How the centre of government can design better growth policy
Think tank: Institute for Government
Author(s): Giles Wilkes
February 5, 2026
This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government Labour sets out how the government can be better equipped to take tough choices on growth.
The government needs to sharpen up its strategy for raising the rate of growth, led by a stronger more economically capable No.10.
This report, in partnership with Imperial College London, sets out the underlying problems with the way Labour – like many previous governments – approaches growth policy, and how the centre can be reformed to better equip it to take tough choices on growth.
To provide for a stronger, more economically qualified No.10, capable of working on equal terms with the Treasury, the prime minister should:
Focus his No.10 on setting direction and resolving political problems, not becoming a focal point for lobbying or policy-origination.
Set up No.10 to avoid being a centralising, micro-managing team springing ideas and demands upon the rest of government.
Bring in more expert advice to his top team, so that ‘the economics’ isn’t left to the Treasury, but can sit equally with the prime minister – who must lead from the very top on growth policy.
