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 new cabinet secretary faces an early battle with the prime minister
Simon Case starts his new role today with the full support of Boris Johnson, but he should stand up to the person on whose authority his job depends
Jonathan Jones's resignation points to wider questions about breaking international law
Sir Jonathan Jones' resignation points to a wider struggle about what the rule of law means for the UK
The prime minister needs to step up on net zero
Net zero is an area which needs the strong strategic centre No.10 are so keen to create
The early pandemic response offers the government lessons for the next phase
The government needs to have a strategy, be clear who is doing what and use evidence wisely to make the best choices
The new FCDO needs to show it can do both parts of its job well
There is still a long way to go before we know how the new FCDO will manage both aid and diplomacy
The biggest challenges for the new cabinet secretary are coronavirus and civil service reform
The question is whether Simon Case can lead the civil service through coronavirus, Brexit and its own reforms
Three questions for the Maude review of the Cabinet Office
Francis Maude's review into the Cabinet Office needs to start with basic questions about how the centre of government should work
Beyond Brexit negotiations, the UK and the EU have decisions to make on their future relationship
While the outcome of the Brexit negotiations is important, what happens at the end of the year will also depend on choices the UK and EU make on their
The prime minister needs to clarify whether he still believes in ministerial accountability
The government’s actions are calling into question the principle that UK ministers are held to account for the performance of the department they over
Gavin Williamson should go too
For the long series of serious misjudgements about schools during the pandemic, the buck should stop with the secretary of state