Public body deep dives
We look at how specific public bodies are configured, how they are performing, and what problems they face.
Explainers
Office for Students
The Office for Students (OfS) is the independent regulator of higher education in England.
UK Health Security Agency
What is the UK Health Security Agency (UKSHA)? What does it do? How is it organised?
Financial Reporting Council
What is the Financial Reporting Council? What does it do? What powers does it have?
Ofwat
Ofwat is the economic regulator for the water and sewage sectors in England and Wales. But how does it work?
Competition and Markets Authority
The Competition and Markets Authority is the UK’s principal authority responsible for competition and consumer protection.
Insights and comments
How could Ofsted and the Department for Education reform school inspections in England?
The new chief inspector will need better support from ministers to reform Ofsted.
Getting Great British Railways on track
The government’s proposed rail reforms lack sufficient detail to guarantee success.
DVLA during the pandemic: hamstrung by competing priorities
The UK and devolved governments must make complex trade-offs more collaboratively or risk a repeat of DVLA’s pandemic troubles elsewhere.
Setting a new direction for the Information Commissioner's Office
This readout summarises a private roundtable organised at the request of DCMS, to support its consultation Data: A new direction.
Regulatory policy scrutiny: independent advice to government
RPC Chair Michael Gibbons CBE reflects on the RPC’s impact to date and where it needs to go next.
The Office for Students needs support to assert its independence
If ministers are serious about higher education, they should take on board the recommendations of the recent Lords inquiry into the OfS.
Events
A keynote speech on climate change and resilience by Sir James Bevan, Environment Agency Chief Executive
In a keynote address at the IfG, Sir James Bevan discussed the bold action needed to meet current and future environmental challenges faced by the UK.
In conversation with Dame Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency
The Institute for Government was delighted to welcome Dame Dr Jenny Harries OBE, Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency.
Setting up a new government agency: The case of the Competition and Markets Authority
Alex Chisholm shared his experience of leading the CMA through its start-up phase.
The death of the Audit Commission and other improvement agencies
Event to mark the publication of a new study about how improvement agencies rise and fall.
A briefing on the energy market with Jonathan Brearley, Ofgem's Chief Executive Officer
Jonathan Brearley, Ofgem’s CEO, gave a briefing on the energy market, energy bills and what the coming year will mean for consumers.
Rail reform: making Great British Railways work for the next generation
This event will explore how to make a reformed rail network work for Great Britain’s long-term post-pandemic future, drawing on lessons from previous