Reports
Arts for us all
This report from UK think tank the Fabian Society discusses putting culture and creativity at the heart of national renewal. The Fabian Society’s Arts and Creative Industries unit was set up in November 2023 to develop bold new ideas for culture policy inspired by progressive values. This pamphlet draws together some of the unit’s most...
Improving accountability in government procurement
This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at improving accountability in government procurement. The Procurement Act, brought in under the previous government and effective from February 2025, will bring in a new public sector procurement regime. Simplified regulations, greater transparency and enhanced exclusion criteria could all help improve accountability. But there...
Ministerial maternity leave
This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government draws on the experience of seven former politicians of having a baby while in office. This report, co-authored by former minister Chloe Smith, looks at the experience of seven ministers and MPs who had a baby while in office. It examines the impact of the...
How the government can build more homes
This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government examines the history of why successive governments have found it difficult to deliver on housebuilding pledges. Fixing the housing crisis has featured in every recent UK government’s list of top priorities: this report examines why so many have found it difficult to deliver on such...
20 ways to improve the civil service
This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government sets out 20 tangible actions that the new government should take to radically improve the civil service. Almost a month after the general election, new ministers and advisers are settling into their roles. Departments have already issued a stream of announcements and new initiatives, and...
Where might UK-EU relations be under a Labour government?
This report from UK think tank the Centre for European Reform examines where UK-EU relations might be under a Labour government. The election of a Labour government, led by Sir Keir Starmer, presents an opportunity to reset and strengthen the UK’s relations with the European Union. A new essay ‘Where might UK-EU relations be under...
Half of us: turnout patterns at the 2024 general election
This report from UK think tank IPPR takes a first look at who spoke in the 2024 UK general election. One-half of adults in this country voted at the 2024 general election, the lowest share of the population to vote since universal suffrage. This report takes a first look at who spoke in the 2024...
Great expectations? Public perceptions and expectations for the new government
This report from UK think tank Bright Blue looks at public perceptions and expectations for the new government. This polling analysis examines UK public attitudes towards the performance of the last Conservative Government and their perceptions of the priorities and effectiveness of the new Labour Government. It reveals that the UK public is united in...
100 Four 100: How a new government can set itself up for success
This report from UK think tank offers an essential playbook for an incoming government on how to begin delivering on key election pledges from day one. With the UK set for a change of government, we look ahead to the morning after election night, asking how an incoming government can use its first 100 hours,...
Northern Ireland
This report from UK think tank the Constitution Unit looks at the challenges for the next Westminster government. Whatever the result of the upcoming general election, a new Westminster government may want to comprehensively reappraise the way that it addresses Northern Ireland issues, a new Constitution Unit report says. The report, which offers an agenda...
Shadow expenses
This report from UK think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs provides a list and numerical count of regulatory measures across the six largest parties by vote share. The general election campaign has focused on tax and spending promises, with much less attention paid to proposed regulatory measures. Regulations often have well-intentioned goals, including protecting...
Crazy for you
This report from UK think tank the Social Market Foundation seeks to illuminate how the UK can best realise the benefits that come from the admission of international students. The debate around international students has taken on a more negative tone both in the UK and in other major host countries over the past year...
Religious diversity in UK parliamentary constituencies
This report from UK think tank the Henry Jackson Society provides a topline summary of the latest data on religious diversity in Britain. In April 2015, the Henry Jackson Society released a briefing about the presence of religious groups throughout the United Kingdom. Titled Religious Diversity in British Parliamentary Constituencies, it detailed the number and...
Breadline Britain’s election battleground
This report from UK think tank the Centre for Social Justice puts together an analysis of low-income voters to encourage all parties to make social justice their priority. Five years ago, with a general election looming, the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) polled low-income voters on how they viewed the major political parties. Almost 8...
General election 2024: manifesto analysis
This report from UK think tank UK in a changing Europe analyses the manifestos of the Conservative and Labour parties. Manifestos provide an opportunity for political parties to lay out their plans for government. While not binding in any legal sense, a government is often judged, at least in part, by its success or otherwise...