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 Sewel Convention has been broken by Brexit – reform is now urgent
The time has come to overhaul a convention which is no longer working.
Moving the Lords could be an inspired gesture of the government’s commitment to the regions
While obstacles to relocating the House of Lords are not insuperable, who sits in the Upper House matters more than where they meet
Moving the Lords north would have far-reaching implications
The implications of the government's reported plans to relocate the House of Lords are far-reaching and require serious and detailed thought
Carillion’s failed hospitals show need for outsourcing reform
Avoidable failures in government outsourcing have left the public waiting up to five years for two much-needed hospitals
Five causes of concern about citizens’ rights after Brexit – and what the government should do
Joe Owen sets out what the government should be doing to address a series of complicated challenges
A bumpy level playing field awaits the next round of Brexit talks
The UK government needs clearer arguments and a better strategy going into the next phase of Brexit talks
Has the civil service been resisting Brexit?
Rather than being resistant, Whitehall is responsive to clear political will
Dominic Cummings' plan to ‘shake up’ Cabinet committees is positive – but not without problems
The government hasn't found the perfect formula for the structure of cabinet committees just yet
A government without scrutiny is more likely to make mistakes
Boris Johnson’s government will make more mistakes and ultimately deliver less effective policies in the absence of parliamentary scrutiny
Government will struggle to ‘Get Brexit Done’ by December 2020
The task of 'Getting Brexit Done' will become even more challenging after the UK has formally left the EU