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

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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Review of the UK Constitution: Final report

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government concludes an 18-month long Review of the UK Constitution. The UK’s constitution has been tested to its limits and found in urgent need of reform. This report, published jointly by the Institute for Government and Cambridge University’s Bennett Institute for Public Policy, warns that a...

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‘Levelling up’ from the centre

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at six tests for a government serious about reducing regional inequalities. Central government is not set up to deliver this government’s promise – or Labour’s plans – to reduce regional inequality. This report sets out how central government has undermined past attempts to reduce...

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How to appoint a cabinet

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at a more considered way for prime ministers to appoint their cabinets. This guest paper from experienced former civil servant Tim Leunig puts forward a proposal for a more cohesive and considered way for prime ministers to appoint their cabinet.

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Constitutional change in Northern Ireland

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at the most pressing governance challenges in Northern Ireland today. In Northern Ireland, mention of constitutional change normally means just one thing: United Kingdom versus United Ireland. The ‘constitutional question’ that this juxtaposition connotes – whether or not a majority of the people in...

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How is evidence used in tax policy making?

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at how different types of evidence feed into tax policy making. Taxes are likely to be a key battleground in the next election. Weak growth, struggling public services and the cost-of-living crisis are creating pressure for more public spending. But in opposition the Labour...

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Revamping government reform

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at the long-awaited refresh of its civil service reform programme. Two years after the publication of the Declaration on Government Reform, the government has set out a long-awaited refresh of its civil service reform programme. Cabinet Office minister Jeremy Quin detailed his priorities for...

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Rebuilding and renewing the constitution

This report from UK think tanks the Institute for Government and the Constitution Unit looks at constitutional reforms available to political parties. This joint report by the Institute for Government and UCL’s Constitution Unit sets out a menu of constitutional reforms available to political parties to strengthen the UK’s constitution and governing institutions. It is...

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What does the Office for Local Government need to succeed?

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at the newly-launched Office for Local Government and the potential to make government more effective. The newly-launched Office for Local Government (Oflog) has the potential to make government at all levels more effective – but there is a risk that Oflog will be held...

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The art of the devolution deal

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at how England’s counties and cities can make a success of devolution. This report sets out how politicians and officials can master the art of the devolution deal to give new devolved institutions a greater chance of success. It welcomes the cross-party consensus behind...

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