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.
Coronavirus leaves EU contemplating a longer Brexit transition period – but the time to act is short
Georgina Wright says the EU believe it is only a matter of time before a new extension is negotiated
Keir Starmer’s first job as Labour leader is to hold the government to account on coronavirus
Becoming leader of the opposition during a national crisis won’t be easy, but it gives Keir Starmer a shortcut to the nation’s attention
Ten ways to judge governments over coronavirus
Bronwen Maddox sets out the ten areas on which governments around the world will be judged
Coronavirus is giving Universal Credit its moment in the sun
In its early response to the Covid-19 crisis, Universal Credit has managed well
Taxing digital services suggests the government is serious about sovereignty
The UK’s new digital services tax hints at where the government’s priorities lie in the trade-off between sovereignty and free trade
The government must draw a clear line between law and guidance during the coronavirus crisis
The government and police must make clear what is enforceable and what is guidance if they are to retain the trust and confidence of the public
The economic response to the coronavirus answers only immediate questions
Rishi Sunak should be applauded for ripping up Treasury thinking in his response to the coronavirus crisis
The coronavirus crisis could open the window for long overdue tax reform
The chancellor is right to suggest tax reform might be the trade-off for coronavirus support for the self-employed
The coronavirus crisis shows that government needs the capacity to deal with tough times
After the coronavirus crisis it is likely that the public will want greater investment in public services and a more resilient emergency response
The Coronavirus Bill: extraordinary legislation for extraordinary times
Given the scale of the measures in the Coronavirus Bill, constructive scrutiny of their use will be important in the coming months