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Jill Rutter

@jillongovt.bsky.social
33K followers 402 following 1.7K posts

Senior Fellow, Institute for Government and still doing bits for UK in a Changing Europe. Cricket fan and (not very good) tennis player.

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Reposted by Jill Rutter
Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 21h
Andy Burnham has opened the door to EU membership. But that does not mean the prime minister will find it easy to build consensus. Read the latest from @jillongovt.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/andy...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Andy Burnham has opened the door to EU membership | Institute for Government
It is far from clear that there is a path to a consensus on Europe.
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Paddy McAlary @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
While the Conservatives are making their pitch in Birmingham spare a thought for Kemi Badenoch's (pretty large) shadow frontbench team For the ups (and downs) of shadow ministerial life on the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Substack👇👇 instituteforgov.substack.com/p/kemi-baden...
instituteforgov.substack.com
Kemi Badenoch’s front bench casts a long shadow
Patrick McAlary sees a shadow minister at every turn
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Jill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
You might hate the Environment Agency and Natural England - but am not sure how good your evidence base is that there is a latent majority for poorer air quality, more pollution and (even more) destruction of nature #CPC2026 - and homes that are going to require big retrofits
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Jonathan Jones @sirjjkc.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
I’ve lost track of the number of “red tape challenges” I’ve lived through - commitments to “slash regulations”, “roll back the frontiers of the state”, blah blah. Sure have a go. Repealing obscure, already obsolete rules doesn’t count
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Seb Schmoller @schmoller.net · 03/10/2026
The clearest thing I've read so far on the rationale for and impact of ending the state pension triple lock, by @torstenbell.bsky.social: torstenbell.substack.com/p/the-future...
torstenbell.substack.com
The Future of the Triple Lock
The questions I’ve been asked most after Andy Burnham’s speech - and what the answers are.
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Jill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Brave, prime minister. @andyburnham.bsky.social has opened the door to a debate about the UK's future relationship with the EU. He may be setting off on a long and winding road to get back in... me for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/andy...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Andy Burnham has opened the door to EU membership | Institute for Government
It is far from clear that there is a path to a consensus on Europe.
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UK in a Changing Europe @ukandeu.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
💥 Brexit's back, and here's your weekend reading list: 👓 Our report on the UK's future EU options: ow.ly/Liph50ZTVv8 👓 Anand Menon on the need for a better quality of debate: ow.ly/r6Cr50ZTVzU 👓 Joël Reland on why the costs of Brexit could grow: ow.ly/G4fU50ZTVv6
ow.ly
Ten years on: What next for UK-EU relations? - UK in a changing Europe
This report highlights the ‘stark divide’ between the economic impact of Brexit and the government’s proposed response, and sets out a ‘staircase’ of options for the future relationship.
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Simon Usherwood @simonusherwood.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Does the EU want Britain back? Yes, but not at any price Good read giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
giftarticle.ft.com
Does the EU want Britain back?
Burnham has reopened the Brexit debate. That doesn’t mean the UK will be welcomed back on its own terms
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Jill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
SV is a worse form of AV because you have to guess who will make it into the final two (we should have AV for mayoral elections). Not fit for multi-party competition where that is harder
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Jill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Oh God.. they have let @anandmenon.bsky.social back on tik tok. @andyburnham.bsky.social what have you done?
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Jill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Have long been critical of the MCC for the slow pace of women's admission. But when members' clubs want to catch up and compensate for historic discrimination, Sex Discrimination Law should let them. Looks like a good bit of private member's legislation to me. (£) www.thetimes.com/sport/cricke...
thetimes.com
MCC forced to drop plan to fast-track female membership
The club, which owns Lord’s, wanted women to jump the waiting list but lawyers said it would fall foul of discrimination law
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Jill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Brave, prime minister. @andyburnham.bsky.social has opened the door to a debate about the UK's future relationship with the EU. He may be setting off on a long and winding road to get back in... me for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/andy...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Andy Burnham has opened the door to EU membership | Institute for Government
It is far from clear that there is a path to a consensus on Europe.
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Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 02/10/2026
Andy Burnham's plan to set out long-term options for the UK's future relationship with the EU marks a big break with Keir Starmer, argues @jillongovt.bsky.social, but this does not mean he will find it easy to build consensus. Read the full comment: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/andy...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Andy Burnham has opened the door to EU membership | Institute for Government
It is far from clear that there is a path to a consensus on Europe.
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Hetan Shah @hetanshah.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Apply for our fantastic global innovation fellowship where you could be based at @carnegieendowment.org (in Washington DC, Brussels, Berlin, Beirut or Singapore). Awards are for up to £150k www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/funding/sche...
Global Innovation
Fellowships:
Carnegie
Endowment for International Peace
2026
The objective of the Global Innovation Fellowships is to provide opportunities to UK-based early- and mid-career researchers from across the humanities and social sciences to develop their skills, networks and careers in the creative and cultural, public, private and policy sectors to address challenges that require innovative approaches and solutions.
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Matthew Gill @drmatthewgill.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
@instituteforgovernment.org.uk has a really stellar line-up to debate the relationship between ministers and public bodies at Conservative conference next week. If you're in Birmingham and interested in how arms-length government works, you shouldn't miss this. Hope to see you there!
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Jacob Öberg @profjacob.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
🚨🚨Under-reported but strikingly radical #enlargement proposal from the @ec.europa.eu where the EU would offer unprecedented "gradual integration" into the EU SM and access to research programs for candidate countries, while their applications are being worked on. www.politico.eu/article/ursu...
politico.eu
EU to offer single-market access to candidate countries
Economic benefits would be conditional and can be taken away if non-members backslide on democracy or share sensitive tech with unfriendly governments, the plan says.
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Jill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Interesting.. also worth clicking through to the piece about Mamdani and his PITCrew
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Jill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
another excellent blog by @jreland.bsky.social - as bloc competition/tensions rise, the cost of being outside a bloc does too......
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Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 01/10/2026
The triple lock on the State Pension is a terribly designed policy that manages to both under-deliver and over-cost. The money saved from adjusting it could be far better spent elsewhere ⤵️ buff.ly/dviy5zU
David Willetts, President of the Resolution Foundation, said: 
“The Prime Minister deserves credit for announcing what many politicians have been saying in private for some time – that the triple lock is unsustainable and needs to go. Continuing with the policy into the next parliament and beyond could end up costing tens of billions of pounds a year – money that could be far better spent elsewhere.”
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UCL Constitution Unit @conunitucl.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
How should a national commission on electoral reform be designed? On Tuesday, the Prime Minister announced a national commission on electoral reform. @alanrenwick.bsky.social argues that such a body should have three key features, and emphasises the care that should be taken. Read it 👇️
blogs.ucl.ac.uk
How should a national commission on electoral reform be designed?
On Tuesday, the Prime Minister announced a national commission on electoral reform. In this article originally published in the Conversation UK, Alan Renwick explains that such a body should secure public involvement, not aim for a particular result and listen to the experts. He also emphasises that any change to the electoral system should be carried out with the greatest possible care.
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Stuart Hoddinott @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
NEW: Burnham made a strong case for adult social care reform at conference, but pushed the National Care Service into next parliament I argue he should get on with it, use his majority and 2024 mandate and establish the NCS in this parliament 👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/article/comm...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Andy Burnham should establish the National Care Service this parliament | Institute for Government
There is no reason to delay plans for potentially three years.
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Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Good piece this on the runners and riders to be the Mayor of London in 2028.
londoncentric.media
Who wants to be mayor of London?
When will Sadiq Khan make his decision? • Who wants the job? • Why is a candidate promising cheap gym membership?
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Jill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Must read for everyone struggling to understand the Burnham announcement on the triple lock yesterday ....
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Jill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Totally agree with my @instituteforgovernment.org.uk colleague @jackworlidge.bsky.social on this. It is SO enlightening to see ministers among activists/supporters etc and to understand the pressures they are under..
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Alex Clegg @alexclegg.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Our report from June explains how the replacement for the triple lock will work (we called it a 'smoothed' triple lock). It's a much better policy than the current triple lock - State Pension is protected from inflation spikes and tracks earnings long term, but the expensive ratchet is removed.
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Jill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
and your quick reminder to multiply all NI numbers by c25 to get the England share equivalent... then it becomes BIG money - a cool £ 37bn might help with quite a lot of stuff.... (even bigger to get UK equivalent)
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Joël Reland @jreland.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
What's that Andy? You want to look at the different options for the UK's relationship with the EU? If only someone had set them out already... ukandeu.ac.uk/introducing-...
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Jill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
so the good news is that @andyburnham.bsky.social has made clear what he proposes to do (well done for shifting the debate) -- but it still does not generate enough to pay for social care.... or to fix the public finances
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Jill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The Treasury underestimated the impact of the triple lock was that they did not anticipate the seesaw between inflation and earnings. That is what has led to the big rise in spending and the pension growing well ahead of earnings. There are proposals around to ensure it grows with earnings.
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UK in a Changing Europe @ukandeu.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
🎉NEW REPORT OUT🎉 ⬅️The latest edition of the UK-EU divergence tracker by @jreland.bsky.social is here ➡️ "There is plenty happening on the continent which is going to have a profound effect on the UK, whether [the UK] pays attention or not." ukandeu.ac.uk/reports/uk-e...
ukandeu.ac.uk
UK-EU Divergence Tracker Q2 - Q3 2026 - UK in a changing Europe
This is the seventeenth edition of UK in a Changing Europe’s regulatory divergence tracker, outlining how UK and EU rules and regulations have aligned and diverged in the period April-September 2026.
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Dan Neidle @danneidle.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Luxury retailers want taxpayers to fund a 20% tax break for foreign tourists. They paid consultancy Cebr to claim this will raise £2.6bn for the UK. That convinced Sadiq Khan and Kemi Badenoch. But it's false: a free lunch. Four basic errors mask a £600m loss. Thread:
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Jill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Ok - if you decide the triple lock is unaffordable, scrapping it to pay for another massive spending programme which will grow like topsy does not solve your fiscal problems. Yes - it reduces the fiscal problem compared to triple lock PLUS social care, but you will still have to find more money
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Jill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I might add - be realistic about pros and cons of future relationship with the EU (Reynolds good on that on BBC Question Time) and don't chase Blair (or indeed Starmer/Reeves) unicorns around Liverpool.
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Ben Paxton @drbenpaxton.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
The health and disability benefits system for all working-age adults whose health limits their ability to work needs reform. More on how politicians should go about delivering it in our report published today www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Designing better incapacity benefits | Institute for Government
Personalising benefits and support is key to helping disabled people into work.
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Sam McBride @sjamcbride.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
New Secretary of State Sir Chris Bryant is picking up where his predecessors left off. He's now offering Stormont an extra £1.5bn. This effectively vindicates ministers' refusal to budget. Why not do the same next year, and the year after that? All the tough talk meant nothing.
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Matthew Holehouse @matthewholehouse.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
France's Haddad notably open about rejoin chatter on a visit to London. "It would make all of us stronger... Macron was quite blunt, the EU was stronger when the UK was in it. There's no ambiguity." But he warns it would be "much more fraught" if Britain sought sui generis membership.
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Giles Wilkes @gilesyb.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
"What the west has is a followership problem. Voters reject policies — however objectively necessary — that cost them anything. One result is huge levels of government debt" www.ft.com/content/67f1...
ft.com
The west does not have a leadership problem
If Friedrich Merz and almost everyone else is unpopular, perhaps governments aren’t the issue
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Hannah Keenan @hannahkeenan.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
New substack out for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk - just in case you're interested in comparing Chris Wormald's £859,496 to some other recent Whitehall departees...
instituteforgov.substack.com
Thank you for your service
Is the recently departed cabinet secretary's exit payment unusually high?
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Ben Zaranko @benzaranko.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
One day, our political parties will face reality and stop making farcical, unserious promises to voters -- promises which entrench the delusion that we can enjoy lower taxes and better public services without ever having to pay more, even amidst the crisis-strewn 2020s. But today is not that day.
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Jill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
In which @tompope.bsky.social shows he too has drunk the Manchester Kool-Aid.. is Manchesterism an infectious disease.. long live @instituteforgovernment.org.uk North (though admit it - Merseyside is better...)
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Thomas Pope @tompope.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
My latest for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk is a reflection on what No.10 North and devo might mean for policy eco-systems outside London (and specifically in Manchester). Reflections based on my 4 years living in Manchester working for a think tank instituteforgov.substack.com/p/on-no10-no...
instituteforgov.substack.com
On No.10 North and the Manchester policy ecosystem
Tom Pope, the IfG’s Manchester correspondent, is optimistic about the future of UK politics’ self-styled second city
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Dan Neidle @danneidle.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Nick Candy and Holly Valance. Britain’s most expensive house. A £265m sale. Usual consequence: £32m of stamp duty. But five small flats were included in the sale. By an extraordinary happy accident, that cut the tax by £18.5m. The curious sale of Nick Candy’s mansion A 🧵:
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Alan Beattie @alanbeattie.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Will keep boringly saying this (no disrespect to OP): it's not a health surcharge. It's not hypothecated to the NHS; you can't choose not to pay it and thereby eschew healthcare. You could equally call it an education or roads surcharge. It's using the NHS's sanctified status to rip off immigrants.
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Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 22/09/2026
If the PM and chancellor are (finally) alive to the challenges facing them, then they must deliver a budget that meets them head on. This means presenting a coherent strategy for fiscal policy for the rest of this parliament and beyond www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/burn...
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Burnham and Healey must avoid the budget mistakes of Starmer and Reeves | Institute for Government
The chancellor should take difficult decisions at the budget rather than ducking tough choices.
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Jill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Interesting piece from @dan-goss.bsky.social for @demos-uk.bsky.social on the need for a DOGE for tax .... www.arguably.uk/p/why-burnha...
arguably.uk
Why Burnham needs a ‘DOGE on tax’
Labour should reset an unfair and inefficient system
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Dan Neidle @danneidle.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
A new challenge: how stupid an idea can anyone send to the Prime Minister that will still generate a Telegraph headline?
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George Eaton @georgeeaton.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Lib Dem pledge to cut fuel duty by 10p is depressingly bad policy: poorly targeted, expensive (£5bn), and it weakens incentives to switch to EVs and reduce usage.
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Jill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
sensible stuff.. but shouldn't it be the 2035 Prosperity Alliance (at least) - 2030 is pretty close @pjtheeconomist.bsky.social
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Dan Neidle @danneidle.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Why do so many care about inheritance tax when fewer than 5% of estates pay it? Because that statistic counts the dead. Our new model counts living pensioner households instead. 20% have enough assets to face the tax. Over 50% in parts of London. Thread:
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Jill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
When @andyburnham.bsky.social talks up Manchesterism - is he thinking of this? A shopping aisle between "medicinal" and "Hosiery" in the Cairns Woolworths?
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