Incisive commentary from the IfG’s expert team on issues facing government and key ministerial decisions.
From analysis of key political events such as budgets and party conferences to snap responses to unexpected developments such as government reshuffles, our writers set out their views and analyse what government gets right, what it gets wrong, and what it can do better.
Culture shock: the case of setting up the Competition and Markets Authority
There are many challenges in setting up a new government agency.
To know the costs of manifesto promises, the OBR should be the first place we look
Allowing the Office for Budget Responsibility to certify opposition policy costings could inject much-needed clarity into the election campaign.
26 Bills Later: Legislation During the ‘Zombie Parliament’
Was the 2013-15 session a ‘zombie parliament’? Gavin Freeguard looks at the law data.
Key questions for the parties after the election
There will be life in office after May 7th, for someone.
The (Not So) Fixed-term Parliaments Act
Dr Catherine Haddon explains that the implications of the FTPA remain little understood.
Educating Jeremy: how will the new Civil Service master's course make a difference?
Will the new Executive Master's of Public Policy (EMPP) make a difference?
Counting down to the election: the latest civil service staff numbers
Emily Andrews and Gavin Freeguard crunch the last numbers to be published before the election.
Paid more than the PM: will freedom on pay packets close skills gaps in the Civil Service?
Will the freedom to hire staff on salaries greater than the Prime Minster’s allow Whitehall to close skills gaps in certain areas?
Deep impact? How government departments measured their impact under the Coalition
What impact have government departments had in the real world under the Coalition?
We need clarity about the 2015 election
The media needs to improve.