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.
Accident prevention in government
Recent accident-proneness in government has led the commentariat to come out with prescriptions to help the coalition perform better.
They may have King Kenny, but would Liverpool want an elected mayor?
Andrew Adonis continues his tour of the twelve cities that could have elected mayors and heard how Liverpool is responding.
Power to the people
The government's promise to "turn government on its head" is being put into practice through reforms to the NHS and other public services.
How long does it take to make a tax policy?
Next time the Treasury invites public input, it needs to give them a real deadline to enable their ideas to be examined seriously.
A good governance framework for civil service reform is easier said than done
The Public Administration Select Committee (PASC) is attempting to establish a good governance framework to scrutinise civil service reform.
Would an elected mayor change Birmingham and Coventry for the better?
On the second leg of my tour of the 12 cities holding referenda to decide whether to have an elected mayor, I travelled to Birmingham and Coventry.
Forming the government: the lessons from May 2010
The formation of the Conservative / Liberal Democrat Coalition government has forced a review of the conventions of a hung parliament.
The end of the beginning for the Big Society
It's been a bad week for the Big Society, says Adrian Brown.
Payment by results in public services
Public Accounts Committee: from bear pit to forensic forum
When a government embarks upon a programme of rapid and radical change the case for strong independent scrutiny becomes much more important.