New IfG report recommends devolving employment support. I think the case for this is very strong: if you look at a map of “where sickness related economic inactivity happens”, it is obvious that what you are seeing is primarily a problem of how local economies operate:
To register to vote (and check eligibility) head over to the electoral commission website at www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-e...
Many frontline public services are delivered by local councils. In England, local authorities spent £72.1bn (net current expenditure) on public services in 2023/24 (2025/26 prices). To see whether your council is up for election go to
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/lo...
Finally, local elections are being held for 4,851 council seats across 134 of England’s 317 councils. To see more about these elections check out this great summary here www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMev...
To read more about the powers of the Parliament and how the election will run head over to www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/sc...
The Scottish parliament has the power to legislate in most social policy areas including health and social care, education, and housing. Unlike its Welsh counterpart, the Scottish parliament is also responsible for policing, prisons, probation and the justice system as a whole.
The Scottish Parliament will be using the additional member system (AMS) giving each voter two votes. One for a constituency Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) elected under first past the post. The other vote for a regional vote used to 'top up' members to make the Parliament more proportional
The Senedd has power to make laws over many key areas including most aspects of health and social care, housing, education, language and culture, and local government. To read more on the full powers and how the next government will form go to www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/se...
An Institute for Government map showing the former constituency boundaries across 40 areas
An Institute for Government map showing the 16 constituencies in Wales
In Wales, as @meganisaac.bsky.social's explainer outlines the electoral system is changing. Now 96 Members of the Senedd (MSs) will be elected under a closed list proportional system. The number of constituencies will decrease from 40 to 16 with each constituency electing six MSs.
Voter registration closes tonight at 23:59 for the Senedd, Scottish Parliament and English local elections on 7 May. The @instituteforgovernment.org.uk has several great explainers outlining what is at stake in each election.
new online paper by @rosahodgkin.bsky.social @danhaile.bsky.social and me on how govt needs to get a grip of the economic consequences of the Iran war. Needs to stand up coordinating machinery - like Gordon Brown's National Economic Council www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
On Thursday 7 May, local elections will take place in many parts of England.
@meganisaac.bsky.social sets out where these elections will take place – and tells us what is at stake.
Read our explainer for more 👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/lo...
I agree with @timharford.ft.com and the govt could help by promoting ways of saving energy as prices rise - me and @rosahodgkin.bsky.social for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove....
Fine to say "don't panic" but not if it crowds out sensible messaging on how people can manage their energy use and reduce their bills. @rosahodgkin.bsky.social and my new blog for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...
And for a deeper dive into the practical implications and trade-offs facing local leaders as they build new unitary authorities and reshape services visit this recent IfG report here www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
To find out more about how to make a success of LGR head over to our dedicated webpage which outlines the details of our major new event series held in partnership with @grantthorntonuk.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/our-work/top...
Central government has a role too. As Jo Brown argued at our recent LGR panel event, government needs to explain how consultation feedback shaped decisions, be transparent about which criteria it prioritised, and strike the right balance between consistency and local identity.
Local leaders can take practical steps to foster collaboration: joint delivery teams, leader oversight forums, member implementation boards. And ensuring the right joint working groups are in place to draft coherent, collectively owned plans across outgoing and incoming councils.
This moment also calls for regrouping around the newly agreed boundaries - building strong, trusting relationships between political leaders and officers. These relationships will be crucial for a smooth and effective transition.
So far, LGR planning has been somewhat theoretical. Competing visions of future governance have made forward progress more difficult. But clearer boundaries will shift the conversation. The focus now: building new unitary authorities, seizing the opportunities of transition, and managing the risks.
Today’s update may give important insights into the government’s LGR approach: has it prioritised scale, economic geography or other criteria? Has it been consistent or opted for bespoke more tailored approach? The answers will have major implications for local leaders and officials.
These areas are operating on an accelerated devolution and LGR timetable (to find out more about the DPP check out this @instituteforgovernment.org.uk explainer: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/article/expl...)
Ministers are set to update Parliament on local government reorganisation (LGR) later today - a major milestone. With decisions likely on the final boundaries for areas in the government’s devolution priority programme - Sussex & Brighton, Hampshire & the Solent, Greater Essex and Norfolk & Suffolk
The back-and-forth over election timings has been bad for central and local government alike.
@akashpaun.bsky.social and @matthewfright.bsky.social argue that ministers should lose their sweeping powers to delay local elections www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/mini...
The cancellation then reinstatement of this year’s local elections in 30 council areas highlights that ministers have too much power over local democracy. This should change, argue @akashpaun.bsky.social and @matthewfright.bsky.social
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/mini...
A big moment. As @rebeccamckee.bsky.social outlines the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk and others have long argued for stronger fiscal devo. The Chancellor's proposals for a roadmap for fiscal devo creates real opportunities for improved economic outcomes.
Today 1230-1330, Malcolm Offord, leader of Reform UK Scotland is speaking at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk - online signup details are outlined below.
To see other recent interviews with Scottish party leaders head over to www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/our-work/top...
NEW REPORT: The government’s proposed reforms to criminal trials risk tilting the system too far towards speed over fairness and justice, and could lead to further declines in performance and productivity.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Fantastic to see both of the brilliant @emmanorris.bsky.social and @gemmatetlow.bsky.social recognised in this year's Women in Westminster top 100.
Both are incredibly impressive colleagues and I've learnt so much from them. www.politicshome.com/in-focus/wiw...
A quote from Dan Haile, IfG senior economist "Despite lots of moving parts, the OBR forecast for the UK economy and the public finances hasn’t changed much. However, international events will continue to pose risks which is why the chancellor was right to build up more of a buffer against her fiscal rules last November and to preserve that buffer today."
What did we learn from the OBR's forecast?
@danhaile.bsky.social gives his reaction to the 2026 spring forecast and tells us why the chancellor was right to preserve a buffer against her fiscal rules.
More analysis to follow www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/spring-forec...
