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.
Mark Fullbrook’s No10 arrangement exposes problems with special adviser recruitment
The system for recruiting special advisers is broken and needs to change
Kwarteng and Truss show the perils of disregarding economic institutions
Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng must respond to their miscalculations by recognising that the UK’s economic institutions are vital national assets
Liz Truss is breaking with more than ‘economic orthodoxy’
Liz Truss' approach to government also reflects a change from accepted norms of good government
Kwasi Kwarteng’s new era of economic policy is a major gamble
On tax in particular, the chancellor has chosen cuts to headline rates rather than grasping the nettle on big tax reform.
Thérèse Coffey’s plan does not do enough to support the NHS and social care
Thérèse Coffey’s “Our Plan for Patients” will not save the NHS or social care from the coming winter crisis
Blocking OBR forecasts undermines the credibility of Liz Truss’s economic plans
The new prime minister and chancellor should stand up for the Official for Budget Responsibility instead of blocking the publication of its forecasts
What the Queen’s reign teaches the civil service
The way the Queen did her duty has lessons for the civil service
King Charles III and his ministers
King Charles III is already showing that he wants to put his own stamp on the part he plays in UK government.
Liz Truss must remember that governing well is about more than winning elections
The steps that Liz Truss should take to switch from campaigning successfully to governing effectively
The Cabinet Office must do more to prove its commitment to better FoI handling
Cabinet Office must do more to show its commitment to FoI openness