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.
The Office for Value for Money has been a success
In its short lifetime the OfVM made valuable proposals for change.
David Lammy’s proposals for judge-only trials would make England and Wales an outlier
Most countries don’t use jury trials, but few rely on a single judge to pass both verdict and sentence
New funding plans will give mayors more autonomy to boost growth
Longer-term funding arrangements are a welcome step towards deepening English devolution.
Autumn budget 2025: What did we learn from Rachel Reeves’ announcements?
IfG experts review the key things we learnt from the 2025 budget.
Five things we learned from the UK Covid-19 Inquiry report on Module II
What does the report tell us about governance and decision making by ministers and the civil service during the pandemic?
What are the legal implications of Labour’s new asylum reforms?
Some of the government’s proposals are thin on details, others are likely to be tested in the courts.
Rachel Reeves’s budget 2025: The IfG’s six things to look out for
What can we expect from the chancellor’s second budget?
Abolishing police and crime commissioners now is putting the cart before the horse
The benefits of new ‘policing boards’ over police and crime commissioners are far from clear.
Empty classrooms present government with a challenge and an opportunity
The government needs to show strategic direction on school places.
Public sector pensions reforms should focus on workforce recruitment and retention
There is a strong case for looking at reforms to public sector pensions.