As AI becomes increasingly embedded in #PublicServices, how do we measure its impact beyond efficiency/cost savings? New BRAID blog! @drdarcyluke.bsky.social explores, & considers how impact assessment could support #ResponsibleAI adoption & better outcomes for the public braiduk.org/learning-les...

How can we better measure the social value of AI? Learning lessons for UK public services

Efficiency savings. Productivity gains. Headcount reduction. This is the language commonly used to describe the proposed economic benefits artificial intelligence (AI) will bring.This commerci

braiduk.org

A short piece for the @braiduk.bsky.social blog introducing my research assessing the social impacts of AI systems & infrastructures in the UK. We will be focusing on the sometimes overlooked social consequences of AI, foregrounding community voices to do so. braiduk.org/learning-les...

How can we better measure the social value of AI? Learning lessons for UK public services

Efficiency savings. Productivity gains. Headcount reduction. This is the language commonly used to describe the proposed economic benefits artificial intelligence (AI) will bring.This commerci

braiduk.org

Short piece for @theconversation.com with @nathancritch.bsky.social. We explore what the Mandelson vetting controversy can tell us about issues of political accountability and the role of independent scrutiny in UK governance. theconversation.com/mandelson-ve...

Nathan Critch@nathancritch.bsky.social · 4mo ago

New piece with @drdarcyluke.bsky.social in @theconversation.com on the Mandelson vetting scandal and what it reveals about Whitehall’s deeper accountability failures and toxic mix of weak scrutiny and unclear political responsibility. 🔗 theconversation.com/mandelson-ve...

New piece with @drdarcyluke.bsky.social in @theconversation.com on the Mandelson vetting scandal and what it reveals about Whitehall’s deeper accountability failures and toxic mix of weak scrutiny and unclear political responsibility. 🔗 theconversation.com/mandelson-ve...

Mandelson vetting scandal: why Whitehall is the worst of all worlds when it comes to accountability

Behind speculation around Starmer’s future stands a deeper set of constitutional questions regarding accountability and standards in public life.

theconversation.com

After news that OpenAI has signed a deal to use AI to increase productivity in the UK's public services, what do we know about Labour’s AI policy plan? And importantly, will it work? By @nathancritch.bsky.social & @drdarcyluke.bsky.social politicalquarterly.org.uk/blog/what-do...

Another new piece out on UK governance reform with @drdarcyluke.bsky.social. This time, we assess recent commentary on Whitehall culture and ask whether this is really the root of the British state's deep problems. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

Treating the Symptoms, Not the Causes: What's Wrong with Demos's Report The Human Handbrake: How Whitehall Culture Holds Back Public Service Reform

A litany of think tank reports has critiqued Whitehall's ability to deliver policy. The latest—by Demos—locates the roots of Britain's governance woes in Whitehall's political culture. Drawing on pub...

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

AI policy is central to Labour’s agenda at all levels. But there is reason to be sceptical of their techno-solutionist approach. By @nathancritch.bsky.social & @drdarcyluke.bsky.social

What do we Know About Labour’s AI Policy, and will it Work?

There is reason to be sceptical of Labour’s techno-solutionist approach.

politicalquarterly.org.uk

Short piece on the Budget for @productivity.bsky.social In summary, a water-treading, short-termist and incremental Budget. A missed opportunity for more substantial measures that might drive productivity & growth.

The Productivity Institute@productivity.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Following yesterday’s Budget, TPI’s @andywestwood.bsky.social @profdaverichards.bsky.social @drdarcyluke.bsky.social @samwarner.bsky.social and Patrick Diamond share insights on the government’s approach to growth and productivity. Read more: bit.ly/3JVRkLi

After news that OpenAI has signed a deal to use AI to increase productivity in the UK's public services, what do we know about Labour’s AI policy plan? And importantly, will it work? By @nathancritch.bsky.social & @drdarcyluke.bsky.social politicalquarterly.org.uk/blog/what-do...

Pleased to have this piece out in @politicalquarterly.bsky.social. @nathancritch.bsky.social & I place Labour's ambitions for AI in the context of nearly a decade of AI policies to critically engage with the increasingly 'techno-solutionist' hype around AI. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

A Critical Appraisal of Labour's AI Agenda

This article critically evaluates Labour's ambitious AI agenda, situating it within the historical trajectory of UK AI policy and the techno-solutionist assumptions underpinning current strategies. W....

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Pleased to see evidence submitted with @nathancritch.bsky.social, Patrick Diamond, @profdaverichards.bsky.social, @samwarner.bsky.social & @andywestwood.bsky.social was referenced in the 7th Report on Industrial Strategy by the Business & Trade Committee. publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cm...

A short piece on the Spending Review written for the @productivity.bsky.social with my colleagues @nathancritch.bsky.social, @profdaverichards.bsky.social, @samwarner.bsky.social, @andywestwood.bsky.social & Patrick Diamond. www.productivity.ac.uk/news/from-a-...

From a fragile to an agile state: is the Spending Review enough to enable the Starmer government to deliver on its growth mission? - The Productivity Institute

The 2025 Spending Review set out major capital spending, but will it be enough to boost productivity growth?

productivity.ac.uk

Written evidence from @nathancritch.bsky.social, @profdaverichards.bsky.social, @samwarner.bsky.social, @andywestwood.bsky.social, Patrick Diamond and myself to Business & Trade Committee inquiry on Industrial Strategy has been published You can read here: committees.parliament.uk/work/8882/in...

Industrial Strategy - Written evidence - Committees - UK Parliament

Written evidence submission publications for Industrial Strategy.

committees.parliament.uk

Is Labour doing enough to address the deep-seated problems with the British state? @nathancritch.bsky.social, Patrick Diamond, Darcy Luke, @profdaverichards.bsky.social, @samwarner.bsky.social, and @andywestwood.bsky.social discuss the government's approach to institutional reform

Will Labour's Governance Approach Lead to Mission Success or Mission Failure?

Abstract Since coming to power in July 2024, the Starmer government’s approach to reform has rhetorically focussed on the centralised, short-term, and fragmented nature of British policymaking and th...

renewal.org.uk

Very pleased to have this piece, co-authored with @nathancritch.bsky.social, Patrick Diamond, @profdaverichards.bsky.social, Sam Warner & @andywestwood.bsky.social, in @renewaljournal.bsky.social. renewal.org.uk/blog/will-la...

Will Labour's Governance Approach Lead to Mission Success or Mission Failure?

Abstract Since coming to power in July 2024, the Starmer government’s approach to reform has rhetorically focussed on the centralised, short-term, and fragmented nature of British policymaking and th...

renewal.org.uk

Pleased @lsepoliticsblog.bsky.social have published this piece on the Spring Statement co-written with @nathancritch.bsky.social, @samwarner.bsky.social & David Richards. We argue the Spring Statement signals a return of Treasury orthodoxy which may undermine Labour's bolder plans for change.

LSE British Politics and Policy@lsepoliticsblog.bsky.social · last yr.

Rachel Reeves' Spring Statement seems to be a continuity of Treasury fiscal conservatism, guided by short-term economic projections rather than a long-term vision, argue @nathancritch.bsky.social, @drdarcyluke.bsky.social, David Richards and @samwarner.bsky.social. blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandp...

New blog piece contextualising Labour's approach to AI in light of the Paris AI summit. @nathancritch.bsky.social and I argue that the UK is plotting it's own course on AI regulation as part of an ambitious domestic agenda for AI. Thanks to @mileendinstitute.bsky.social for publishing!

Mile End Institute@mileendinstitute.bsky.social · last yr.

🖋️NEW #MEIBlog🖋️ After the UK followed the US in not signing the Paris Summit Declaration on AI, @nathancritch.bsky.social and @drdarcyluke.bsky.social consider what the Government's #AI strategy tells us about its 'number one mission' to generate economic growth. 🔗 www.qmul.ac.uk/mei/news-and...

A short piece I was asked to put together on the devolution deal for Cheshire & Warrington. Very happy to be given the opportunity to write for a local paper that is doing great work reporting on important local issues. www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/2493409...

New paper out yesterday in Parliamentary Affairs, examining 14 years of Conservative party statecraft and its interplay between an idea of modernization and a more hardline Thatcherite English Toryism therein academic.oup.com/pa/advance-a...

Slow burn: Re-examining the legacy of Conservative Party modernization

Abstract. This article reconsiders the longer-term legacy of David Cameron’s attempts to ‘modernize’ the Conservative Party. In doing so, we aim to make th

academic.oup.com

Excellent work on devolution from the folks at Labour Together. The legitimacy (or lack thereof) of governing institutions is a key issue facing contemporary democracies. That's why perceptions matter. As such, it's great to see bespoke polling being done to address vital research questions.

JP Spencer@jpspencer.bsky.social · 2y ago

📣 New report and research 📣 We’ve published ‘Mayoral Matters’ looking at public attitudes to mayors and devolution in the parts of England which have actually experienced it. www.labourtogether.uk/all-reports/... 🧵 below with my five takeaways. [1/10]

Industrial strategies have come & gone so often that it's easy to be cynical. That said, in a recent piece with Nathan Critch for the @productivity.bsky.social we look at Labour's 'Invest 2035' Green Paper and find reasons to be (cautiously) cheerful! www.productivity.ac.uk/news/an-end-...

An end to the policy ‘merry-go-round’? Labour’s new industrial strategy and the pathologies of British policymaking - The Productivity Institute

What does Labour's industrial strategy tell us about long-term policymaking?

productivity.ac.uk

Pouring out a pint of ale today for John. I think that politics sorely needs more Prescotts. RIP to a real one. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

John Prescott, British former deputy prime minister, dies aged 86

Former trade union activist who had Alzheimer's died peacefully at care home, says family

theguardian.com

Jonathan Ashworth, in his Inside Labour newsletter, points out that @labouruk.bsky.social has allocated the largest sum of money ever to protect sustainable food production. That's £5bn to the #farming budget. £60m for farmers who suffered from severe flooding (1/4)

And nor should there be. I'm not really a fan of folks using the issue of food inflation/security to attempt to blackmail their way out of rightfully paying inheritance tax. The government is right to stand firm in response to these hysterics. www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/rachel...

Rachel Reeves Tells Farmers There Will Be No U-Turn On Inheritance Tax Changes

Thousands are expected to protest against the chancellor's Budget.

huffingtonpost.co.uk

A bit late, but seeing as I'm new on the platform I thought I'd post my latest blog on Port Talbot for the @mileendinstitute.bsky.social We explore policy implications of the closure, touching on some of the issues still facing devolved administrations. www.qmul.ac.uk/mei/news-and...