Research and analysis
We examine the questions that matter most for effective government.
Explore our research and analysis
Burnham can’t take the politics out of social care reform
The new PM will have to prioritise to make progress on social care during this parliament.
Six things we learned from Andy Burnham’s government formation
What do Andy Burnham’s cabinet choices reveal about the priorities and direction of his new government?
Payroll vote
The 'payroll vote' is the body of MPs who hold offices that require them to support the government.
Parliamentary private secretaries
A parliamentary private secretary (PPS) is an MP who serves as an unpaid assistant to a government minister.
The industrial strategy – and what Andy Burnham should do about it
How does the industrial strategy fit with the prime minister’s re-industrialisation and devolution aims?
The government must focus on public protection when it comes to prison releases
There are no easy answers to meeting the prison capacity challenge.
Demolishing DSIT risks losing focus, expertise and coordination
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology made sense.
He wants to be adored – Burnham’s people-pleasing policy debut
The Manchester Mill's Joshi Herrmann joins the podcast team to explore Andy Burnham's first week as prime minister.
Law officers
There are three UK government law officers: the attorney general, the solicitor general and the advocate general.
The deputy prime minister and first secretary of state
What is the role of the deputy prime minister and the first secretary of state? And how do they differ?