Since the government reshuffle in Sept25, the representation of women among cabinet ministers has dropped slightly from 48% to 44% - but remains higher than under any previous prime minister.
Ahead of International Women’s Day, here's some insights from our interviews with women who served in govt
This is interesting - on the one hand, makes sense given how much is expected of ministers in the Lords (who don't have a base salary, just an allowance)
But I do think this is a failing to be more innovative about what ministers are for...
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Govt’s proposed SEND reforms contain positive ideas to move the system towards early intervention.
But there are tensions the govt has not yet worked through between investing in these changes quickly and ensuring reforms are fully evidenced.
Cabinet secretaries
A 110 year old job. A lot of variation in how past holders have done the job.
A lot of debate about whether the job is even doable now.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/ca...
Short comment from me about SEND reform:
Legal rights are a much-relied-upon safeguard in the SEND system, but they can complicate efforts to make education more inclusive.
Govt must acknowledge and carefully navigate that tension, with parents and other stakeholders
I spoke at the House of Lords Justice & Home Affairs Committee yesterday, on behalf of @instituteforgovernment.org.uk, on immigration, citizenship and integration. Thanks to @jlowen.bsky.social, @cassiarowland.bsky.social and @hcdunlop.bsky.social for help on prep!
Session here: tinyurl.com/372h6jdk
Starting shortly - tune in to hear about Darren Jones's plans for rewiring the state
Busy day ahead!
Also incudes @darrenpjones.bsky.social setting out his plans to shake up Whitehall and renew the state.
Watch on the link below at 11.30
Follow @alexgathomas.bsky.social and @hannahkeenan.bsky.social for some instant reaction.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/modern...
We are really pleased to announce that our Government 2026 annual conference at the IfG will kick start with a keynote speech by Wes Streeting at 8:30am. He will be in conversation with @drhannahwhite.bsky.social
Join us online:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
‼️Not to miss‼️In conversation with Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister
The PM's Chief Secretary will set out the changes being made to the centre of Whitehall to enable the government to drive action more quickly in 2026.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
New to Bluesky? Or just interested in the workings of government in the UK?
Check out our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk starter pack here - find all my fantastic colleagues and follow for their insight and analysis
go.bsky.app/P7JZCH
📝Our new @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report with @jackpannell.bsky.social & @emmanorris.bsky.social out today sets out out the underlying problems with the way public inquiries are established
We argue ministers need better support to make informed decisions about how an inquiry should be set up
The updated Governance Code for Public Appointments is a major step forward - good to see many previous IfG recommendations taken on board. There is more to do, however, as shown by recent antics at DCMS.
My and @drmatthewgill.bsky.social 's thoughts below👇
Last week at @instituteforgovernment.org.uk, we published a new set of Ministers Reflect interviews with Sajid Javid, Simon Hart and Theresa Villiers.
My comment piece below explores the key lessons Starmer's govt can take from these reflections.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/less...
1/ At the IfG, we have been following the government’s announcements on digital ID closely. Last month, we were joined by an expert panel to discuss the potential opportunities and challenges of implementing the policy.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
1/ Last month, the government released a new list of its parliamentary private secretaries and cabinet committees following September’s reshuffle.
Our explainers are updated with the new numbers!
Here are some key takeaways from the releases…
As bad as your day might be, it could be worse, you could be the person who accidentally published the OBR's budget document a couple of hours early: obr.uk/docs/dlm_upl...
Pleased to have written an op-ed for @civilserviceworld.bsky.social outlining some of the lessons from our new @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report, Ministers Reflect on the Treasury.
www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
Rachel Reeves told the FT how helpful she's found Jeremy Hunt's advice on being chancellor - I wonder if this is one of the things they've discussed?
From the great new IfG report from Shaina and Paddy - essential reading ahead of the Budget!
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
![Quote graphic with “#Ministers Reflect” and a statement about the chancellor’s power over money, attributed to Jeremy Hunt — Chancellor of the Exchequer (2022–24), whose portrait appears to the right of the quote. The quote reads: "I think most of your power does revolve around the decisions you can make over money [...as chancellor] that puts you in a very different position to every other cabinet minister, including the prime minister." The Institute for Government logo is in the corner of the image.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:yafpzg4e4ibpubp33xsq5v7q/bafkreigoe7oaqk4kw45ex74usg7hdlkwwkyrhgqk7qn6iacyfcrrujfiym)
Quote graphic with “#Ministers Reflect” and a statement about the chancellor’s power over money, attributed to Jeremy Hunt — Chancellor of the Exchequer (2022–24), whose portrait appears to the right of the quote. The quote reads: "I think most of your power does revolve around the decisions you can make over money [...as chancellor] that puts you in a very different position to every other cabinet minister, including the prime minister." The Institute for Government logo is in the corner of the image.
New paper, 'Ministers reflect on the Treasury' from @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social and me for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk. Pre-budget, we've compiled insights from 10 years of Ministers Reflect interviews, plus rex from the IfG catalogue on HMT. Favourite quotes to follow! 1/🧵 tinyurl.com/38anhkc7
!["I think most of your power does revolve around the decisions you can make over money [as chancellor] that puts you in a very different position to every other cabinet minister, including the prime minister."
Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the exchequer (2022-24)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:d656x5rt365ylfpbzpwgpl4i/bafkreigoe7oaqk4kw45ex74usg7hdlkwwkyrhgqk7qn6iacyfcrrujfiym)
"I think most of your power does revolve around the decisions you can make over money [as chancellor] that puts you in a very different position to every other cabinet minister, including the prime minister." Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the exchequer (2022-24)
NEW | Ministers Reflect on the Treasury
Drawing on over a decade of interviews with over 150 ministers, our new report explores the Treasury’s role and the tensions it creates across Whitehall www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
As the covid inquiry gears up for Module 9 on economic policy, @gemmatetlow.bsky.social and I have a new @ukri.org-funded @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report out on Epi-econ modelling for pandemics. We set out why govt needs to invest now 1/🧵
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
A column chart from the Institute for Government of 19 to 21 year-old care leavers by activity, 2025 showing that 40% were not in education, training or employment.
New data shows 40% of 19 to 21 year-old care leavers were not in employment, education or training in March this year (15,000 young people).
For all 19 to 21 year-olds, that figure is estimated at 15%.
This is really part of a longer story about the ONS, and the picture we have (or don't) of the state and society. The move from International Passenger Surveys to DWP data should improve our understanding of what Brits are doing at least.
Come join us next Monday for a conversation about all things fast stream!
Are you interested in the fast stream’s role in the wider civil service recruitment ecosystem, and what the future fast stream reform efforts focus on?
Join us next Monday for our event How can the fast stream deliver more for the civil service?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/civil-...
NEW REPORT Labour is struggling to meet its education priorities. It has big ambitions to improve schools, but a budget that falls short of matching them. And with no clear plans to reform the SEND system or tackle workforce shortages, children are being left without the support they need.
New @instituteforgovernment.org.uk comment from me
The chaos surrounding the grooming gangs inquiry last week highlights much deeper problems with the way the government sets up public inquiries
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/groo...
4 patterns we're seeing in adult social care, children's social care and homelessness services (with graphs)
And what govt should do about it
A thread from @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's NEW jumbo report (read 1 get 3 free) on the state of local government services and finance 👇
PSA: We have a new (and long) @instituteforgovernment.org.uk explainer out on the immigration and asylum policies of the major parties (of England...) following a flurry of announcements all year and around conference season, in particular.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/im...
