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.
Carillion collapse highlights the need to change the way we manage public services
A future with no private sector involvement in delivering publicly-funded services is hard to imagine.
What does the Government think about the economics of Brexit?
The government should publish its economic assessments of Brexit to ensure that the Cabinet, Parliament and the public can make an informed decision.
Carillion collapse shows weakness of public vs private finance debate
Government must build the evidence to understand when private finance provides better value for money than public spending.
Government still lacks a strategic approach to research
Departments need to develop more comprehensive strategies for accessing the evidence and research they need.
The Brexit eclipse
The biggest mistake the Government can make is to let Brexit dominate everything.
An early transition deal won’t avoid the Brexit cliff edge
A transition of two years or so will buy important time, but the Brexit cliffs will quickly come back in to view.
Parliament must help public inquiries deliver change
Parliament must play its part and ensure that the millions spent on inquiries are not wasted by holding the Government to account.
Why the Office for Students needs to show its independence
What matters is how the Office for Students board collectively performs and that it shows its independence from government.
Single Departmental Plans have improved but they need to go further
More focused priorities would allow departments to use their resources more effectively and allow Parliament and the public to hold them accountable.
It’s time to put the National Infrastructure Commission on a statutory footing
The resignation of Lord Adonis as Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission shows it’s time to put it on a statutory footing, argues Nick Davies