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...
NHS leaders and Wes Streeting should be alarmed by this. These figures point to a genuine collapse in NHS staff morale pretty much across the country - though with interesting variation too. E.g. what explains the v different figures in Norfolk and Suffolk?
As part of our series with devolved party leaders, @instituteforgovernment.org.uk is pleased to be hosting Reform UK leader in Scotland, Malcolm Offord, for an online-only conversation on Monday 16/3.
Sign up: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/lord-m...
And let me know what I should ask him!
I really enjoyed chairing this afternoon's event, with Plaid Cymru leader @rhunapiorwerth.bsky.social, on his plans for government
Do watch back at www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXM-...
How can mayors use investment powers to boost regional economies?
Our DevoLab#2 report, by @shawharriet.bsky.social @meganisaac.bsky.social and @akashpaun.bsky.social explores the tools available, what’s working, and what needs to change:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
At @instituteforgovernment.org.uk we're very excited to be working with @grantthorntonuk.bsky.social on a new event series on local government reorganisation. The first, on 26/2, asks how ministers should decide on the shape and size of new unitary authorities. Sign up to join in person or online 👇
Tim Allan only joined No10 in September last year as part of the most recent (very turbulent) 'reset'...
What tools do metro mayors have to drive regeneration, and how do mayoral development corporations fit in?
Our explainer sets out what MDCs are, the powers they hold, and where they’re being used.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/ma...
An image for an IfG event:In conversation with Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, Leader of Plaid Cymru Monday 02 March 2026, 12:30 — 13:30 (GMT)
EVENT | Ahead of the seventh election to Senedd Cymru, join us on Monday 2 March for an in conversation with @rhunapiorwerth.bsky.social.
The Leader of Plaid Cymru will discuss his plan for government and Plaid Cymru’s vision for the future of Wales www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/rhun-a...
The next set of mayoral elections will be more like a lottery as voters will have to guess who will make it into the Top Two and who they want/want to stop to be mayor. Lets have proper preferential voting now.
Did you get money on him at 29/1?
This is a well worth a read, though with respect to @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social, yes 30 January is far too late! (Maybe you meant Chinese New Year?)
Very exciting to see the latest publication in the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk #DevoLab series - spotlighting how devolution is enabling improvements in transport connectivity in Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region & West Yorkshire.
Many thanks to our partners Arup for their support.
🧵👇
I'm glad you have found it useful Nick. Without checking I don't know but you may well be correct. Jim was incredibly insightful on devolution and coalition dynamics, as well as the law, justice policy etc.
I am saddened to hear of the passing of Lord Wallace. Jim was a lovely man who welcomed me to his home in Orkney, and with whom I drank too much whisky several times, while putting the world to rights.
Jim's wise reflections on being a minister: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/ministers-re...
NEW | How devolution can improve transport connectivity
Our latest DevoLab briefing sets out three case studies showing how mayoral strategic authorities are ideally placed to help tackle England’s transport challenges www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
7/ For more analysis of the upcoming local, Scottish Parliament and Senedd elections, see our new elections hub:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/local-devolved-elections-2026
And follow our devolution team:
@akashpaun.bsky.social
@matthewfright.bsky.social
@shawharriet.bsky.social
Elections 2026: How could votes in England, Scotland and Wales reshape British politics?
The afternoon will crack on with a preview of the issues at stake in the hugely significant elections taking place across the UK in May 2026 @luketryl.bsky.social @akashpaun.bsky.social @cathhaddon.bsky.social
For those following the development of English mayoral #devolution, this is an interesting read from @instituteforgovernment.org.uk’s Mr Devolution @akashpaun.bsky.social on the recently announced postponement of mayoral elections in priority areas & the case for limiting any such delay to 2027
The decision to delay mayoral elections reflects poorly on the government, and is a disappointing step back in a policy area in which they had previously been making real progress.
More from @akashpaun.bsky.social, @matthewfright.bsky.social, @meganisaac.bsky.social and me, below 👇
Report | Learning from the DevoLab #1: How devolution can address health inequalities
This policy briefing presents three short case studies of how devolved powers have been used to address health inequalities.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Great new piece from @akashpaun.bsky.social on the decision to delay next year’s mayoral elections.
“even on the government's own terms… then the case for shifting these polls to 2027 is far stronger than delaying them until 2028”
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/mayo...
On Monday I was honoured to host the launch of the
@londonassembly.bsky.social new report on devolution, Trusting London to Deliver.
A valuable discussion about how we strengthen our city and ensure Londoners’ voices are heard.
@bassammahfouz.bsky.social @akashpaun.bsky.social
Akash Paun and Cllr Liam Robinson
At #Lab25? Our programme director @akashpaun.bsky.social is chatting with Cllr Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council @lpoolcityregion.bsky.social, about devolution and economic growth.
🗓 Join us in Meeting Room 11A in the ACC.
Our event at Reform U.K. starting with @akashpaun.bsky.social talking about the “messy” system of local government currently in the U.K. 14 mayors covering about 50% of U.K. the two or three tiers of loval govt made more confusing by other functions that don’t match to political boundaries.
I have not - but will do
It's a fair point - I'll keep it in mind in future. Cheers
Sorry to hear that. The focus was the publication of the English Devolution Bill so I thought in context it was fairly clear what we talking about.
Quote reading: “The government’s new framework for public service reform – focussing on integration, prevention and devolution – is spot on. Combined with higher capital investment, this has the potential to be transformational over the long-term. In the short-term, promising new initiatives will need to be scaled up quickly to deliver meaningful benefits by the end of this parliament.”
This is the first time I can remember that the tone of my quote has matched my beaming/smug photo
Aso published: More detail on how the integrated settlements and associated accountability frameworks will work.
I would *love* to see the tracked changes version of this paragraph. One can only imagine the back and forth between HMT and MHCLG (and the MCAs themselves?)