Public services
We examine the performance of public services and make proposals about how they can improve.
Performance Tracker 2023
Our flagship report assesses the comparative, and in many cases interconnected, problems faced by critical public services such as the NHS, schools and the police.
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Public service performance
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The NHS productivity puzzle
The NHS crisis will only be solved with capital investment, increasing management capacity and staff retention – not just more doctors and nurses.
What does the autumn statement mean for public services?
The autumn statement's impact on public services may be politically unsustainable.
Public sector strikes
Pay review bodies
Pay review bodies are independent panels that gather evidence and then provide government with advice each year on pay for many public sector workers.
Rishi Sunak’s public sector pay offer makes sense but is unlikely to stop the strikes
The government appears to have made a breakthrough in ongoing public sector pay disputes, but big questions remain over where the money will be found.
‘Health week’ can’t hide slow progress on Rishi Sunak’s NHS pledge
While some waiting time data is moving in the right direction, the prime minister is still some way off meeting his NHS pledge.
Striking images: What caused the NHS crisis and can it be fixed?
Is there any way to fix the NHS crisis? Rachel Sylvester and Rachel Wolf join on this special episode of Inside Briefing.
Explore by public service
Health and care
Our research assesses the performance of health and care services and how to improve them.
Criminal justice
Our research assesses the performance of criminal justice services and how to improve them.
Schools
Our research assesses the performance of education services and how to improve them.
Local government
Our research assesses the performance of local government services and how to improve them.
Improving public services
'Austerity' in public services: lessons from the 2010s
Jeremy Hunt is right to delay his fiscal statement – but should not rush into a new austerity programme.
Outcome delivery plans
Keeping outcome delivery plans will help Liz Truss achieve her government's goals.
Using targets to improve public services
Government targets in public services may do more harm than good.
Recent events
Government 2024: IfG's annual conference
The IfG will bring together influential speakers and experts to explore the key questions for government in 2024.
How can the government improve public service productivity?
The first of our Productivity Pitches, a new event series organised jointly with The Productivity Institute.
In conversation with Sir Mark Rowley, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service
Sir Mark Rowley joined us to discuss the future of the Metropolitan Police Service.
Our public services team
Nick Davies
Programme Director
Performance Tracker 2023
Stuart Hoddinott
Senior Researcher
The government has abdicated responsibility for public services
Thomas Pope
Deputy Chief Economist
Performance Tracker 2023: Cross-service analysis
Philip Nye
Data Scientist