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.
Labour and Conservative manifestos ignore potentially painful choices ahead on tax
Both main political parties fail to spell out who will pay for their promises of improved public services.
General Election 2019: Institute for Government verdict on the manifestos
Bronwen Maddox weighs up the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat manifestos.
A cross-party parliamentary commission is the best way to build lasting social care reform
A parliamentary commission remains the best option to build lasting social care reform.
Policing pledges could spell trouble for the criminal justice system
The main parties’ pledges to increase police numbers may not be enough to effectively deal with crime, and could create issues further down the line.
Conservative and Labour fiscal rules would shake off the spending straitjacket
While the winner of the next election will adopt a looser fiscal stance, any increases in capital spending must be carefully managed.
Royal commissions are outdated and will not deliver real change
With the last royal commission ending 19 years ago, a new government should look elsewhere for solutions to complex policy questions.
Boris Johnson has set himself up to miss another Brexit deadline
The Conservatives have promised to end the Brexit process by the end of next year, but this deadline is almost certain to be missed.
Manifestos still matter even though their promises aren't being delivered
The publication of party manifestos is a big moment in a general election campaign. Parties set out their plans for running the country. Policies are
Political consensus on business can’t hide the policy flaws
There are some surprising signs of consensus – and problems ahead – in the main political parties' pitches to the business community.
Asking the OBR to cost manifestos could make sense – but would be complicated
While opposition parties would like the Office for Budget Responsibility be cost all parties’ manifestos, such a decision should not be taken lightly.