Alex Thomas
Programme Director
Alex's recent work
Liz Truss blaming the deep state is an excuse for failure
Liz Truss's deep state delusions are undermining any serious argument she might make.
The PCS challenge on arms sales to Israel shows the strengths and limits of civil service unions
Civil service unions have a particular responsibility to show restraint on political activity.
Declining fast stream applications are a warning sign for the civil service
The fast stream is one of the UK’s best graduate schemes.
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The Sue Gray ACOBA saga must lead to better rules around government exits
Lessons need to be learned after the saga over Sue Gray's move to become Keir Starmer's chief of staff.
Lessons from the Darlington Economic Campus for civil service relocation
Ministers shouldn’t see civil service relocation as a primary tool for reducing regional economic inequality.
Appointed on merit: the value of an impartial civil service
Impartiality is of most value to UK government. But there is no legitimacy for an impartial civil service other than its effectiveness.
Raab’s resignation should lead to reform of the complaints process against ministers
The review of complaints against the former justice secretary exposes deep flaws in how the government deals with poor ministerial behaviour.
Keir Starmer’s job offer to Sue Gray causes a civil service headache
Sue Gray's move to become Keir Starmer's chief of staff could cause difficulties for the civil service.
Five ways Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has changed UK government
A year after Vladimir Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine, five IfG experts examine the impact of the war on the UK
Government redesigns like Rishi Sunak’s would be helped by consistency across Whitehall
One of the reasons ‘machinery of government’ changes are so disruptive is that departmental systems are conflicting and incompatible.
Whitehall Monitor 2023: Overview
This edition of Whitehall Monitor assesses the change, performance and priorities of the civil service.
Whitehall Monitor 2023: Methodology
How we produced our analysis for Whitehall Monitor 2023.
Whitehall Monitor 2023 (Conclusion): The year ahead
The ways in which the civil service should change to better serve the UK in 2023 and beyond.