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.
Budget 2021: a preview in charts
Thomas Pope runs through some of the big challenges the chancellor faces and decisions he has to make.
The five flaws of Scotland’s government
The Salmond-Sturgeon clash has exposed serious weaknesses that need urgent remedy
The Treasury should not axe the Green Homes Grant
The subsidy scheme has not worked as a stimulus policy, but scrapping it would raise questions
Rishi Sunak’s budget should start laying the groundwork for tax reform
Thomas Pope argues that the chancellor should use his budget to lay the ground for future changes to the tax system
Manifesto promises alone should not hold back Rishi Sunak's Budget
The views of the public and the chancellor’s colleagues are more likely to bind his hands on pensions and tax than the letter of the manifesto
Six things we learned at our net zero conference
TomTom Sasse reflects on a day of discussions about how countries can reach net zero
Rishi Sunak’s budget must support the lockdown exit roadmap
The government’s plan for easing lockdown restrictions must be supported by appropriate tax and spending policy
Ministers should not promise a revolution from civil service relocation
Ministers should not give the impression that relocation alone will transform decision making
The government’s Covid lockdown roadmap points to an uncertain journey
Catherine Haddon finds big gaps in a roadmap that is dependent on confidence in the prime minister
Making Lord Frost cabinet minister for EU relations makes sense – and suggests a hostile strategy
With Lord Frost's appointment, strategy will be more ‘hardline’ than flexible, says Maddy Thimont Jack