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 Constitution Unit looks at the independence and accountability of five constitutional regulators. Constitutional watchdogs have emerged in the UK as important overseers of political propriety and the democratic process. But they have developed haphazardly, and vary in the ways they are independent and accountable. There is an obvious...

This report from UK think tank the Adam Smith Institute looks at reforming the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport. 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 Culture, Media and Sport. This paper is...

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 Adam Smith Institute looks at reforming the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office. 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 Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. This paper is part of...

This report from UK think tank the Henry Jackson Society looks at how Britain’s values-based diplomacy can champion dissidents around the world. The Foreign Commonwealth, and Development Office “could and should have done more“ to stand up for dissidents around the world, particularly in China, according to a new report. In a paper authored for...

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...

his report from UK think tank the Adam Smith Institute looks at reforming the UK Cabinet Office. 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 Cabinet Office. This paper is part of the Adam Smith Institute’s “Reforming...

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 Constitution Unit looks at whether the NI power-sharing arrangements that the Agreement established can survive. This project looks at the state of Northern Ireland politics as the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement approaches its quarter-century. It asks whether and how the power-sharing arrangements that the Agreement established can survive...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at how a decade of cuts and rising demand for social care affected local services. England’s most deprived areas were hit by the largest local authority spending cuts during a decade of austerity. In a week in which elections are being held in 144...

This report from UK think tank the Henry Jackson Society looks at the impact of government policy on migration composition and social cohesion. Our latest report finds that the nature of immigration to the UK is changing following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, with fewer European immigrants and far more from India, China, and...

This report from UK think tank Bright Blue looks at public attitudes to address the cost of living crisis.  The cost of living crisis is hitting the finances of British families hard: the Consumer Financial Confidence Index has dropped to the lowest score in a decade and inflation reached 5.5% in January. But we are...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at the 12 missions and whether they are clear and measurable. The government’s 12 levelling up ‘missions’ – targets to be achieved by 2030 across a range of policy areas from crime to health to housing – will not reduce regional inequality. The missions...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at how ministers and officials should use messaging apps – and how they shouldn’t. The government must address the inconsistent guidance – or in some cases no guidance at all – for how ministers, special advisers and civil servants use WhatsApp. Banning WhatsApp in...