Fantastic thread by @shaina-sangha.bsky.social on our two new reports out today 👇

Shaina Sangha@shaina-sangha.bsky.social · 3mo ago

TWO new @instituteforgovernment.org.uk reports out today from me, @nehaldavison.bsky.social, @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social and @emma-conway.bsky.social on early years policy and what's needed to ensure boys from low-income families are not left behind. 🧵 tinyurl.com/99pcyskh tinyurl.com/4bcbyyfz

Is the UK ungovernable? A question that the IfG has been asked a few times this week... So here's the official verdict from @drhannahwhite.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/is-u...

Is the UK ungovernable? | Institute for Government

Old problems and new challenges can be addressed by a government with the right ideas and commitment.

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Enjoyed chairing this in conversation event with @matthewpennycookmp.bsky.social on the govt’s leasehold reform plans. There’s clear ambition, but also some thorny questions to work through if reform is to succeed in practice. Check out the recording here: m.youtube.com/watch?v=WqCF...

A keynote speech by Matthew Pennycook MP, Minister for Housing and Planning

YouTube video by Institute for Government

m.youtube.com

Institute for Government@instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 4mo ago

Our A keynote speech by Matthew Pennycook MP, Minister for Housing and Planning event, will be starting in 10 minutes. Join us online and submit your questions via Slido: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/keynot...

Looking forward to being in conversation with Matthew Pennycook next Wednesday. Join in person or online!

Institute for Government@instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 5mo ago

EVENT | A keynote speech by Matthew Pennycook MP, Minister for Housing and Planning 📆Wednesday 29 April 2026, 14:30 — 15:30 Join us as Matthew Pennycook MP gives a speech on leasehold reform and the move to commonhold. The speech will be followed by an audience Q&A.

If you are an official making policy in a crisis - this new IfG report from @nehaldavison.bsky.social, @vimbai-dzimwasha.bsky.social and me looks at how different aspects of policymaking can be easier or harder in crisis with prompts to help consider some of the most common challenges 🧵

Institute for Government@instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 5mo ago

NEW | Policy making in a crisis: A civil servant’s guide What works in crisis policy making, what doesn’t and why. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

Really welcome to see the Chief Secretary to the Tsy framing productivity through the lens of cohorts - how to use the same money to improve outcomes for specific groups? This is a qu we’re exploring in policymaking for left-behind groups: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/our-work/top...

Institute for Government@instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 5mo ago

Our in conversation with James Murray MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, will be starting in 10 minutes. Join us online and submit your questions via Slido www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/james-...

also draws on forthcoming @instituteforgovernment.org.uk work on policy making in a crisis... thanks @nehaldavison.bsky.social @vimbai-dzimwasha.bsky.social for letting us have a sneak preview

Labour’s school improvement missions need more than a London Challenge revival. The success of place-based school improvement depends on learning the right lessons from past reforms, writes @emma-conway.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/article/comm...

Labour’s school improvement missions need more than a London Challenge revival | Institute for Government

Missions require more than just a “lift and shift” of previous government approaches

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Clearing the consultation sludge is welcome – but good policy still requires meaningful engagement. Plans to revisit impact assessments show the shift to ‘delivery’ shaping policy, write @vimbai-dzimwasha.bsky.social and @rosahodgkin.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/article/comm...

Clearing the consultation sludge is welcome – but good policy still requires meaningful engagement | Institute for Government

Reviewing the bureaucratic hurdles that slow down delivery is a sensible step

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

The view from the IfG: Government in 2026 Our programme directors will be joined by former presenter of the BBC’s Westminster Hour Carolyn Quinn, to discuss their vital work and their verdict on the government’s performance. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...

NEW report from @nehaldavison.bsky.social and I. Why have successive governments failed to tackle persistent inequalities in early years outcomes? We set out 5 systemic policy making failures that lead to some children being 'left behind'. 🧵⬇️ www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

Policy making blind spots | Institute for Government

The systemic policy-making failures that have contributed to a sharp ‘cliff-edge’ in attainment levels.

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

NEW IfG verdict on the child poverty strategy from me and @amberdellar.bsky.social A critical package for the govt, but it needs: - stronger powers/accountability in DWP to lead it - much more robust support for LAs - earlier monitoring/evaluation www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/chil...

Three things the government needs to do to make the child poverty strategy work | Institute for Government

The child poverty strategy is a concrete shift towards prevention but ministers must take action to implement it effectively.

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Really excited to share this new report today by me & @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social on the opportunity gap facing boys from low-income families at age 5 and beyond. Key findings 👇

Sophie Metcalfe@sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social · 10mo ago

NEW: Report from me and @nehaldavison.bsky.social on how and why boys from low-income families get left behind in their early years 🧵⬇️ www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

🎧🎧Listen now! Brilliant analysis of Starmer’s speech and the Labour conference with @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @cathhaddon.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social and guest @sophiestowers.bsky.social of @moreincommonuk.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...

Gloves off: Starmer v Reform | Institute for Government

Sophie Stowers of More in Common joins the IfG podcast team for instant reaction to the prime minister's speech in Liverpool.

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Institute for Government@instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 11mo ago

Recording a Labour Party Conference Inside Briefing special in Liverpool. Watch out for our instant reaction to Keir Starmer's #Lab25 speech with special guest @sophiestowers.bsky.social and the IfG's @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @cathhaddon.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social 👀🎧

Fantastic event on the Best Start in Life strategy with @speechandlanguk.bsky.social, Dingley’s Promise, @sarahronan.bsky.social and more. Lots of practical recommendations for building a more inclusive early years system.

The early years were missing from last month’s SR, but Labour’s Best Start in Life strategy shows they are still committed. Read @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social and my and my take on what it gets right - and what it’ll take to make it a reality. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/labo...

Labour’s Best Start in Life Strategy has got off to a good start – now comes the hard part | Institute for Government

The government’s early years strategy signals strong intent, but will require confident, careful steering to make it a reality.

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk spending review analysis is out! Take a read here www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/spen... Our key takeaways: 1/7

Spending review 2025: Six key things we learned from Rachel Reeves' announcement | Institute for Government

IfG experts set out the six things they learned from the spending review.

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Great thread from @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social on what the SR means for the early years and ambition to give children the “best start in life” 👇

Sophie Metcalfe@sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social · last yr.

This does not ease concerns that early years policy is poorly aligned with the government's stated long-term delivery priorities for the opportunities mission. More on this in my report with @nehaldavison.bsky.social here. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

Thanks to all the early years experts who’ve shared insights on the govt’s opportunity mission. Next up: boys eligible for free school meals – one of the most persistently left-behind groups. More here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/early-years-...

Closing the early years opportunity gap for boys eligible for free school meals | Institute for Government

Next steps for the IfG's work on school readiness.

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Great blog by @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social on the “trilemma” govt faces in adult social care: welcome overseas workers (ruled out this week), boost council funding (unlikely) or accept further decline in access and performance. 👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/adul...

Adult social care could be a victim of the government’s immigration white paper | Institute for Government

The immigration white paper makes it less likely that the government will improve performance in adult social care.

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

School absence has exploded, but it is preventable. Moira Wallace, first Director of Blair’s Social Exclusion Unit, tells the story of how they brought down record absence in the late 1990s & 2000s and sets out clear lessons for this govt. See 👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

Reducing school absence | Institute for Government

Learning from the last Labour government can help Keir Starmer reduce school absence.

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Latest from me on the govt’s ambition to ensure all children are ‘school ready’ 👇

Institute for Government@instituteforgovernment.org.uk · last yr.

Will the government-backed ‘starting reception’ guide help school readiness? A new checklist to help parents prepare their child for reception is useful – but must be part of a broader package of support, says @nehaldavison.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...

Want to know what the chancellor's announcements mean? Follow the @instituteforgov.bsky.social top public finances team of @gemmatetlow.bsky.social, @tompope.bsky.social and @danhaile.bsky.social!

📣Calling all early years experts and practitioners! Our NEW report reveals which groups of children are most at risk of not being ‘school ready’ - based on the most comprehensive analysis of publicly available data to date. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

Policy making for left-behind groups: School readiness | Institute for Government

How can government start closing the opportunity gap in early years education?

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

NEW report from me and @nehaldavison.bsky.social on school readiness: - Who is most at risk of not being school ready? - What does this mean for the govt's opportunities mission? Is the target for 75% of children to be 'school ready' helpful? 🧵⬇️ www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

Policy making for left-behind groups: School readiness | Institute for Government

How can government start closing the opportunity gap in early years education?

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

New paper from @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social & I exploring who is at greatest risk of not being ‘school ready’ and what this means for the govts Opportunity Mission. Report 👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/... and write up in the @theipaper.com

Policy making for left-behind groups: School readiness | Institute for Government

How can government start closing the opportunity gap in early years education?

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Sam Macrory@sammacrory.bsky.social · last yr.

NEW: Fascinating new @instituteforgov.bsky.social report on school readiness What is the impact of gov's target - for 75% of 5 year-olds to be ‘school ready’ by end of the parliament - on its "break down barriers to opportunity’ mission? Full @theipaper.com write up: inews.co.uk/news/educati...

A very big week for @instituteforgov.bsky.social and our Inside Briefing pod. We’re recording in Hull now and our instalment featuring the PM will land in your podcast feeds tonight.

Institute for Government@instituteforgovernment.org.uk · last yr.

We’ve just recorded this week’s Inside Briefing - with the prime minister joining us following today’s speech in Yorkshire. @drhannahwhite.bsky.social’s interview with Keir Starmer will be landing in your podcast feeds tonight www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/our-podcasts...

Calling all UK policy professionals (past and present) who have had to provide rapid advice to ministers under pressure. Fill in our survey 👇 to help us develop new tools that support policymakers to deliver rapid yet robust advice and give policies the best chance of success!

Teodor Grama@teodorgrama.bsky.social · 2y ago

📢Calling all UK policy officials! Have you ever had to provide policy advice under pressure – in a crisis or in response to breaking news? We at the @instituteforgov.bsky.social want to hear from you! Fill out our survey (open until 14 Feb) to share your insights: bit.ly/3Ek2KoM!

📢Calling all UK policy officials! Have you ever had to provide policy advice under pressure – in a crisis or in response to breaking news? We at the @instituteforgov.bsky.social want to hear from you! Fill out our survey (open until 14 Feb) to share your insights: bit.ly/3Ek2KoM!

TOMORROW: How can the government accelerate its clean power mission? Don't miss our event exploring Labour's progress on decarbonising power by 2030 and the potential pitfalls. @rosahodgkin.bsky.social @chrisstark.bsky.social @dharavyas.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...