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Daniel Howes

@howesdaniel.bsky.social
212 followers 93 following 40 posts

Research assistant: civil service and public bodies, @instituteforgovernment.org.uk. Cymro

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Reposted by Daniel Howes
Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 21/09/2026
The ombuds system is fragmented, outdated and inaccessible. @drmatthewgill.bsky.social and @howesdaniel.bsky.social argue that the Ethics and Integrity Commission is right to review the ombuds landscape – and set out the opportunities for reform www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/eic-...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
The Ethics and Integrity Commission is right to review the ombuds landscape | Institute for Government
In April, the IfG gave evidence to the Ethics and Integrity Commission’s first review.
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Matthew Gill @drmatthewgill.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
1/5 The ombuds landscape needs an overhaul. @howesdaniel.bsky.social and I gave evidence to the Ethics and Integrity Commission, which is now published here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/eic-....
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
The Ethics and Integrity Commission is right to review the ombuds landscape | Institute for Government
In April, the IfG gave evidence to the Ethics and Integrity Commission’s first review.
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Heloise Dunlop @hcdunlop.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Following on from @jackworlidge.bsky.social's analysis, here are a few other interesting things to pull out from this year's civil service stats (1/3)
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Jack Burrows-Worlidge @jackworlidge.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
The civil service team at @instituteforgovernment.org.uk has been busy today crunching the numbers of the Cabinet Office's annual civil service statistics release... As ever, plenty of interest! Couple of bits below ⬇️
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Megan Bryer @meganbryer.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Burnham’s cabinet is the first to achieve gender parity. And the Office for Equality and Opportunity will move to the MHCLG with Bridget Phillipson remaining in post as Minister for Women and Equalities. Here’s our IfG breakdown of what yesterday’s announcements mean for women in government … 🧵
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
DSIT news is somewhat baffling. MoG changes are not to be taken lightly and can often do more harm than good. Expect disruption, a hit to morale and loss of productivity unless Burnham and co can articulate a clear vision for the new mega department www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Creating and dismantling government departments | Institute for Government
The direct costs of creating a new department start at £15 million.
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Heloise Dunlop @hcdunlop.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Good thread from @gavinfreeguard.com about the decision to split DSIT. It struggled with its ability to influence (esp. as digital centre of govt) across govt, hiring senior roles, and has just had a reorg with the move of GDS in 2024. But the new depts have big & more varied (& unrelated) briefs
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
DSIT news is somewhat baffling. MoG changes are not to be taken lightly and can often do more harm than good. Expect disruption, a hit to morale and loss of productivity unless Burnham and co can articulate a clear vision for the new mega department www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Creating and dismantling government departments | Institute for Government
The direct costs of creating a new department start at £15 million.
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Looking forward to this cracking lineup. Share with your networks and sign up below In person (apply for an invitation): instituteforgovernment.zohobackstage.eu/Regulationin... Online (open sign-up): www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/regula...
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Jack Burrows-Worlidge @jackworlidge.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
A bit of a side note, today of all days, but @instituteforgovernment.org.uk analysis of yesteday's civil service staff numbers showed the civil service is *still* growing. FTE numbers were up almost 2,800 in Q1 2026 compared to Q4 2025. Very much continuing the trend of recent years
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Save the date! 15th July: An absolutely chock-a-block half-day conference all about the future of regulation hosted at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk. Great speakers and timely topics - register to tune in online below. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/regula...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Regulation in a changing world: How to meet the needs of the future? | Institute for Government
A half-day conference bringing together experts from across government, industry and civil society to discuss the future of regulation in the UK.
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Cracking panel of IfG experts lined up to discuss the ongoing Westminster drama/farce at tomorrow's webinar. Do sign up and tune in at 10am. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/what-n...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Chaos returns to Westminster: What next for Keir Starmer and the government? | Institute for Government
An expert IfG webinar on the impact on government of Wes Streeting's resignation and Andy Burnham's Westminster ambitions.
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Really exciting news in the King’s Speech - delighted to see the govt adopting our ideas to legislate to strengthen and improve the civil service. Amid the political turbulence this should be a massive moment for government reform
"My Government will bring forward proposals that strengthen the delivery, accountability, innovation and productivity of the Civil Service. These proposals will also seek to safeguard its impartiality and core values, to enhance trust and confidence in the institutions of government.”
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Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
You don't *have* to speak a different UK language to work at IfG, but if you do you *will* get put in front of a camera. Fab work by @howesdaniel.bsky.social and @meganbryer.bsky.social! Any Cornish speakers out there?
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Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 23/04/2026
Mewn pythefnos, bydd pobl yng Nghymru yn mynd i bleidleisio yn y saethfed etholiad Seneddol ers sefydlu datganoli yn 1999. Mae @meganbryer.bsky.social a @howesdaniel.bsky.social yn esbonio beth sydd yn y fantol yn yr etholiadau yma www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/se...
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Hannah Keenan @hannahkeenan.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
There's so much to write about everything that's happening with Mandelson vetting fight (and always happy to explain the process, others have done so v well on here). But the v. aggressive approach from no10 is over the weekend is just so damaging - so have tried to capture some of that
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
The Mandelson vetting blame-game is causing serious damage to ministerial-civil service relations | Institute for Government
The sacking of Olly Robbins has been badly handled by Keir Starmer.
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
Three weeks to go until the Senedd Cymru elections What do we want? Welsh language content! When do we want it? Now! Very excited we’re publishing two comment pieces in Welsh about the election in the land of my fathers 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 @meganbryer.bsky.social @howesdaniel.bsky.social top translators
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
These blogs are but a small part of the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's wider coverage of the upcoming local and devolved elections - check out our central hub for loads more: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/our-work/top...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Local and devolved elections 2026 | Institute for Government
On Thursday 7 May, voters across Scotland, Wales and England head to the polls in a major set of local and devolved elections.
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
The second, by @timdurrant.bsky.social, sets out how new ministers in Scotland and Wales should learn from Labour's mistakes in 2024: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/article/comm... , www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/new-...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Dylai gweinidogion newydd yng Nghymru a’r Alban ar ôl etholiadau Mai ddysgu o gamgymeriadau Llafur yn 2024 | Institute for Government
Bydd angen i weinidogion newydd yng Nghaerdydd a Chaeredin fynd i’r afael â'r swydd yn gyflym.
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
The first, by @hannahkeenan.bsky.social discusses how the Welsh civil service should be preparing for what looks likely to be a change of gov, after decades of Labour dominance in Wales: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/article/comm..., www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/article/comm...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Rhaid i’r gwasanaeth sifil yng Nghymru fod yn barod ar gyfer newid sylweddol ar ôl etholiadau mis Mai | Institute for Government
Mae’r posibilrwydd o lywodraeth newydd yn galw am ffyrdd mwy hyblyg o feddwl a gweithio
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
In a first for the IfG, @meganbryer.bsky.social and I have translated two pieces about the upcoming Welsh and Scottish elections into Cymraeg! 1/🧵
media.tenor.com
a red dragon on a green and white flag
ALT: a red dragon on a green and white flag
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Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 26/03/2026
WEBINAR | A state rewired? Civil service size, shape, and turnover Tuesday 7 April, 12:30– 13:15 Join us for the first in a series of webinars exploring the findings of Whitehall Monitor 2026 and the context in which much needed strategic workforce planning should be taking place.
An image for an IfG event: 

A state rewired? Civil service size, shape, and turnover

Our first webinar in a three-part series focused on the findings of Whitehall Monitor 2026.

Tuesday 07 April 2026, 12:30 — 13:15 (BST)
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Helo Chris. Mae'n gwir mai gadael yr UE sydd yn gyfrifol am ran fawr o'r cynnydd mewn maint y gwasanaeth sifil ers 2016. Mae'r IfG wedi ysgrifennu llwyth ar effaith Brexit ar lywodraeth y DU, mae'n werth edrych ar ein gwefan os mae diddordeb gennyt ti.
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
For a more in-depth look at how civil service staff numbers have changed, you can find our updated explainer below: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/ci...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Civil service staff numbers | Institute for Government
Who exactly are civil servants and how many are there?
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Hi Colin, thanks for your comment - we initially had a similar thought here, but it seems like Cabinet Office reduction is organic, i.e. not due to MoG changes. The source file from the ONS will indicate if any increase/decrease is due to MoG, and in this case there was no such indication.
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
The largest absolute increase occurred at HMRC (the same as last quarter), but the largest proportional increase was at the Treasury. At the other end are the Cabinet Office and FCDO, which shrunk by 5.4% and 3.8% respectively - exit schemes kicking in perhaps?
A table from the Institute for Government showing how individual government departments changed between quarters 3 and 4 of 2025.
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
It's that time again... ONS Public Sector Employment dropped today, revealing a familiar pattern - the civil service just can't stop growing. An increase of 535 from Q3 2025 to Q4 2025 brings the total to 520,860 (FTE). @instituteforgovernment.org.uk
A line chart from the institute for Government showing how the size of the civil service has changed since 2009. It shrinks gradually to a minimum in 2016, but has been steadily increasing since then.
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Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 18/03/2026
What can the Foreign Office actually do when British nationals are caught up in a crisis overseas? @hcdunlop.bsky.social and @howesdaniel.bsky.social break down the support the UK can - and can’t - provide, and why expectations often exceed reality. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/article/expl...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
How does the Foreign Office help British nationals in a crisis? | Institute for Government
There are several ways the UK government steps in to help British nationals abroad.
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Stuart Hoddinott @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
The civil service people survey results are out DHSC has the largest drop in engagement (staff morale) among Whitehall departments, 6ppts from 63% to 57% The dept also had a *13 ppt* drop for its leadership and managing change theme Seems like NHS England abolition is causing serious discontent
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Hannah Keenan @hannahkeenan.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
New data! Looks like civil servants were about as happy in 2025 as they were in 2024 (which I think is quite impressive given big exit schemes happening) @instituteforgovernment.org.uk will be digging into the new civil service people survey scores to get under the skin of how CS are feeling...
A line chart from the Institute for Government of civil servant engagement, 2010 to 2025, where engagement rises from just under 50% to a peak in 2020. It then falls slightly for three consecutive years before rising slightly again in 2024 and staying the same in 2025.
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
More great analysis over at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk website, including this important comment from my colleagues in the civil service team on the big job Romeo is facing: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/anto...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Antonia Romeo needs to reinvigorate the civil service | Institute for Government
The cabinet secretary’s long-term success depends on her ability to reform the state.
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
Antonia Romeo, as well as being the first female cabinet secretary, will also be the fourth person to hold the position in the last 8 years. As the chart shows, such short recent tenures are atypical - and not ideal for enabling a permanent, impartial civil service. 1/
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Really enjoyed discussing what it's like being an @instituteforgovernment.org.uk researcher at the "Working in the think tank sector" event at @resolutionfoundation.org yesterday. Recording available below, with the "Day in a life" panel starting from 1:43. www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2S1...
youtube.com
Working in the think tank sector: Webinar for those interested in working in the sector
YouTube video by Resolution Foundation
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Absurd - Schrödinger’s cabinet secretary
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Alex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk conclusion on Chris Wormald’s time as cabinet secretary - and what needs to come next By me and @hannahkeenan.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/next...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Keir Starmer’s next cabinet secretary must learn the lessons from Chris Wormald’s mistakes | Institute for Government
The next cabinet secretary needs to be a far more visible civil service leader.
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
I'll be speaking on a panel at this event hosted by @resolutionfoundation.org in a couple of weeks, talking about what the day-to-day of a researcher at a think tank is like. Improving representation personally important to me so please do share! Sign up: www.resolutionfoundation.org/events/worki...
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Matthew Gill @drmatthewgill.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
1/8 It's good to see the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) receiving the attention it deserves. This explainer from @howesdaniel.bsky.social @instituteforgovernment.org.uk explains its role ⬇️. But John Fingleton's recent review of ONR raised regulatory issues that go beyond the sector. A thread...
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
Ever wondered who's keeping our nuclear power stations from melting down/blowing up? Or who decides where new reactors can and can't go? Or who stops nuclear material getting into the wrong hands? www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/of...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Office for Nuclear Regulation | Institute for Government
The Office for Nuclear Regulation's mission is to protect society by ensuring the safety of all nuclear operations. But how does it regulate?
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
1/ Today, we publish Whitehall Monitor 2026, the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's annual data-driven assessment of the size, shape and performance of the civil service. Key headlines about perm secs, size of CS and ALBs below 👇🧵 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Whitehall Monitor 2026 | Institute for Government
Labour’s efforts to ‘rewire the state’ aren’t addressing longstanding workforce problems.
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
6/ Check out the rest of Whitehall Monitor for analysis of political leadership, CS pay, morale, professions, digital & AI, major projects and more by my wonderful colleagues! www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Whitehall Monitor 2026 | Institute for Government
Labour’s efforts to ‘rewire the state’ aren’t addressing longstanding workforce problems.
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
5/ While the number of ALBs increased to 306 by end of FY 2024/25, total funding allotted to ALBs in 2023/24 (latest year of data) actually fell by 0.61% in real terms. This cut was felt across NDPBs whose funding decreased by 7.6%. Worth noting: 109 ALBs receive no govt funding at all
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
4/ The CS grew again in 2025 (520,440 FTE as of Q3), but growth was slower than 2024 (1% vs. 3.8%). This is due to fewer entrants as opposed to more leavers - probably b/c of short-term fixes like recruitment freezes. Govt will need to address structural issues for size to come down and stay down
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
3/ Perm secs remain incredibly experienced civil servants. Cab Sec Wormald became DG in 2006 and perm sec in 2012! However, new perm secs have some external experience (e.g. JRF, Goldman), showing value placed on bringing new ideas into the top positions. (PS do not ask how long this chart took me)
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
2/ Over 1/2 of all depts have new perm secs at the helm since GE 2024. While this scale of change is not unusual (9/16 dept heads changed in 2010), it does pose challenges as leaders get to grips with briefs. Add in Sep reshuffle and 5 depts have both new a SoS and perm sec (i.e. big big change!)
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
1/ Today, we publish Whitehall Monitor 2026, the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's annual data-driven assessment of the size, shape and performance of the civil service. Key headlines about perm secs, size of CS and ALBs below 👇🧵 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Whitehall Monitor 2026 | Institute for Government
Labour’s efforts to ‘rewire the state’ aren’t addressing longstanding workforce problems.
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
3 months ago I'd never heard of a permanent secretary - now I can name them all. All thanks to Whitehall Monitor! Huge props to @hannahkeenan.bsky.social for leading on this important project, and to the rest of the team for getting it over the line.
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
Tricky to disaggregate those two factors cleanly as they were both definite contributors, but the sharp increase in growth rate around 2020/21 is mostly due to Covid response - this added to an already-growing CS since Brexit in 2016. More here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/sites/defaul...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 22/12/2025
Christmas has come early! You can now read all about the new public bodies set up by Labour since coming to power, as well as the proposed bodies still in the works, in our updated tracker. #festive www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/pu...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Tracker: The government’s proposed new public bodies | Institute for Government
What were the public bodies promised in Labour’s election manifesto and what has been delivered since its entry into government?
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
For those eager to know more, here's the updated explainer, which goes into a bit more detail (i.e. more charts!): www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/ci... @instituteforgovernment.org.uk
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Civil service staff numbers | Institute for Government
Who exactly are civil servants and how many are there?
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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 17/12/2025
The updated Governance Code for Public Appointments is a major step forward - good to see many previous IfG recommendations taken on board. There is more to do, however, as shown by recent antics at DCMS. My and @drmatthewgill.bsky.social 's thoughts below👇
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