This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at the lessons from the Darlington Economic Campus for civil service relocation. The relocation of parts of the civil service to Darlington is proving beneficial for government – but ministers shouldn’t see civil service relocation as a primary tool for reducing regional economic inequality....

This report from UK think tank the Centre for Cities looks at persistent issues with the current grant system for local government. Local government relies heavily on central grants to deliver economic policies, and the current system hinders its ability to respond effectively to economic change. The Levelling Up White Paper committed to streamlining the...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at the deep-rooted institutional and cultural problems that undermine the Home Office’s performance. Deep-rooted institutional and cultural problems undermine the Home Office’s performance and approach to crime, immigration, and asylum seekers – and are neglected by ministers at their peril. This report says Suella...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at the concept of impartiality within the context of the UK civil service. The importance of an impartial civil service is part of the conventional wisdom of government in the UK. Often discussed, sometimes challenged, debate on the subject is not new but often...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at how the civil service should improve support for ministers. Strengthening civil service support for ministers is essential to reset the strained relationship between Whitehall and government – and this should begin with reform of ministers' private offices. Recent events in government, including the...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at their interview archive and pulls out their advice for those taking on the role. The Institute for Government’s Ministers Reflect archive comprises close to 150 interviews with ministers from UK and devolved governments of the last 30 years, from all parties, departments and...

This report from UK think tank the Nuffield Trust highlights progress and identifies where action is needed to create a more resilient social care system. Social care in England entered the pandemic in a fragile state. With much already written about the government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic in the social care sector, our new...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at lessons that can be learnt from 1997 and 2010 in preparing the shadow Cabinet. In the UK the main party of government has changed only twice in three decades. In 1997, Labour took over after 18 years of Conservative rule; in 2010, after...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at lessons that can be learned for HM Treasury from the pandemic. This report examines the Treasury’s impressive role in designing and delivering economic support schemes – as well as the problems that undermined government decision making. It draws on over a year of...

This report from UK think tank the Social Market Foundation looks at whether leadership and management can improve public service performance. This briefing from the Social Market Foundation think-tank highlights some of the key ways in which the existing research suggests that leadership and management in the public sector can play an important role in...