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

Completing the map

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at how the government can extend devolution to the whole of England. After a decade of devolution, a dozen English regions are now led by mayors who, in partnership with local government, control key economic powers and budgets. But devolution has unfolded unevenly and...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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How to run the next multi-year spending review

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government says that Labour's missions need a reformed spending review process. The approach taken in recent spending reviews is not up to the job of achieving Labour’s missions. This report shows how the existing process fails to align government spending with strategic priorities and long-term value...

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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...

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Fixing public services: priorities for the new Labour government

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government examines the public services priorities for the new Labour government. This report from the Institute for Government and Nuffield Foundation reveals that the government’s inheritance on public services is extremely precarious. Most services are performing worse now than they were in 2010 or before the...

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The crisis in prisons

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government will look at how to start fixing the problems at the heart of the criminal justice system. Prisons are in a profound state of crisis. The Prison Governors’ Association warned last week that prisons in England and Wales are just days away from running out...

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Clean power by 2030: How could a Labour government achieve its mission for power sector decarbonisation?

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government will examine how Keir Starmer can knock down the 10 biggest barriers to Labour's 2030 clean power plan. If elected a Labour government will face 10 major barriers to hitting its 2030 clean power target – and needs a plan for week one, month one...

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Capital spending in public services: fixing how the government invests in the NHS, schools and prisons

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government reveals the impact of the UK’s historically low – and badly spent – capital budgets. Crumbling buildings, creaking IT and a lack of equipment will continue to seriously hamper public service performance unless the next government takes a new approach to capital spending. This report,...

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Delivering a general practice estate that is fit for purpose

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government says that the next government must urgently modernise old and cramped NHS GP buildings. GPs and the rest of the general practice workforce are working in buildings that are often too cramped, too old and too inflexible for a modern health service – with a...

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General election 2024: the precarious state of the state

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government examines the scale and severity of the problems facing the next government. The general election campaign is in full swing. Politicians are vying to persuade the public that it is their party which is best placed to lead the UK to a brighter future. But...

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Funding local growth in England

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government sets out how the next government can simplify the funding landscape for all local and combined authorities. Central government’s over-reliance on competitive bidding to fund local and combined authorities is not working for anyone and inhibits local growth. This report sets out how the next...

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A preventative approach to public services

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government sets out how the next government can use a new parliament to shift to a preventative approach to public services. Whoever wins the general election will be unable to deliver high-performing public services – and keep taxes and debt at sustainable levels – unless it...

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Who runs Whitehall?

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government highlights the need to improve the way officials are appointed to the most senior roles and managed once in post. This report reveals, for the first time, the backgrounds, appointments, pay and management of 148 of Whitehall’s top civil servants. The IfG’s findings make clear...

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