Working to make government more effective

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.

Public Services Performance Tracker 2025

The government has large ambitions for public services. But with patchy progress since the election, it needs to get a grip to make a success of its reforms and deliver promised improvements. Read our annual stocktake on the state of nine key services.

Read the report
A children's social care building in disrepair

Our recent analysis

Improving public services

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Our recent comments

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Capital investment

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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.

How successfully have Labour run public services?

An expert panel presents the key findings the IfG's annual Performance Tracker.

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From left to right: Nick Davies, Cassia Rowland and Stephen Bush

Public sector workforce

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Upcoming and recent events

Our public services team