There's been an interesting debate about whether mayors could (and should) be able to provide rebates with assigned revenue. This from @jacktshaw.bsky.social is the best summary I've seen of the current legal position jackshaw.substack.com/p/can-and-sh... Some thoughts on the merits 🧵1/12

Can — and should — mayors be allowed to offer tax rebates?

debates over tax rebates are fiscal policy, but also the political differences that greater devolution will create — and what they mean for the relationship between Whitehall and strategic authorities

jackshaw.substack.com

And here is my piece for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk elaborating a bit on these initial reflections www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/andy...

Andy Burnham’s devolution announcement is a strong start on his priority agenda | Institute for Government

Changes on tax, new powers and institutions show Burnham means business.

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Thomas Pope@tompope.bsky.social · 5d ago

Some thoughts on the government's devo announcement today: Overall, this is a great start on the govt's flagship agenda 1/

Really great it looks like government is going further on devolving employment support. It's a big opportunity to join-up services, tailor support locally, improve engagement and innovate. Flexible funding will be key to this (and should help areas streamline the current patchwork of programmes)

Stuart Hoddinott@stuarthoddinott.bsky.social · 5d ago

Details on some of the first services they intend to devolve power for, including employment support. A big win for @drbenpaxton.bsky.social and @martha-ford.bsky.social who recommended exactly that in their recent paper on the topic www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

Some thoughts on the government's devo announcement today: Overall, this is a great start on the govt's flagship agenda 1/

Rewiring the State – Cabinet Statement (HTML)

gov.uk

The government's cabinet statement on devolution is out and it goes further than what was trailed overnight. Some initial thoughts 👇🧵 www.gov.uk/government/p...

Rewiring the State – Cabinet Statement (HTML)

gov.uk

This is a genuinely exciting announcement about Burnham's intention for public service reform There are some potentially massive changes to the way that services are funded and operate A few things that jumped out at me 👇 www.gov.uk/government/p...

Rewiring the State – Cabinet Statement (HTML)

gov.uk

If you think this one looks complex... the reality is now even more complex than that...

Duncan Weldon@duncanweldon.bsky.social · 5d ago

Once again find myself thinking about this IfG map.

It's a big day for devo nerds. With reports of new powers making headlines and the GMCA by-election results also landing. But as Matthew sets out below, delivering on Burnham's ambitions will require some careful thinking about how to complete the devolution map 👇🗺️

Matthew Fright@matthewfright.bsky.social · 5d ago

A big devolution day with press reports suggesting fiscal devolution, greater powers and a new 'local first' principle trailed in the papers. But for Andy Burnham to truly spread 'good growth in every postcode' requires a complete English devolution map 🧵

One week in and Andy Burnham's government is up and running. So who are the new ministers and what do Burnham's appointments tell us about how he wants to run his govt? Here's our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk top 6 takeaways - with @rebeccamckee.bsky.social and @philipnye.bsky.social 🧵...

Six things we learned from Andy Burnham’s government formation | Institute for Government

What do Andy Burnham’s cabinet choices reveal about the priorities and direction of his new government?

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

EVENT | Andy Burnham: How is the new prime minister changing the direction of government? 📅Thursday 30 July 2026, 13:00-13:50 Join us online as an expert panel assesses Andy Burnham's early decisions, his key appointments, and the way he is approaching the job of prime minister.

With everyone looking for clues for how the new PM may govern and what further devolution may look like, the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk DevoLab series features 18 case studies of how devolved powers and funding have been used across six policy areas, in 10 mayoral regions.

New announcement on machinery of government changes today including moving local growth and devo strategy from MHCLG and local economic growth from HMT into No 10 North Could be a great opportunity to get to grips properly with local growth funding slightly removed from all the usual incentives

Major machinery of govt changes including - finally! - the creation of an Office for the Prime Minister and Cabinet Long overdue and excellent news that the Burnham govt has grasped this nettle questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...

Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament

Information from UK Parliament on written questions & answers, written statements and daily reports.

questions-statements.parliament.uk

One question that’s come up a couple of times: where do Andy Burnham’s new cabinet represent as MPs? The north west has been the big gainer, with seven cabinet ministers holding seats there – of whom, five are in Greater Manchester

Burnham inherits a tricky fiscal situation. That may become tougher still, with a worsening forecast and expensive policy ambitions We argue that, while politically tricky, he should consider ditching Starmer and Reeves' tax lock pledge, which tied their hands More from us 👇

Institute for Government@instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 2w ago

Keir Starmer ducked the scale of the government’s fiscal challenges on entering office. Andy Burnham now has the opportunity to avoid making the same mistake, say @tompope.bsky.social, @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social and @drbenpaxton.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/burn...

NEW REPORT: how to make a success of SEND reform Government needs to get off the sidelines and build a SEND system that makes it easier for schools, councils and health services to work together. Our new report sets out how 🧵

Joining up SEND | Institute for Government

How to begin fixing SEND by making the system more joined-up.

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Quite here for No.10 North (if that's what we're calling it). Loads of pitfalls, and I think you do need to keep quite a lot of centre of gov in your capital city, but there is a v good version of this which moves out Burnham priorities. Have written down some ideas on how to make it work 👇

No.10 North: Burnham needs to be clear-eyed about the purpose of his Manchester office | Institute for Government

An overwhelmed 10 Downing Street could be improved by creating No.10 North.

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

EVENT | IfG DevoLab #6: How can mayors support a just climate transition? 📅Tuesday 14 July 2026, 17:30-19:00 Join us at the Institute for Government to explore how mayors and local leaders can use devolved powers to support a just climate transition.

Our DevoLab event in Sheffield next week couldn’t feel better timed. Devolution is firmly at the top of the agenda - and the momentum already building looks set to accelerate.

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

EVENT | IfG DevoLab #5: How can mayors and local leaders create a shared vision for regional growth? 📅Thursday 02 July 2026, 11:00-12:30 Join us in Sheffield to explore how mayors and local leaders can work together to create a shared vision for growth in their region.

10 years ago I was organising a barbecue for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk staff to watch the result of the referendum. The IfG had acted until then as though the EU did not exist. After the referendum we built a fantastic team which I had the privilege of leading for 2 years

Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as leader of the Labour Party. This means a Labour Party leadership contest will now take place. Our explainer sets out how a contest will work www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/la...

How do Labour Party leadership contests work? | Institute for Government

A Labour leadership election can only be triggered if the leader resigns, or if 20% of MPs nominate a challenger.

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Keir Starmer has announced his resignation, becoming the latest PM unable to see out a term in office But he won't stop being prime minister just yet - as the process to replace him gets underway Starmer will continue to man the ship as PM (but for how long depends on the Labour leadership contest)

DevoLab is heading to Sheffield. Join us on 2 July to explore how mayors and local leaders can create a shared vision for growth. The event brings together themes from across the series. We'll discuss not just what it takes to set a vision, but to embed it across a region and sustain it over time.

Institute for Government@instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 2mo ago

EVENT | IfG DevoLab #5: How can mayors and local leaders create a shared vision for regional growth? 📅Thursday 02 July 2026, 11:00-12:30 Join us in Sheffield to explore how mayors and local leaders can work together to create a shared vision for growth in their region.

John Healey becomes the 19th minister to resign from Keir Starmer's government. Here's a handy recap of all 19 and why they resigned. Read our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk explainer on ministerial resignations for more info! www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/mi...

The 12th July is just over a month away and the lead up starts weeks before. If the UK government and NI executive don't get a grip on this asap it will roll into July, and escalate in Northern Ireland. This is a real test of leadership for both.

Josiah Mortimer@josiahmortimer.bsky.social · 2mo ago

The PM has commented on X (eyeroll) re. the violence in Belfast last night, calling them "shocking and completely unacceptable." "There is no justification for the violence and disorder that we saw threatening our communities, nor for those who encouraged it, online or elsewhere." (cont.)

1/ I’ve set out why recent local election gains by opposition parties – especially Reform UK – could make it harder for Labour mayors in the North and Midlands to get things done. A quick thread 🧵

Institute for Government@instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 2mo ago

Reform UK’s local election gains pose new challenges for Labour mayors Fragmented local politics will make agreement harder to secure at the regional level and reshape how mayors govern, says @shawharriet.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/refo...

For anyone looking for something to listen to in the sun this weekend, do check out this podcast from my brilliant colleague @matthewfright.bsky.social where he explores how the local elections might impact the LGR process.

Institute for Government@instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 3mo ago

PODCAST 🎙️ May 2026 elections: What are the implications for local government reorganisation? @matthewfright.bsky.social travels across the home counties to find out how a changed political landscape will shape local government reorganisation www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...

What might the Makerfield by-election mean for the Labour party leadership? Our flowchart explores the potential Labour leadership challenges. Read our explainer to find out more about how a Labour Party leadership contest works 👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/la...

Following the devolved elections, first ministers Rhun ap Iorwerth and John Swinney have made their ministerial appointments. A new paper from @rebeccamckee.bsky.social and me draws on the IfG’s Ministers Reflect archive to outline key lessons on how to be an effective devolved government minister.

What can new ministers in Scotland and Wales learn from their predecessors?: Ministers reflect on devolution | Institute for Government

Former ministers – including several first ministers – share their insights on devolved government.

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

WMCA’s new Birmingham East MDC will accelerate projects like the Sports Quarter. Our latest @instituteforgovernment.org.uk DevoLab report shows how MDCs are being used to unlock investment and deliver at pace - with Birmingham as a key case study⬇️ www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

Mayor launches Britain’s biggest and most powerful Development Corporation to drive £11bn regeneration of East Birmingham

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, today launched Britain’s biggest and most powerful Mayoral Development Corporation to significantly speed up the £11bn regeneration of East Birmingham, one ...

wmca.org.uk