put their theorisations about social value into practice. Social Value Roadmap for Real Estate sets out recommendations for how designers, developers, the financial services industry, and local and central government can work together to maximise social value within...

This report from UK think tank the Adam Smith Institute looks at reforming HM Treasury. This report proposes a number of reforms to improve the efficiency and value for money of HM Treasury. This paper is part of the Adam Smith Institute’s “Reforming the Civil Service” series. The Treasury has responsibility for a number of...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at the case for keeping and improving the government’s performance framework. The prime minister should embrace outcome delivery plans – introduced in 2020 to set out and measure government departments’ plans and performance – if she wants to make progress on her delivery priorities....

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at what awaits Kwasi Kwarteng as he takes over the reins at HM Treasury. New chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng will need to cut spending on public services, raise other taxes or break the government’s fiscal rules if he implements Liz Truss’s promised tax cuts. While...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at how to get to grips with departmental budgets. When a new government is formed, or a reshuffle occurs, new secretaries of state usually arrive in their departments with plenty of ideas about what they want to do or achieve. But the departments they...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at a positive example of rapid innovation in the delivery of public services. Oak National Academy stands out as a positive example of rapid innovation in the delivery of public services. This report discusses how the idea for Oak was developed, its launch and...

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 Adam Smith Institute looks at reforming the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. This report proposes a number of reforms to improve the efficiency and value for money of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. This paper is part of the Adam Smith Institute’s “Reforming...

This report from UK think tank the Adam Smith Institute looks at reforming the Home Office. This report proposes a number of reforms to improve the efficiency and value for money of the Home Office. This paper is part of the Adam Smith Institute’s “Reforming the Civil Service” series. The Home Office has responsibility for...

This report from UK think tank the Adam Smith Institute looks at reforming the Department for Transport. This report proposes a number of reforms to improve the efficiency and value for money of the Department for Transport. This paper is part of the Adam Smith Institute’s “Reforming the Civil Service” series. The Department for Transport...

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 Adam Smith Institute looks at reforming the Ministry of Defence. The Adam Smith Institute’s latest discussion paper, written by Tim Ambler, proposes a number of reforms to improve the efficiency and value for money of the Ministry of Defence This paper is part of the Adam Smith Institute’s...