Reports
Calibrated force: Operation Sindoor and the future of Indian deterrence
This report from UK think tank RUSI examines the use of calibrated force. The strikes by the Indian Air Force against targets in Pakistan offer a powerful lesson in restraint and Operation Sindoor adds a new approach to India's strategic toolbox.
A new Civil Service Act
This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government presents a draft Bill designed to improve the management, functioning and oversight of the civil service. Since our foundation, the Institute for Government has argued for improved accountability in government and researched ways to achieve it. In recent years we have led calls for a...
Hamas’s human shield strategy in Gaza
This report from UK think tank the Henry Jackson Society provides an analysis of Hamas’s systematic use of human shield tactics during the 7 October Israel–Hamas war. Since 7 October 2023, the UN has issued 367 reports that are filed under the subject of “Gaza Strip”. A search of these reports reveals that the UN...
Reducing school absence: innovation lessons from the last Labour government
This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government explores how Labour can learn from its experience of tackling complex problems when it was last in government. The last Labour government’s success in tackling complex policy problems like school absence provides a blueprint for Keir Starmer’s government. This report, written by Moira Wallace, former...
Social democracy now
This report from UK think tank the Fabian Society argues that communitarianism provides the roadmap the left needs today. Communitarianism has long been part of the Fabian story, most notably developed by G.D.H. Cole and R.H. Tawney. But until now, it has been a subplot — overshadowed by the big-state, democratic collectivism associated with the...
Why government should introduce an annual migration plan
This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government outlines how government could strengthen the process for developing immigration policy to better achieve its overall objectives. The government’s work to set out its plan for immigration in a white paper is an opportunity to more strategically reassess how migration policies are developed. In 2019,...
Understanding Populism
This report from UK think tank the Social Market Foundation examines populism through the prism of policy. As populism experiences a resurgence in the UK, and across much of the western world, the Social Market Foundation has undertaken research from a policy perspective to understand what populism is, what factors correlate to increased populist support...
Lessons from past independent policy reviews
This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at why reviews are commissioned and how they have been set up and run. This report looks at why reviews are commissioned and how they have been set up and run. It then makes recommendations for reviewers and officials on how to run a...
The economic miracle of Great Britain
This report from UK think tank the Social Market Foundation discusses using DB pension surpluses more productively. In late January, the Chancellor announced changes would be made to existing defined benefit (DB) pension regulations to allow surpluses from these schemes to be released. These assets could then be used for purposes including investment back into...
Local, actually: establishing hyperlocal governance in England
This report from UK think tank Re:State sets out policy ideas for a new kind of hyperlocal governance: a universal, capable, and empowered tier of Neighbourhood Councils. A wave of local government reorganisation and regional devolution is sweeping across England, fundamentally changing the face of the local State. And as this happens, the gap at...
Everythingism
This event from UK think tank Re:State makes the case for a government which is radically focused on the key policies to delivering its agenda. The State has become paralysed by a powerful force: Everythingism. Everythingism is the belief that every proposal, project or policy is a means for promoting every national objective, all at...
Policy making for left-behind groups: school readiness
This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at how government can start closing the opportunity gap in early years education. The Starmer government has committed to five long-term missions, including to ‘break down barriers to opportunity’, and has set a target for 75% of five year-olds to be ‘school ready’ by...
The Constitutional landscape
This report from UK think tank the Constitution Unit provides a concise overview of the current situation and possible reforms in 31 areas. The Labour government came to power in 2024 proposing constitutional reforms in a number of areas. This followed a decade which often saw debates about constitutional topics arise. Some of the government's...
How the government can support better decision making in mayoral combined authorities
This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at making England’s ‘devolution revolution’ a reality. By May, over half of England’s population will live in an area covered by a metro mayor. The mayoral combined authorities (MCAs) they lead have already shown their capacity to take on responsibility for key local economic...
Metromentum: taking strategic authorities from patchwork to powerhouse
This report from UK think tank Re:State sets out a practical roadmap for realising the full potential of Strategic Authorities by evolving them to become more decisive, accountable, and capable. England’s devolution agenda is at a turning point. A new generation of Strategic Authorities is being rolled out across the country. They are intended to...