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 coronavirus pandemic is a significant moment for civil service reform
Ministers should support a strong civil service, but there are no quick or easy answers
Guest blog: Bernard Jenkin on the long-term consequences for Whitehall after coronavirus
The attitude and behaviour of ministers, their advisers, Parliament and the political parties needs to change, as well as that of the civil service
Playing “whack-a-mole” with coronavirus is not a good enough local lockdown strategy
Ministers need a strategy for targeted restrictions, just as they needed a strategy for national ones
The task facing the new cabinet secretary
Bronwen Maddox sets out the tasks that await Sedwill's successor as cabinet secretary
A change of cabinet secretary is a chance for a reset
While Sir Mark Sedwill grappled well with difficult circumstances, the government now needs to put the right people in across Whitehall
Lords ministers need greater support
Government ministers in the House of Lords are often overlooked, overworked and under-supported – despite the vital role they play
The government needs to get itself in shape for net zero
Getting the governance right to put the UK on track for net zero will be crucial
Is the government calling time on the two-metre rule?
There are economic risks, as well as opportunities, to reducing the UK's coronavirus social distancing rule
Boris Johnson should implement previous race review recommendations before starting a new one
The prime minister has failed to explain why a new commission on racial inequality will succeed
The Robert Jenrick affair has the potential to do lasting damage to the government
A planning decision in January could yet come back to bite the government