Skip to main content
Institute for Government

Institute for Government

Think_tank | United Kingdom | Centre

Engagement Insights

35
Discussions
0
Participants
0
Total Votes
44
Articles

Discussions from Institute for Government

Politics

Reform UK’s local election gains pose new challenges for Labour mayors

Reform UK’s local election gains pose new challenges for Labour mayors sam.macrory Sat, 30/05/2026 - 07:58 The gains of opposition parties in the May 2026 local elections could make it harder for Labour’s regional mayors to deliver. 4 Comment Harriet Shaw Institute for Government Yes Labour mayors, including Tracy Brabin in West Yorkshire, will now face a dramatically altered political landscape. Devolution Local elections Local government Reform UK Labour Metro mayor Starmer government No Th...

United Kingdom
Join Discussion
Economy

The gilt (or bond) market

The gilt (or bond) market jack.sanders Mon, 01/06/2026 - 11:27 What is a gilt? 5 Explainer Thomas Pope Institute for Government Yes Public finances Economy Business Budget HM Treasury No How does the government borrow money? In every year since 2001, the government has run a deficit. 5 https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn06167/ This means that its spending has exceeded revenues. The government funds that difference by borrowing from financial markets. 6 Even if spending ...

United Kingdom
Join Discussion
Economy

Public financial institutions

Public financial institutions melissa.ittoo Mon, 01/06/2026 - 16:38 Public financial institutions (PuFins) can invest public funds and “crowd in” private investment. But who are they? 6 Explainer Dan Haile Institute for Government Yes Chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves chairs a meeting of the National Wealth Fund Taskforce in 11 Downing Street. Public finances Economy Business Public spending Chancellor of the exchequer HM Treasury No The government wants to boost investment in the UK ...

United Kingdom
Join Discussion
Politics

Danny Kruger will only fix the centre of government if he works out why it’s broken

Danny Kruger will only fix the centre of government if he works out why it’s broken sam.macrory Thu, 28/05/2026 - 17:23 Reform UK are yet to understand the complex realities of power inside government. 8 Comment Hannah Keenan Alex Thomas Institute for Government Yes Much in the content of Reform UK’s plan is also welcome. The analysis underpinning Danny Kruger’s proposals, however, is mistaken. Civil service Civil servants Civil service reform Government reform Reform UK Cabinet secretary Spe...

United Kingdom
Join Discussion
Economy

The UK electricity market

The UK electricity market jack.sanders Fri, 29/05/2026 - 09:17 How does the electricity market work, and how is the government seeking to change it? 7 Explainer Dan Haile Institute for Government Yes The Prime Minister on an energy site visit. Public finances Energy Energy Security Strategy Economy Cost of living Climate change Labour Starmer government Department for Energy Security and Net Zero No The conflict in the Middle East has created an energy crisis that has increased wholesale pric...

United Kingdom
Join Discussion
Education

Alan Milburn’s NEET diagnosis must lead to local level solutions

Alan Milburn’s NEET diagnosis must lead to local level solutions sam.macrory Fri, 29/05/2026 - 13:52 Local leaders are best placed to support a “lost generation” of young people not in education, employment or training. 5 Comment Ben Paxton Martha Ford Institute for Government Yes Former health secretary Alan Milburn speaks to the media on the publication of the interim Milburn Report into Young People and Work. Public finances Education and skills Welfare Public spending Missions Local gover...

United Kingdom
Join Discussion
Politics

The Blair Necessities

The Blair Necessities melissa.ittoo Thu, 28/05/2026 - 14:32 IfG senior fellow Henry Hill joins the podcast team to explore Tony Blair's essay on Labour's future and Danny Kruger's blueprint for government. 1 Podcast Institute for Government No Civil service Ministers Brexit Civil service reform Government reform Civil servants Leadership election Foreign affairs European Union Reform UK Labour Prime minister Starmer government Number 10 Cabinet Office No With a promise to abolish the position...

United Kingdom
Join Discussion
Politics

Shabana Mahmood’s retrospective action on immigration could undermine trust in government

Shabana Mahmood’s retrospective action on immigration could undermine trust in government sam.macrory Thu, 21/05/2026 - 16:44 The home secretary’s immigration reforms could put her on collision course with the courts 5 Comment Shaina Sangha Institute for Government Yes Shabana Mahmood's plans could heighten legal risk for government. Policy making Immigration Judicial review Parliamentary scrutiny Labour Home secretary Starmer government Home Office No Shabana Mahmood’s plans to apply changes...

United Kingdom
Join Discussion
Politics

Government is right to start tackling the knotty issue of civil service pay

Government is right to start tackling the knotty issue of civil service pay melissa.ittoo Fri, 22/05/2026 - 11:38 Performance-related pay progression for senior officials is a good, if limited, move. 4 Comment Hannah Keenan Institute for Government Yes Civil service Civil servants Civil service reform Public sector Labour Chief secretary to the prime minister Starmer government Number 10 No Amid leadership chatter and reports of Westminster in stasis, chief secretary to the prime minister Dar...

United Kingdom
Join Discussion
Geopolitics

Crisis response checklist: How well is the government managing the Iran crisis?

Crisis response checklist: How well is the government managing the Iran crisis? melissa.ittoo Fri, 22/05/2026 - 14:47 6 Insight paper Rosa Hodgkin Institute for Government Yes Strait of Hormuz maritime crisis dashboard. There is no sign of the Strait reopening by June – and even if it does, supply is likely to continue to be disrupted. Policy making Supporting policy making Civil servants Energy Foreign affairs Starmer government No There is more that ministers should be doing to manage the r...

Iran
Join Discussion
Environment

The Climate Change Committee analysis is clear: government must start taking adaptation seriously

The Climate Change Committee analysis is clear: government must start taking adaptation seriously sam.macrory Fri, 22/05/2026 - 15:00 Government should focus on the climate change hitting the UK now. 4 Comment Rosa Hodgkin Jill Rutter Institute for Government Yes Although government resources are limited, the opportunity costs of not preparing the UK for rising temperatures would be higher. Policy making Climate change Labour Starmer government Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affai...

United Kingdom
Join Discussion
Politics

May 2026 elections: What are the implications for local government reorganisation?

May 2026 elections: What are the implications for local government reorganisation? melissa.ittoo Fri, 22/05/2026 - 15:30 England Matthew Fright travels across the home counties to find out how a changed political landscape will shape local government reorganisation. 1 Podcast Institute for Government No Devolution Local government Local government reorganisation Local elections Starmer government Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government No How has England’s political landscape ch...

United Kingdom
Join Discussion