Research and analysis
We examine the questions that matter most for effective government.
Explore our research and analysis
Collapsing civil service pay undermines the government’s ability to deliver
Why the civil service strike demonstrates the risks of the government’s attempt to hold down pay.
Jeremy Hunt’s growth plan mixes welcome realism with speculative cakeism
The chancellor’s plan for growth is an evidence-based but policy-lite vision which may end up laying the groundwork for future governments.
Whitehall Monitor 2023
How the civil service has changed and performed in 2023, and its priorities for the future.
Data sharing between national, devolved and local government
A summary of a roundtable discussion with public servants on data sharing between national, devolved and local government
The Zahawi row raises the case for temporary ministerial suspensions
A formal suspension mechanism for ministers could be useful but would have downsides.
The government needs to implement long-term policies that tackle obesity
Arguments over ‘cakegate’ should not distract from the government binning or delaying its key policies for tackling obesity.
Sunak’s slipping standards?
Tortoise’s Cat Neilan joins the IfG podcast team to take a closer look at the latest standards crisis.
The NHS crisis: Does the government have a plan?
The government's NHS crisis response is likely too little and too late for this winter.
Energy regulation requires trade-offs the regulator cannot make alone
Government must not cut Ofgem adrift in political seas.
Government is complicated – the IfG Academy can help you understand how it works
Understanding government is not always easy, either for people on the inside or those outside who want to influence it.