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.
The Brexit deal is a big achievement which leaves little time to prepare
There is dangerously little time left to scrutinize the Brexit deal and to prepare for what it means
The Treasury’s interim review is a major step on the path to net zero
Jill Rutter welcomes the Treasury’s acceptance of net zero
Heathrow’s Supreme Court win is a long-term opportunity for the government
The unanimous judgment will allow the firm behind Heathrow Airport to seek planning permission for a third runway
Five things the government needs to get right on the vaccine rollout
The government will need to avoid repeating problems in decision making, delivery and communication if it is to make a success of mass vaccination
Extending the Brexit transition period is harder than agreeing a Brexit deal
With 10 days to go until the end of the transition period, Maddy Thimont Jack warns that it is too late to extend the time to talk.
Government deserves credit for reducing the economic costs of coronavirus lockdown
Well-designed restrictions and clear communication were able to reduce the extent of any trade-off between public health and the economy
The energy white paper shows momentum is building around net zero
The energy white paper is a welcome – and long delayed – step forward for UK energy policy
The government will regret relaxing the Covid rules over Christmas
owever tempted Boris Johnson is to fudge Christmas Covid restrictions, this is a judgement call he cannot duck
Time spent negotiating a Brexit deal is time needed to ratify and prepare
As the Brexit talks enter the endgame, squeezing the timetable to negotiate will have knock-on consequences
Even in a pandemic, delivering manifestos still matters
Despite the pandemic, the government has made decent inroads on its ‘contract with the electorate’