Reshuffle at last
This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at what does Boris Johnson’s new cabinet mean for government. After months of rumours, Boris Johnson has reshuffled his cabinet to remove some of the most criticised ministers and elevate his allies. In public terms, it may prove underwhelming. He has indeed demoted or...
Ten questions the proposed commissioner for public appointments must answer
This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at process for public appointments. This report sets out 10 key questions that William Shawcross, Boris Johnson’s preferred candidate for the role of commissioner for public appointments, should be asked at the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC) pre-appointment hearing. It says the...
Net zero policy tracker: September 2021 update
This update from UK think tank Green Alliance looks at the gap between government spending and what is needed to achieve climate change targets. Green Alliance has been monitoring the gap between new UK government policy and spending and what is needed to achieve legal climate change targets. This is the fifth edition of the...
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at how successful was the furlough scheme and what should happen next? The furlough scheme risks providing poor value for money and should end as planned at the end of September – even if it is still supporting many jobs. This report, based on...
Parliamentary Monitor 2021
This report from UK think tank Institute for Government looks at the effectiveness of government scrutiny by parliament. The government must drop its dismissive approach to scrutiny as parliament returns to in-person sittings. Parliamentary Monitor 2021 finds that the efforts of MPs and peers to hold ministers to account during the 2019–21 parliamentary session were...
Schools and coronavirus
This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at the government’s handling of education during the pandemic. The government's failure – indeed refusal – to make contingency plans for schools and exams in the summer of 2020 is the most “unforgiveable aspect” of its handling of education during the coronavirus pandemic. Published ahead of the 2021 A-Level...
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund
This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at the Shared Fund and if it is strengthening the union or undermining devolution. The UK government’s post-Brexit UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) – replacing EU ‘structural funds’, to be launched in April 2022 – risks damaging trust between the UK and devolved administrations...
The appointment and conduct of departmental NEDs
This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at the growing need to clarify rules and improve transparency around the appointment of NEDs. Matt Hancock’s resignation – and Gina Coladangelo’s role as a departmental non-executive director (NED) – has exposed the growing need to clarify rules and improve transparency around the appointment...
Smarter government
This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government assesses the Commission for Smart Government’s ‘four steps’ for reform. The Commission for Smart Government is right to say in its report on ‘smarter government’* that this is an important moment for government renewal. Change often comes after moments of trauma. Wars and crises have...
Updating the ministerial code
This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at an overhaul of the rules governing ministerial standards of behaviour. The ministerial code is not working, is being undermined by the prime minister and requires urgent reform. This report argues that Boris Johnson should fundamentally overhaul the rules which govern the standards of...