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 UK needs a top ambassador to the EU at this critical time
The next UK ambassador to the EU will take on a role at a delicate time in UK-EU relations.
The UK needs a functioning system of arm’s-length governance, not a flock of handy scapegoats
Ministers too often misunderstand the role of arm's-length bodies
Government needs a plan B in case it is forced to close schools again
The prime minister insists that all schools will open again in September, but he must be prepared in case a tactical retreat is needed
Four things government must learn from the A-level algorithm fiasco
The government to learn from the shambolic handling of A-level results
Getting rid of Public Health England will not make dealing with the coronavirus pandemic easier
Public Health England hasn’t had a good crisis. But replacing it with a new agency will be disruptive and may not fix the problem.
Check, change, and going nowhere – the government’s Brexit communications plan is falling short
The government’s current Brexit communications strategy is unlikely to drive the action it wants
Trade and regulation: chlorinated chicken just a taster of problems ahead
The government needs to change its approach to regulatory trade issues
Confusion over local coronavirus lockdowns shows a government failing to learn from mistakes
The government needs to get slicker at imposing local lockdowns
Rishi Sunak must build public support before introducing tax changes
The chancellor should make clear what his objectives are for borrowing and debt but he should not attempt to announce a full plan for tax
Matt Hancock’s speech on the future of healthcare is unlikely to survive contact with reality
The health secretary has delivered an ambitious speech on the future of health and social care but the policies proposed will be hard to implement