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Thomas Pope

@tompope.bsky.social

Chief Economist @instituteforgov.bsky.social

136 Posts1736 Follower476 Folgt
Thomas Pope@tompope.bsky.social · yesterday

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

Thomas Pope@tompope.bsky.social · yesterday

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

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

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/

Ben Paxton@drbenpaxton.bsky.social · 5d ago

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/...

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

Excellent primer thread ahead of today's devo announcements from Matthew On fiscal devolution, a couple of key things I'm looking out for: 1. Will all/most mayors get the power immediately, or just the most advanced 2. How much flex will mayors have to spend on their own, vs Whitehall's, priorities

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 🧵

Stuart Hoddinott@stuarthoddinott.bsky.social · 6d ago

New comment: PM buy-in is needed to reform adult social care, so yesterday's speech was positive And political consensus would help. But waiting for consensus shouldn't stop reform, else Burnham risks becoming the latest PM to fail on social care www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/article/comm...

Burnham can’t take the politics out of social care reform | Institute for Government

The new PM will have to prioritise to make progress on social care during this parliament

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Alex Thomas@alexgathomas.bsky.social · 7d ago

Here’s our piece wrapping up Andy Burnham’s government formation - six things we learned about BurnhamWorld by @rebeccamckee.bsky.social @philipnye.bsky.social @meganbryer.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/six-...

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

Thomas Pope@tompope.bsky.social · last wk.

As the new government continues to make big announcements daily, we @instituteforgovernment.org.uk will be taking stock on Thursday lunchtime in a webinar. Do join! You can sign up at the link below

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

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.

Jill Rutter@jillongovt.bsky.social · 2w ago

Pros and cons of the Burnham VAT cut. Pro 1) early indication he "gets" squeeze households feel 2) may offset next price cap lift 3) only on electricity so at margin good for rebalancing gas/electricity ratio as needed to promote wider electrification 4) temporary 5) cuts inflation in 2026

Hannah White@drhannahwhite.bsky.social · 4w ago

We are hiring! Brilliant senior job running our new UK Government team… …looking for someone creative and strategic with experience of government who would seize this fantastic opportunity to make government work well for the people of the UK! www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/about-us/car...

Director, UK Government | Institute for Government

A rare and exciting opportunity to become a core member of the Institute for Government’s newly restructured senior team.

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Ben Paxton@drbenpaxton.bsky.social · 4w ago

Good decision by Burnham (if true). He needs to prioritise improving the centre of govt and economic/fiscal policy making, but splitting the Treasury would be a damaging distraction (set up a bolstered PM dept, have a bold tax strategy and improve the SR instead) www.ft.com/content/61c0...

Andy Burnham rules out splitting Treasury to avoid disruption

Likely next prime minister has been rethinking Britain’s economic levers to promote regional growth

ft.com

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

PODCAST 🎙️ Northern Soul: Burnham's Manchester No.10 plan How will Burnham's No.10 North really work? @davidlidington.bsky.social joins @alexgathomas.bsky.social @hannahkeenan.bsky.social @tompope.bsky.social to discuss the would-be PM's big speech www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...

Northern Soul: Burnham's Manchester No.10 plan | Institute for Government

Former de facto deputy prime minister David Lidington joins the podcast to discuss the would-be PM's big speech.

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Thomas Pope@tompope.bsky.social · last mo.

Latest from me and @hannahkeenan.bsky.social for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Burnham might be mulling breaking up the Treasury. He’s right to want to reform the centre, but no.10 and cabinet office should be his focus. HMT reorg would be a distraction and would not fix underlying problems

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

NEW | Andy Burnham must sort out the centre of government on day one @tompope.bsky.social and @hannahkeenan.bsky.social argue that Andy Burnham should focus on the Cabinet Office and No.10, rather than splitting the Treasury: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/andy...

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

NEW | Andy Burnham must sort out the centre of government on day one @tompope.bsky.social and @hannahkeenan.bsky.social argue that Andy Burnham should focus on the Cabinet Office and No.10, rather than splitting the Treasury: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/andy...

Andy Burnham must sort out the centre of government on day one | Institute for Government

A weak No.10 and ineffective Cabinet Office require urgent attention

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Thomas Pope@tompope.bsky.social · last mo.

Great thread from Tim on our new piece looking at how the mayor and PM roles compare. It's short, so do give the full piece a read!

Tim Durrant@timdurrant.bsky.social · last mo.

Within a few weeks we'll have our next prime minister - don't know if you've heard, but he's been mayor of Manchester for the last few years. @tompope.bsky.social, @akashpaun.bsky.social and I have had a look for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk at the differences between the two roles:

Thomas Pope@tompope.bsky.social · last mo.

I'm looking forward to speaking to @dantomlinson.bsky.social next Monday. Please do sign up to hear from the minister about transformation at HMRC

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

EVENT| A keynote speech by Dan Tomlinson MP, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury 📅Monday 29 June 2026, 11:30-12:30 We are pleased to welcome Dan Tomlinson MP, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, to share his experiences as departmental minister for HMRC – and set out his vision for transformation

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

EVENT| A keynote speech by Dan Tomlinson MP, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury 📅Monday 29 June 2026, 11:30-12:30 We are pleased to welcome Dan Tomlinson MP, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, to share his experiences as departmental minister for HMRC – and set out his vision for transformation

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Hannah Keenan@hannahkeenan.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Have written about why this is so good. Yes, there's miles more that's needed, but before you dunk on this it's worth getting to grips with the bind civil servants are in at the moment, where your choices are: move dept, move job, or see your pay stagnate. This is a route out, and that is good.

Government is right to start tackling the knotty issue of civil service pay | Institute for Government

Performance-related pay progression for senior officials is a good, if limited, move.

instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Darren Jones MP@darrenpjones.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Earlier this year, I set out plans to modernise the civil service. Now, for the first time ever (!), pay rises for senior civil servants will be linked to performance - including the delivery of our political priorities. www.gov.uk/government/n...