Institute for Government

The Institute for Government is the UK’s leading independent think tank working to make government more effective.

Through in-depth analysis, expert commentary and influential public events, we explore how government works – and how it can work better.

Our team conducts rigorous evidence-based research and data analysis, brings together key decision makers to share insight and expertise, and sets out fresh ideas and constructive recommendations to help senior politicians and public servants improve the way government works.

Our IfG Academy programme provides opportunities for ministers, shadow ministers and senior civil servants to understand their roles, and develop skills to better equip them for life in government.

We also work with academic researchers, charities, businesses and international audiences to help them understand how government and policy making works.

The Institute was awarded the Political Studies Association’s Political Communicator of the Year for 2021-22. In 2019, it was Think Tank of the Year at Prospect’s 2019 Think Tank Awards; and in 2018, it was the winner of the best UK economic think tank award at Prospect’s 2018 Think Tank Awards.

The Institute was founded in 2008 and is led by Dr Hannah White OBE.


Latest reports

Adapting to climate change

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government will look at how the UK can better manage a rapidly changing environment. The impact of climate change is beginning to be felt in the UK. Despite this, successive governments have failed to prepare the UK to adapt to these changes. New housing developments are...

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Power with purpose

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government gives seven recommendations for radical reform of the centre of government. Power with purpose sets out why the centre of government has failed successive prime ministers – and why it will continue to do so – and puts forward seven recommendations for radical reform. Whoever...

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Strengthening the UK’s fiscal framework: Putting fiscal rules in their place

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government provides a guide to reform the fiscal framework to enable the government to make better choices. The UK’s fiscal framework, including a flawed set of rules, is incentivising bad policy decisions shaped by short-termism and fictional spending plans – and does little to promote fiscal...

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Rebuilding trust in public life

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government states that the next government should start the difficult process of showing the British public that our institutions can be trusted. Trust in the institutions of public life has taken a beating after years of scandal in UK politics. From MPs’ lobbying to corruption allegations...

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Treasury ‘orthodoxy’

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government examines what is treasury 'orthodoxy' and whether it is a problem for government. This report examines accusations that rigid beliefs – an ‘orthodoxy’ – shape the Treasury’s economic thinking, with former prime minister Liz Truss and her allies attacking the department for being ideologically anti-growth...

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Preparing for government

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government sets out how the official opposition should ready itself for power. This report sets out key lessons for how any opposition party should use the final 12 months (or fewer) to prepare for government. In the final months before an election access talks are overdue....

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How could Ofsted and the Department for Education reform school inspections in England?

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at careful reform of school regulation and inspections. Careful reform to school regulation and inspections is needed to build on the benefits of inspection while reducing the risk that teachers will be put off entering school leadership. The new chief Inspector Sir Martyn Oliver...

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Proposing change

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at how same-sex marriage became a government success story.

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What is in the prime minister’s ‘emergency’ asylum legislation?

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government examines the safety of the Rwanda Bill and Rwanda Treaty. What are the implications for constitutional and international law of the prime minister’s latest Rwanda gamble?

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IfG response to the Maude review on civil service reform

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government sets out their view on the Maude proposals for civil service reform. The history of government reform is cluttered with plans, reports, strategies and even a declaration. Lord Maude, a former Cabinet Office minister and the most dedicated reformer of the civil service in recent...

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Public appointments in 2023

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at what has changed in the public appointments process and what still needs to change. In August 2022 the Institute for Government published Reforming Public Appointments, which dissected the public appointments process and offered recommendations for how it could be improved. We looked at...

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Performance Tracker 2023

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government outlines the current state of nine public services and the problems they face. The annual Institute for Government/Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) public services stocktake reveals that the government’s spending plans from April 2025 onwards – which Labour have also committed to...

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Performance Tracker 2023

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at public services as the UK approaches a general election. The annual Institute for Government/Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) public services stocktake reveals that the government’s spending plans from April 2025 onwards – which Labour have also committed to – will...

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Retention in public services

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at how the government can keep workers in the NHS, schools and police. Public services are responsible for keeping the public safe, healthy and well educated. This relies on the work of millions of people across the country. But that workforce is not a...

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Doing data justice

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at improving how data is collected, managed and used in the justice system. Data in the justice system has more gaps than other public services, data is often of poor quality, and data analysis is not playing as large a role as it should...

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Upcoming events

25 April 2024

Location: Online / Institute for Government, 2 Carlton Gardens, London SW1Y 5AA

Think tank: Institute for Government

How can the parties improve ethical standards in government?

This event hosted by UK think tank the Institute for Government will discuss how the parties can improve ethical standards in government. Trust in government and politicians continues to fall, and this parliament has seen many ethical scandals, from partygate to bullying. Over the last few years, various organisations including the IfG have called for major...

30 April 2024

Location: Online / Institute for Government, 2 Carlton Gardens, London SW1Y 5AA

Think tank: Institute for Government

Beyond the dark arts: what next for the Whips’ Office?

This event hosted by UK think tank the Institute for Government will explore what's next for the Whips' Office. From little black books to pet tarantulas, MPs being dragged out of ambulances to vote and tantalising promises of ministerial office, the alleged ‘dark arts’ of the government Whips’ Office have a fearsome reputation. But in reality...

30 April 2024

Location: Online / Institute for Government, 2 Carlton Gardens, London SW1Y 5AA

Think tank: Institute for Government

Does London need a new devolution deal?

This event hosted by UK think tank the Institute for Government explores whether more powers should be devolved to London. The establishment of the mayor of London and the London Assembly in 2000 was a milestone moment for English devolution. With a budget of over £20bn and responsibility for key functions – including transport, policing and...

7 May 2024

Location: Online / Institute for Government, 2 Carlton Gardens, London SW1Y 5AA

Think tank: Institute for Government

Bringing in the best: How can the civil service recruit and retain top talent?

This event hosted by UK think tank the Institute for Government will discuss the benefits of external recruitment. The success of the civil service has always depended on the recruitment and retention of exceptional individuals – and this means bringing in talented outsiders with particular skills and capabilities. It is 170 years since the Northcote-Trevelyan report argued that people...