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.
Trust in the government’s response to coronavirus is built on open consultation
Announcements on quarantine policy highlight the government’s dangerously hasty approach to decision making during the coronavirus crisis
An uncertain start to the government’s coronavirus test and trace programme
To make a success of its new test and trace programme, the government must learn from mistakes it made in the drive to hit its testing target
The government should stop avoiding parliamentary scrutiny of its coronavirus legislation
The government should allow far greater parliamentary scrutiny of the laws that give effect to lockdown restrictions
The return of the Liaison Committee has added to the prime minister’s coronavirus problems
The Liaison Committee evidence session showed parliamentary scrutiny in a good light by exposing gaps in Boris Johnson’s knowledge
Ministers are responsible for the actions of special advisers – including Dominic Cummings
Special advisers are central to this government. We should know exactly what role they play.
The government’s handling of the Dominic Cummings row has led to a loss of public trust
In its handling of the row surrounding Dominic Cummings' trip to Durham, the government has undermined its ability to handle the coronavirus outbreak
Government reaches for the tsars in its coronavirus response
Appointing outsiders is a good addition to a fragmented health system, but it is important that their remit and terms of appointment are clear.
Appointing Simon Case as No. 10 permanent secretary should make a difference to the government’s coronavirus response
The appointment of Simon Case as permanent secretary in Number 10 should provide coherence to the government’s immediate Covid-19 response
The UK must get better at selling its deal to the EU
Rather than appealing to precedent, the UK should show more clearly how its proposed deal would benefit EU member states too
A 'Land Army' is not a long-term solution to the UK's farm labour problem
If the government does not reconcile its policies on migration and trade then British farming will suffer