Policy area: Politics

Reports

The new politics of AI: Why fast technological change requires bold policy targets

This report from UK think tank IPPR argues that AI needs to be directed towards societies’ goals, via ‘mission-based policies’. The upcoming AI Action Summit in Paris is an opportunity to show how we can harness artificial intelligence (AI) as a force for societal, economic, and environmental good. AI is fundamentally different from other technologies...

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The homes that children deserve: Housing policy to support families

This report from UK think tank IPPR recommends tackling child poverty by reforming welfare payments and building more social housing. As the government seeks to develop a new child poverty strategy, it will need to grapple with housing – the single largest cost faced by families. As the government seeks to develop a new child...

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Did Wagner succeed in the eyes of its African and Middle Eastern clients?

This report from UK think tank RUSI looks at the Wagner Group from the perspective of its African and Middle Eastern clients. This Whitehall Report looks at the Wagner Group from the perspective of its African and Middle Eastern clients, focusing on four case studies: Mali, the Central African Republic, Mozambique and Syria. Why did...

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Whitehall Monitor 2025

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government is their annual, data-based assessment of the UK civil service over the past year.  High staff turnover, confused workforce planning, slipping morale and uncompetitive pay are hindering the civil service’s ability to deliver Labour’s missions. Whitehall Monitor 2025, the IfG’s annual data-driven stocktake of the...

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Modernising elections: How to get voters back

This report from UK think tank IPPR puts forward policy approaches to improve turnout and reduce inequality at UK general elections. Elections are the defining feature of modern democracy. They are the process by which we express a desired future en masse. It is the mass dimension that matters most; it is the mass dimension...

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How the government can design better asylum policy

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government puts forward recommendations to help the government set a clear direction and a coherent asylum strategy. The government must exert its authority over the whole asylum system and avoid short-sighted measures aimed at conjuring an illusion of control. This report puts forward recommendations to help...

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The childcare challenge: How can the new government deliver a real childcare guarantee?

This report from UK think tank IPPR seeks to reimagine childcare as a proper public service, capable of driving progress on the opportunity mission goals. Can we reimagine childcare as a proper public service? The newly elected Labour government has picked up where the previous government left off, by committing to continuing the plans to...

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Full stream ahead

This report from UK think tank Reform proposes a new model for the Fast Stream, founded on more rigorous entrance exams and a new 'Executive Leadership Scheme'. The Fast Stream was set up to recruit the brightest and best for public service. And as government grapples with era-defining challenges, including how to build a resilient...

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Common ground Conservatism

This report from UK think tank the Centre for Policy Studies finds that there is still a viable electoral coalition available to the Conservatives. How can the Conservative Party recover from electoral catastrophe? A new report from the Centre for Policy Studies, built around an extensive programme of quantitative and qualitative research led by James...

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French lessons for Britain’s economy

This report from UK think tank the Centre for European Reform finds that macro-economic forces have been crucial to the bigger productivity slowdown in Britain. Average wages in Britain are only slightly higher than they were in 2007. That extraordinary fact is down to extremely weak productivity growth after 2008. France, on the other hand,...

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Popular planning

This report from UK think tank the Adam Smith Institute proposes enhancing public engagement in the UK's planning system by adopting a model inspired by fantasy football. The Adam Smith Institute's report, "Popular Planning" by Paul Smith, proposes enhancing public engagement in the UK's planning system by adopting a model inspired by Fantasy Football. Currently,...

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From backwater to battleground

This report from UK think tank the Social Market Foundation examines the political importance of a joined-up immigration and skills policy in the UK. The new Labour government views the perceived dependence of some sectors of the UK economy on overseas workers as unsustainable and contrary to the national interest. Joined-up immigration and skills policy...

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Getting on track for a circular economy

This report from UK think tank Green Alliance offers lessons on how the government can avoid mistakes of the past. The government was elected in 2024 on a hopeful message of change, with a manifesto promise to create a circular economy, which was swiftly backed up with the announcement of a taskforce to develop a...

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Grown up government

This report from UK think tank Reform examines a comprehensive model of political support. Unlike in high-performing organisations in other sectors, and indeed governments of comparable countries, Britain’s politicians are significantly limited in their ability to shape the teams they have around them, and to appoint outside experts and aides to help deliver their priorities....

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More, more, more

This report from UK think tank the Resolution Foundation puts the autumn budget 2024 decisions on tax, spending and borrowing into context. This has been the most anticipated Budget of modern times. It had to wrestle with profound – and sometimes conflicting – challenges: fixing the strained public services; repairing failing public services; and breaking...

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Related Events

10 February 2025

Location: IEA 2 Lord North Street ( entrance on Great Peter Street) London SW1 3LB

Think tank: Institute of Economic Affairs

Failed State: The bestselling investigation of why Britain is struggling

At this event hosted by UK think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs Sam Freedman will discuss his book 'Failed State'. The IEA Book Club will be hosting an upcoming event with Sam Freedman on his latest book, “Failed State”. This event will take place on Monday 10th February from 18:00 – 20:30 at the IEA Westminster offices....

26 February 2025

Location: Centre for Policy Studies, 57 Tufton Street, London SW1P 3QL

Think tank: Centre for Policy Studies

Revolutionising Britain: The legacy of Sir Keith Joseph

This event hosted by UK think tank the Centre for Policy Studies will explore the legacy of Sir Keith Joseph. The Centre for Policy Studies is delighted to welcome Chairman of the Conservative History Group Lord Stephen Parkinson and historian Vernon Bogdanor for a discussion exploring the legacy of Sir Keith Joseph. Once seemingly destined...

4 March 2025

Location: Online

Think tank: Institute of Welsh Affairs

Fostering democratic innovations in Wales: Lessons from around the world

This event hosted by UK think tank the Institute of Welsh Affairs explores the potential of democratic innovations for improving the health of Welsh democracy. Join us as we launch our latest report and explore the potential of democratic innovations for improving the health of Welsh democracy. Fostering Democratic Innovations in Wales: Lessons From Around the...