State of the Future
@sotf.org.uk
A new think tank for public servants and others who believe data, digital, openness and innovation can deliver better policy, better services and better outcomes for people. Established by @gavinfreeguard.com. sotf.org.uk
A good time to be launching a think tank thinking about the state of the future, eh? Sign up to our newsletter via sotf.org.uk And yesterday's post on the Burnham government still feels relevant (and hasn't aged too badly, thankfully) medium.com/state-of-the...
Gavin Freeguard@gavinfreeguard.com · 5d agoCrikey www.gov.uk/government/p...
I have blogged! The State of the Present: Andy Burnham’s new government or - Why the abolition of DSIT is baffling and bad - Why I'm worried about what it means for civil service reform - Some opportunities for the new government around data, digital, open government medium.com/state-of-the...
The State of the Present: Andy Burnham’s new government
In common with lots of other policy people in recent weeks, I’ve been reading Head North, the (very readable) book by new Prime Minister…
medium.com
And if you enjoyed @policycamp.bsky.social... ...you might enjoy @transformgovtalks.bsky.social! Join us this Wednesday evening for talks on: - Design ethnography and Hansard - Churn! a boardgame all about making policy Sign up now: luma.com/5ux09nfv
Gavin Freeguard@gavinfreeguard.com · 2w agoIt really was - a massive thank you to everyone who came (an unconference is made by the people who turn up) and all the sponsors, organisers, volunteers who made it possible! We'll be publishing a report summarising the key themes, so look out for that in September
So. Farewell then, DSIT (7 February 2023 – 20 July 2026) For all the department’s challenges, I’m not sure it’s a great idea to abolish it 🧵
🚨 LAST DAY TO APPLY 🚨 More than 500 people have now applied for a ticket for the first ever @policycamp.bsky.social, taking place at UCL on Thursday 23 July Applications close TONIGHT at 11.59pm - the ballot takes place over the weekend Last chance to apply for a ticket: policycamp.org.uk
Also mentions that I'm in Berlin for the Creative Bureaucracy Festival (yes, I do know how to enjoy myself) - drop me a line if you're here too!
State of the Future@sotf.org.uk · 2mo ago🚨 OUR FIRST NEWSLETTER 🚨 Events! Lots of them! @transformgovtalks.bsky.social and @policycamp.bsky.social The future of Data Bites Keeping the FOIA burning Some ideas for open government And more! medium.com/state-of-the... (Subscribe via email: mailchi.mp/3c57e3c9e403...)
🚨 OUR FIRST NEWSLETTER 🚨 Events! Lots of them! @transformgovtalks.bsky.social and @policycamp.bsky.social The future of Data Bites Keeping the FOIA burning Some ideas for open government And more! medium.com/state-of-the... (Subscribe via email: mailchi.mp/3c57e3c9e403...)
State of the Future: Newsletter #1, June 2026
Welcome to the first State of the Future newsletter, which you either signed up for several weeks ago and have forgotten about, or are…
medium.com
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Gavin Freeguard@gavinfreeguard.com · 3mo agoThrilled that @policycamp.bsky.social, a one-day unconference for policy practitioners, is happening! - Thursday 23 July, 1000-1630 - University College London Apply for tickets now: policycamp.org.uk A massive thank you to everyone who helped shape our thinking. Please share widely!
We'll be thinking of some ideas to submit - and heading to some of the online sessions 👇
Gavin Freeguard@gavinfreeguard.com · 3mo ago🚨 CALL FOR EVIDENCE 🚨 The UK govt is currently looking for ideas for the next open govt national action plan, which covers transparency, accountability, open data, digital governance, public participation and more Closes 25 May, as many ideas of 250 words as you'd like www.gov.uk/government/c...
TOMORROW! @transformgovtalks.bsky.social with: - Lisa Trickey/Rebekah Wilson @local.gov.uk, state of digital local govt & LG2040: The State of Things to Come - Jonathan Slater, visiting prof @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social @qmul.bsky.social, civil service reform MoJ/online, 6pm luma.com/7nu2j853
TransformGov Talks: April 2026 · Luma
MULisa Trickey and Rebekah Wilson, Local Government Association on the state of digital Local Government and LG2040: The State of Things to Come Jonathan…
luma.com
Just spotted another government organisation on here, @tprgovuk.bsky.social, so have added to my starter pack: go.bsky.app/JHsY1Wz Who else has joined since I put it together?
What did we learn from the 2nd FOI Network workshop, on supporting journalists/specialist users of FOI? @mysociety.org have written it up. Key points: - Frustration at pushback (active & passive) - Importance of writing good requests, understanding process www.mysociety.org/2026/04/20/f...
FOI Network: what we discovered in workshop 2
We continue with exploratory work that will help shape what the FOI Network will become, and how it will best serve specific types of those who use Freedom Of Information. Last week, in our second wor...
mysociety.org
Timely, with former perm sec Jonathan Slater on civil service reform, and @local.gov.uk on the future of local government Join us in person or online next Wednesday 29 April 👇
@transformgovtalks.bsky.social · 4mo agoOur next event! 🚨 6PM, WED 29th April 🚨 At the MoJ or online. Lisa Trickey and Rebekah Wilson, LGA : LG2040: The State of Things to Come Jonathan Slater (ex DfE Perm Sec), Visiting Professor at King’s College London and QMUL luma.com/7nu2j853 Please share! Thanks 🙏
Join us a week on Wednesday for another great line-up 👇 Previous events here: www.transformgov.org.uk/previous.shtml
@transformgovtalks.bsky.social · 4mo agoOur next event! 🚨 6PM, WED 29th April 🚨 At the MoJ or online. Lisa Trickey and Rebekah Wilson, LGA : LG2040: The State of Things to Come Jonathan Slater (ex DfE Perm Sec), Visiting Professor at King’s College London and QMUL luma.com/7nu2j853 Please share! Thanks 🙏
How can we protect and expand FOI? @mysociety.org have written up the first workshop exploring what an FOI Network could do to help www.mysociety.org/2026/04/14/f... The second workshop, on how a Network could support journalists and specialist users, is... TOMORROW! Sign up: luma.com/y12euvs2
FOI Network: how can we strengthen access to information?
The FOI Network is an informal coalition of civil society organisations, journalists and academics with an interest in Freedom of Information, convened by mySociety and State of the Future. Last week,...
mysociety.org
The growing case to protect FOI www.mysociety.org/2026/04/08/t... Great summary by @juliacushion.bsky.social of responses to recent threats to freedom of information We, @mysociety.org & others are exploring what an FOI Network could look like Next online workshop: Wed 15 April luma.com/y12euvs2
The growing case to protect FOI
The response from across the FOI community and beyond is clear that restricting access to information is not the answer.
mysociety.org
Sound! And vision! www.mysociety.org/transparency...
FOI Fest 2026
The FOI Network co-organised FOI Fest 2026 in February 2026, which was a one-day conference to celebrate 21 years of FOI in the UK. Thank you to the Birkbeck Centre for British Political Life, the Jos...
mysociety.org
mySociety@mysociety.org · 4mo agoMore than 10 million people have made an #FOI request, says Warren Seddon of @infocommission.bsky.social. FOI Fest sessions are now available as podcasts - subscribe to hear insights from FOI experts, users & campaigners: www.mysociety.org/podcasts/mys... #FreedomofInformation
Our next event! 🚨 6PM, WED 29th April 🚨 At the MoJ or online. Lisa Trickey and Rebekah Wilson, LGA : State of digital Local Government and LG2040: The State of Things to Come Jonathan Slater, Visiting Professor at King’s College London and QMUL luma.com/7nu2j853 Please share! Thanks 🙏
TransformGov Talks: April 2026 · Luma
Lisa Trickey and Rebekah Wilson, Local Government Association on the state of digital Local Government and LG2040: The State of Things to Come Jonathan Slater,…
luma.com
Fix the plumbing => fix the planning! Had a great conversation with @mikerose.co.uk and Colm Britton about their work with MHCLG on digital planning - and the role of data standards, underlying infrastructure, openness, community and much more besides podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/s...
Special Episode: Planning Problems & Possibilities
Podcast Episode · It's not all about the numbers! · 28 March · 50min
podcasts.apple.com
Today!
State of the Future@sotf.org.uk · 4mo agoHow might an FOI Network encourage the protection and expansion of Freedom of Information in the UK? Building on the success of FOI Fest (www.mysociety.org/transparency...), that's the question we'll be looking to answer at an online workshop next Wednesday, 1 April. Join us! luma.com/erlh5p2b
How might an FOI Network encourage the protection and expansion of Freedom of Information in the UK? Building on the success of FOI Fest (www.mysociety.org/transparency...), that's the question we'll be looking to answer at an online workshop next Wednesday, 1 April. Join us! luma.com/erlh5p2b
How might an FOI Network encourage the protection and expansion of Freedom of Information in the UK? · Luma
The FOI Network is currently an informal coalition of civil society organisations, journalists, and academics interested in Freedom of Information (FOI) in the…
luma.com
A huge thank you to last night's excellent @transformgovtalks.bsky.social presenters: - Oliver @adalovelaceinst.bsky.social on AI transcription in social care www.adalovelaceinstitute.org/report/scrib... - Owen @infocommission.bsky.social on Better Records Together ico.org.uk/about-the-ic...
Happy @transformgovtalks.bsky.social week! Join us for 6pm this Wednesday, online or at the MoJ in London SW1 👇
@transformgovtalks.bsky.social · 5mo agoOur next event! 🚨 6PM, WED 25 March 🚨 At the MoJ or online. Lara Groves and Oliver Bruff, Ada Lovelace Institute, on AI transcription tools in social care Owen Prendeville, on the ICO’s campaign to drive improvements for access to care records luma.com/8i84tnwy Please share! Thanks 🙏
Bumper freedom of information thread for your delectation and delight (and disquiet): - Links to great FOI Fest videos, a month on - A couple of big FOI stories in the FT this week - Details of the first FOI Network online event (join us!)
State of the Future@sotf.org.uk · 5mo agoIt’s exactly a month since FOI Fest – a great day of discussion on all things freedom of information. If you missed it, videos are now available www.mysociety.org/transparency... After @gavinfreeguard.com's intro, we had a video from Info Commissioner, John Edwards www.youtube.com/watch?v=icFP...
It’s exactly a month since FOI Fest – a great day of discussion on all things freedom of information. If you missed it, videos are now available www.mysociety.org/transparency... After @gavinfreeguard.com's intro, we had a video from Info Commissioner, John Edwards www.youtube.com/watch?v=icFP...
FOI Fest 2026 - Introduction
YouTube video by mySociety
youtube.com
Two weeks today! Sign up for the latest @transformgovtalks.bsky.social with: @laragroves.bsky.social, @adalovelaceinst.bsky.social on www.adalovelaceinstitute.org/report/scrib... Owen from the ICO on ico.org.uk/about-the-ic... In person (central London) or online 👇
@transformgovtalks.bsky.social · 5mo agoHappy Monday! 👋 Our next event! 🚨 6PM, WED 25 March 🚨 At the MoJ or online. Lara Groves, Ada Lovelace Institute, on AI transcription tools in social care Owen Prendeville, on the ICO’s campaign to drive improvements for access to care records luma.com/8i84tnwy Please share! Thanks 🙏
I've just supported 'National Conversations' from @transform.wales & @foundationsofthedigitalstate.com, a project to deliver a bookshelf of essential reads on digital government to every newly elected members of the Scottish Parliament and Senedd Join me here: nationalconversations.org
National Conversations
Help put digital technology at the heart of political life in Scotland and Wales.
nationalconversations.org
Something for the weekend: Catch up on #FOIFest! @mysociety.org have just published slides and recordings from our brilliant conference last week Agenda www.mysociety.org/transparency... YouTube playlist www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3Rz...
FOI Fest 2026
The FOI Network co-organised FOI Fest 2026 in February 2026, which was a one-day conference to celebrate 21 years of FOI in the UK. Thank you to the Birkbeck Centre for British Political Life, the Jos...
mysociety.org
Thoroughly enjoyed hearing from @liamhawkes.bsky.social, Violette and @jamestplunkett.bsky.social last night - thank you for being brilliant! medium.com/@transformgo...
@transformgovtalks.bsky.social · 5mo agoAnother great TGT event last night at the MoJ. Liam Hawkes, Principal Service Designer, and Violette Gadenne, Senior User Researcher, Policy and Innovation Lab (CoLab), Home Office, on setting the scene, not running the show: service design in a spending review.
