Working to make government more effective

Working to make government more effective

Rishi Sunak's cabinet

Support for ministers

We offer bespoke, confidential and free workshops for individual ministers and wider ministerial teams.

How can a newly appointed minister hit the ground running, and make the most of their time in office? How can they make sure the government machine is working to deliver their priorities?

Most ministers do not have much time to think about these questions. The job immediately takes over and it is not easy to reflect on how they are doing it and how they could improve.

But there are practical steps ministers can take to help them deliver their priorities and work effectively with both their own and other departments. The IfG offers free, bespoke, confidential workshops for individual ministers and wider ministerial teams, tailored to the specific interests or priorities of attendees. In recent years, ministers from a wide variety of departments have benefited from such sessions, ranging in focus from working effectively with your private office or the wider civil service, to operating better as a ministerial team, and beyond. You can find out more about our work below or get in touch via ifgacademy@instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Getting things done in government

Key lessons from former ministers on how to be effective in government.

Read the report
A rooftop view of Whitehall with the Houses of Parliament in the distance

Quick guides for ministers

23 OCT 2023 'How to' guide

Working with Number 10

A good relationship with Number 10 is key to being a successful minister.

06 DEC 2022 'How to' guide

Making decisions in government

What are the key decision-making processes in government, and how can you ensure you get what you need to?

06 DEC 2022

Leading a ministerial team

As a new secretary of state, how will you lead your ministerial team? Find out how other have done it.

Becoming a minister

What is it really like entering ministerial office? How does the first day/week/month unfold? Here you can read about the reality of the role and find out how to hit the ground running:

12 JUN 2019 Report

Becoming prime minister

Conservative MPs who want to become Prime Minister must face the practical challenges of being head of government. 

19 JUL 2019 Report

Becoming secretary of state

MPs with ambitions of being put in charge of a department must prepare, plan and set priorities now if they want to make an impact.

26 JUN 2020 Report

Becoming a Lords minister

The way that Lords ministers approach the role, and the support they are given to undertake it, can be very different from their Commons counterparts.

IfG Academy team