Incisive commentary from the IfG’s expert team on issues facing government and key ministerial decisions.
From analysis of key political events such as budgets and party conferences to snap responses to unexpected developments such as government reshuffles, our writers set out their views and analyse what government gets right, what it gets wrong, and what it can do better.
'Orthodoxy' is not the issue: the Treasury’s outsized power creates problems for government
Excessive power, rather than ‘orthodox’ thinking, is the main problem with the Treasury.
Six lessons government should learn from the Post Office scandal
The handling of the Post Office scandal has wider lessons for government.
Rishi Sunak’s pointless oil and gas bill is exposing Conservative divisions
The government's oil and gas bill is performative politics and tarnishes the UK's already diminishing claims to moral authority on climate change.
The disorderly return of PFI assets risks disruption to public services
A toxic end to PFI contracts would not encourage future – and needed – private investment in public assets.
Rishi Sunak’s five pledges: one year on
How much progress has the prime minister made towards meeting his five pledges?
2024: The IfG’s five resolutions for doing government – and opposition – better
IfG experts set out five key asks for the government and opposition.
2023: The Institute for Government’s Year in Review
2023 was another busy year for the IfG.
A message to Jeremy Hunt: calling off the budget would be good for government
Two fiscal events are tempting for chancellors but bad for government.
David Cameron appointment shows the benefits – and downsides – of reviving ministerial careers
The government and parliament still need to find a way to fill the accountability gap.
The local government finance settlement is unlikely to end council ‘bankruptcies’
Both the government and the Labour opposition should be prepared to explain how they plan to address crumbling local authority finances.