Research and analysis
We examine the questions that matter most for effective government.
Explore our research and analysis
Why the government needs to improve the mayoral offer
The elected mayors debate is heating up, feedback from 11 cities planning referendums on elected mayors suggests that greater clarity is essential.
Opening up policy making: The wisdom of four
Last week Decentralisation and Planning Minister Greg Clark invited a housebuilder, a council leader and an environmentalist to draft the new NPPF.
Big Shot or Long Shot?
We explain how the mayoral model has the potential to overcome some of the barriers to growth that cities face.
Supporting Heads of Government
In Supporting Heads of Government we compare the support system for the UK prime minister with the heads of government in five other countries.
Acceptance of NHS reform could hinge on accountability
As the Government’s NHS modernisation exercise ends the question emerges - how do we reconcile accountability to Parliament.
Was Gordon Brown's 'Economic War Council' a new model for driving the PM's agenda?
One of the constitutional innovations under Prime Minister Brown was a new sort of Cabinet Committee – the National Economic Council.
Why special advisers are more than cabinet apprentices
The IfG's latest report, has a number of sensible and straightforward insights and ideas for addressing ministerial effectiveness.
Lessons in ministerial effectiveness from overseas
Experience overseas throws a new light on how UK practices of hiring and firing senior politicians has an impact on the effectiveness of ministers.
For how long should ministers be in place?
One straightforward way for prime ministers to improve the effectiveness of their governments is by not shifting ministers around too often.
The Challenge of Being a Minister
This short report summarises the results, analysis and recommendations of the Institute for Government’s report The Challenge Of Being A Minister.