Working to make government more effective

Police car overtaking an ambulance

Public services

We examine the performance of public services and make proposals about how they can improve.

The NHS, social care, criminal justice, education and neighbourhood services are key priorities for any government. Our research, events and commentary analyse changes to funding and demand for public services, and the impact of government policies on their performance and on the workforce that delivers them.  

We assess how the performance of public services varies between different parts of the country, identify examples of good practice, and consider why some innovations have worked and other have not, making recommendations for improvement.

We also publish a regular blog ('Week in Public Services') summarising the latest data and developments in health and care, education, criminal justice, and local government.

Austerity postponed? The impact of Labour’s first budget on public services

Rachel Reeves' budget starts to address poor performance – but a lot is riding on next year’s spending review.

Read the report
Rachel Reeves outside No.11 Downing Street holding the budget case ahead of her first budget as chancellor.

IfG public services conference

A special one-day conference to discuss the cross-cutting issues facing public services with speakers including Michael Gove and Lord Blunkett.

Watch online
Michael Gove on stage at the Institute for Government.