Research and analysis
We examine the questions that matter most for effective government.
Explore our research and analysis
Civil service cuts will force ministers to choose between painful options
A crude approach to cutting jobs will lead to false economies and a less efficient civil service
The Universal Credit end game is here – but it won't be easy
The end of the transition to Universal Credit is in sight, but its completion remains one of its biggest challenges
Five things we learned from the Queen’s Speech
The Institute for Government team runs the rule over the legislative programme set out in the Queen's Speech
The Queen’s Speech promises too much, too late
The government has promised more in the Queen’s Speech than it can plausibly deliver
Five things we learnt from the May 2022 elections
In advance of the elections, we asked five key questions about what the results might mean. Here we consider the answers.
The UK government must focus on Northern Ireland’s power-sharing not protocol posturing
Unilateral action by the UK government on the Northern Ireland protocol will only make power-sharing harder
The cabinet’s micro-measures fall short of easing the cost-of-living crisis
The government can do far more to help ease pressure on household budgets than brainstorming cost-neutral ideas
Neighbourhood services under strain
England’s most deprived areas were hit by the largest local authority spending cuts during a decade of austerity.
Partygate has become a major test for the constitution – and for Lord Geidt
The sidelining of Johnson’s ‘independent’ ethics adviser during partygate raises serious questions about the role – and the constitution
Local elections 2022
On 5 May, local elections will take place in England, Scotland and Wales.