Research and analysis
We examine the questions that matter most for effective government.
Explore our research and analysis
Confusion over local coronavirus lockdowns shows a government failing to learn from mistakes
The government needs to get slicker at imposing local lockdowns
Rishi Sunak must build public support before introducing tax changes
The chancellor should make clear what his objectives are for borrowing and debt but he should not attempt to announce a full plan for tax
Trade and regulation after Brexit
The government will not be able to conclude a large number of trade agreements at speed and maintain its much-prized regulatory autonomy after Brexit.
Outsourcing and privatisation
What is the difference between privatisation and outsourcing?
How fit were public services for coronavirus?
Failures in planning and funding cuts meant public services were not well prepared to handle the coronavirus crisis.
Matt Hancock’s speech on the future of healthcare is unlikely to survive contact with reality
The health secretary has delivered an ambitious speech on the future of health and social care but the policies proposed will be hard to implement
Reforming Universal Credit: the priorities
The new report into Universal Credit is welcome. Nicholas Timmins chooses four of its most important recommendations that should be prioritised.
A year of Prime Minister Johnson: Getting Brexit Done and getting into difficulties?
Boris Johnson may discover that his easiest task was getting the UK out of the EU
This is not the time for a three-year spending review
The government’s decision to hold a three-year spending review is the wrong one and should be reversed
The ISC Russia report highlighted problems that cannot be solved by the intelligence services alone
The ISC's Russia report is a serious warning that needs a broad-based solution