Coronavirus
We looked at the impact of the pandemic on government and public services and analysed the government’s response.
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Managing extreme risks
The government has failed to learn from the Covid pandemic: the new administration must take action to ensure the UK is better prepared next time.
Tackling Covid-19 over the long term
A weak and fragmented global response risks extending and worsening the Covid-19 pandemic.
In conversation with Professor Neil Ferguson
Neil Ferguson discussed the lessons he has learned about advising government and the role of scientific modelling in informing decision making.
Covid-19 public inquiry
Covid inquiry – live blog
IfG experts will be regularly posting in this live blog to track and react to the key developments of the second module of the Covid inquiry.
The Covid-19 Inquiry
What is the Covid-19 inquiry? What powers does it have? What is its purpose and scope?
The coronavirus inquiry
Boris Johnson should establish his promised public inquiry into the government’s handling of coronavirus in May.
George Osborne’s Treasury could have done more to prepare for the pandemic
The former chancellor appeared at the Covid Inquiry this week to defend his record in the years leading up to the pandemic.
The government faces an uphill battle in its judicial review of Covid inquiry WhatsApps
The likelihood is that the court will say the chair should be the one to decide how she goes about the inquiry, and what material she needs to see.
The Covid Inquiry’s chair must have freedom to go where the evidence takes her
The Covid inquiry chair must take control of her work by agreeing the terms of reference and focusing on the most important government decisions
Covid and the economy
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Rishi Sunak’s Job Support Scheme fixes deficiencies with his previous post-furlough scheme plan but will almost certainly waste taxpayers’ money by pr
Lord Agnew is right: Covid support write-offs merit more resources
Debt incurred should be pursued – no matter if the loan was agreed during a crisis.
Coronavirus: what support did government provide for individuals and businesses?
This explainer lays out the main economic support schemes provided by the UK government during the pandemic, how much they cost and who benefited.
Covid and the civil service
Responding to shocks: 10 lessons for government
10 lessons that government should learn from its handling of the Covid crisis.
Science advice in a crisis
Ministers must improve the way they use and communicate science advice or risk repeating mistakes made during the coronavirus crisis.
Covid and public services
How fit were public services for coronavirus?
Failures in planning and funding cuts meant public services were not well prepared to handle the coronavirus crisis.
Schools and coronavirus
The government's failure to make contingency plans for schools is the most “unforgiveable aspect” of its handling of education during Covid.
Covid Tests: Schools and exams in 2022 and beyond
With exams returning in 2022, the Department for Education and Ofqual face difficult decisions about grading, fairness and restoring confidence in the
Performance Tracker 2022
Public services won’t have returned to pre-pandemic performance by the next election.
Our events on coronavirus
In conversation with Rt Hon Thérèse Coffey MP
Former deputy prime minister, health secretary and environment secretary Thérèse Coffey joined us to reflect on her nine years as government minister.
How is WhatsApp changing government?
Emily Walch, former SpAd to Vince Cable, Matt Warman and Henry Zeffman from The Times joined us to discuss the use of WhatsApp in government.
How can government deliver its priorities while preparing for future shocks?
Alex Chisholm and Dame Meg Hillier MP discussed the Chair of the PAC’s Annual Report.
What lessons should the Treasury learn from the pandemic?
This event discussed the findings of a new IfG report on how the Treasury designed and implemented economic support schemes during Covid.
Our coronavirus team
Emma Norris
Deputy Director