Research and analysis
We examine the questions that matter most for effective government.
Explore our research and analysis
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Rishi Sunak’s Job Support Scheme fixes deficiencies with his previous post-furlough scheme plan but will almost certainly waste taxpayers’ money by pr
Rishi Sunak is right to delay the spending review – but was wrong to delay this decision
Delaying the planned multi-year spending review has put unnecessary pressure on departments
Ministers’ private offices
Every government minister has a private office. This is a small team of civil servants dedicated to supporting ministerial duties and decisions.
Special advisers and the Johnson government
How Boris Johnson's changes to the role of special advisers disempowered ministers and undermined the quality of decision making in government.
The UK Internal Market Bill: too strong in theory, too weak in practice?
The UK Internal Market Bill risks delivering the worst of both worlds
Coronavirus should trigger long-term reforms to Universal Credit
The Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee speaks sense on what needs to be done to make Universal Credit work better
Another EU court ruling leaves data adequacy in doubt after Brexit
Lewis Lloyd warns that the latest data-protection ruling from the ECJ leaves the UK in a tricky position
The government should publish its evidence for rejecting a second coronavirus lockdown
If the government disagrees with introducing a short "circuit breaker" lockdown, it should explain why
Five ways Allegra Stratton can reset government communications
The necessary resetting of government communications requires the new No.10 press spokesperson to take control and do it her way
NHS targets require flexibility during the coronavirus crisis
Graham Atkins argues that hospital targets are not appropriate when coronavirus hospitalisations are increasing