Philip Nye @philipnye.bsky.social · 08/09/2026Making it 16 months in total since the departure of the last permanent holder of the office The government had previously given the recruitment of a Nat Stat as something to achieve before recruiting a UK Statistics Authority chair (now also without a permanent occupant in 12 months) 021
Reposted by Philip NyeMegan Bryer @meganbryer.bsky.social · 29/07/2026One week in and Andy Burnham's government is up and running. So who are the new ministers and what do Burnham's appointments tell us about how he wants to run his govt? Here's our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk top 6 takeaways - with @rebeccamckee.bsky.social and @philipnye.bsky.social 🧵...instituteforgovernment.org.ukSix things we learned from Andy Burnham’s government formation | Institute for GovernmentWhat do Andy Burnham’s cabinet choices reveal about the priorities and direction of his new government? 275
Reposted by Philip NyeRebecca McKee @rebeccamckee.bsky.social · 29/07/2026We've crunched the numbers on Burnham's new government to bring you up to speed with the new faces around the cabinet table, and what Burnham's choices tell us about how he wants to run his government. New from @meganbryer.bsky.social, @philipnye.bsky.social and I 👇👇instituteforgovernment.org.ukSix things we learned from Andy Burnham’s government formation | Institute for GovernmentWhat do Andy Burnham’s cabinet choices reveal about the priorities and direction of his new government? 0118
Philip Nye @philipnye.bsky.social · 24/07/2026I’ve now made a full-government version of this Of the 92 MPs in Burnham’s government, 11 represent constituencies in Greater Manchester The north west has 16 in total, equalling the number from London and Yorkshire and the Humber 146
Reposted by Philip NyeRebecca McKee @rebeccamckee.bsky.social · 24/07/2026It's been a busy week in government, and at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk We've been keeping up with the key moves and announcements this week, so you don't have to Here's a round up of my top picks of analysis from my excellent colleagues 🧵instituteforgovernment.org.ukHe wants to be adored – Burnham’s people-pleasing policy debut | Institute for GovernmentThe Manchester Mill's Joshi Herrman joins the podcast team to explore Andy Burnham's first week as prime minister. 198
Reposted by Philip NyeRebecca McKee @rebeccamckee.bsky.social · 23/07/2026New @instituteforgovernment.org.uk comment from me and @aliceolilly.bsky.social Burnham is right to identify parliament as a source of useful scrutiny rather than a problem to be managed, but fixing relations with MPs will require more than warm words and should be backed by bigger changes.instituteforgovernment.org.ukFixing relations with MPs will require more than warm words from Andy Burnham | Institute for GovernmentAndy Burnham should be prepared to redistribute power in Parliament. 1109
Reposted by Philip NyeAlan Smith @theboysmithy.ft.com · 21/07/2026By my reckoning the median latitude of the cabinet has shifted north from Wolverhampton/Leicester to betwixt Sheffield and Knowsley ... 3144
Reposted by Philip NyeHeloise Dunlop @hcdunlop.bsky.social · 21/07/2026Good 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 196
Philip Nye @philipnye.bsky.social · 21/07/2026A landmark moment, as the cabinet reaches gender parity for the first time 1117
Reposted by Philip NyeAlex Thomas @alexgathomas.bsky.social · 21/07/2026Major machinery of govt changes including - finally! - the creation of an Office for the Prime Minister and Cabinet Long overdue and excellent news that the Burnham govt has grasped this nettle questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...questions-statements.parliament.ukWritten statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK ParliamentInformation from UK Parliament on written questions & answers, written statements and daily reports. 57134
Reposted by Philip NyeRebecca McKee @rebeccamckee.bsky.social · 21/07/2026Andy Burnham is holding his first cabinet meeting as prime minister and there are a few new faces around the table. Key appointments were confirmed late yesterday, so we've updated our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk chart to show where we currently stand with ministerial appointments 👇 1157
Philip Nye @philipnye.bsky.social · 21/07/2026One question that’s come up a couple of times: where do Andy Burnham’s new cabinet represent as MPs? The north west has been the big gainer, with seven cabinet ministers holding seats there – of whom, five are in Greater Manchester 82615
Philip Nye @philipnye.bsky.social · 20/07/2026As cabinet appointments start to come in, a reminder that we (@instituteforgovernment.org.uk) hold a database of all ministerial appointments back to 1979 It's easy to look up all the previous holders of a post, all the roles someone has had etc: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/ministers-da...instituteforgovernment.org.ukIfG Ministers Database | Institute for GovernmentSearch our database of all government ministers since 1979. 34928
Reposted by Philip NyeJill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 20/07/2026Its a sad ending for Britain's first woman Chancellor (as Theresa May once said - hopefully not the last) as Rachel Reeves returns to the backbenches. But she bears a lot of the responsibility for the failures of the Starmer government. The biggest mistakes were before the 2024 election 215427
Reposted by Philip NyeRebecca McKee @rebeccamckee.bsky.social · 20/07/2026The two ministers who have resigned today were both direct ministerial appointments (appointed to the Lords by Starmer to serve in government) As PM Starmer appointed ten of these - you can read more about these posts and how they're appointed in our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk explainerinstituteforgovernment.org.ukDirect ministerial appointments to the House of Lords | Institute for GovernmentIf the prime minister wants to appoint a minister who is not a sitting MP or serving peer, they must ennoble them. 42011
Reposted by Philip NyeAmber Dellar @amberdellar.bsky.social · 20/07/2026Good news, and... One of the big positives in the Starmer govt’s approach was its move beyond a narrow focus on rough sleeping. Burnham should make sure this pledge sits within a broader prevention strategy - not simply drive more spending on poor-value temporary accommodation to meet the target 12410
Reposted by Philip NyeInstitute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 20/07/2026For updates on ministerial changes including 'the' IfG chart follow @rebeccamckee.bsky.social, @meganbryer.bsky.social & @philipnye.bsky.social who will be keeping a close eye on who's who and what this means in government www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/burn...instituteforgovernment.org.ukBurnham’s first reshuffle should resist a sweeping change of junior ministers | Institute for GovernmentBeyond refreshing his Cabinet, keeping most ministers in their current roles is Burnham’s best chance of getting things done in government. 102
Reposted by Philip NyeRebecca McKee @rebeccamckee.bsky.social · 20/07/2026Ahead of Burnham's first speech as PM here's the latest from @instituteforgovernment.org.uk on how he can hit the ground running ✅A 25 point plan for tackling the big issues in the civil service, centre of gvt, public services, constitutional reform and the skills he needs to show from the startinstituteforgovernment.org.ukThe next prime minister: How can Andy Burnham hit the ground running? | Institute for GovernmentA 25-point plan for Andy Burnham as he succeeds Keir Starmer in No.10. 025
Reposted by Philip NyeCassia Rowland @cassiarowland.bsky.social · 20/07/2026Move increases the chances of a whole new ministerial team at MoJ, with Lammy widely expected to lose his role as justice secretary. The most damning thing is that by staying for two years, Timpson has become the longest serving prisons minister *for 15 years*. This level of turnover is so damaging! 520241
Reposted by Philip NyeRebecca McKee @rebeccamckee.bsky.social · 20/07/2026No live blog from us today, instead we'll be bringing you expert insights and analysis from across the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk - starting with this from @cassiarowland.bsky.social who leads our work on criminal justice 042
Reposted by Philip NyeAlice Lilly @aliceolilly.bsky.social · 15/07/2026It's England's world cup semi-finals day. Forget team selection dilemmas and xG analysis. What you really want is a really nerdy deep-dive into football, pub opening hours, and what they tell you about the most important form of legislation that you may never have heard of. Let's go. 23622
Reposted by Philip NyeAmber Dellar @amberdellar.bsky.social · 15/07/2026NEW REPORT: how to make a success of SEND reform Government needs to get off the sidelines and build a SEND system that makes it easier for schools, councils and health services to work together. Our new report sets out how 🧵instituteforgovernment.org.ukJoining up SEND | Institute for GovernmentHow to begin fixing SEND by making the system more joined-up. 42115
Philip Nye @philipnye.bsky.social · 02/07/2026There are risks to the 2031 Census because of challenges the ONS is still grappling with, the interim chair of the UK Stats Authority is to warn today, according to FT reporting www.ft.com/content/e99c... 001
Reposted by Philip NyeCassia Rowland @cassiarowland.bsky.social · 02/07/2026NEW REPORT: How to deliver digital transformation in public services. Successive governments have looked to digital solutions for problems facing public services – with varying success. We’ve looked at past examples and drawn out 7 lessons for people working on future programmes:instituteforgovernment.org.ukHow to deliver digital transformation in public services | Institute for GovernmentA practical guide to improve the design and delivery of digital transformation programmes in public services. 2139
Reposted by Philip NyePaddy McAlary @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social · 22/06/2026With another prime minister being forced to resign it is worth looking at the role in the context of recent history Since Brown took power in 2007 there has been seven (soon to be eight) PMs - compare that to the previous 30 odd years where the UK had only 3 PMs @instituteforgovernment.org.uk 12713
Reposted by Philip NyeJack Burrows-Worlidge @jackworlidge.bsky.social · 22/06/2026With Burnham's route to No10 looking far clearer, a lot more thought will be going into what he'll do once there. So @cathhaddon.bsky.social and I have set out for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk what prep for government involves & why it's harder for leadership contenders than opposition parties👇 033
Reposted by Philip NyeJack Burrows-Worlidge @jackworlidge.bsky.social · 19/06/2026A 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 436
Reposted by Philip NyeMegan Bryer @meganbryer.bsky.social · 11/06/2026Defence secretary John Healey has just resigned over the govt's Defence Investment Plan, writing that it "falls well short of what is required for defence and the country at this dangerous time". We're getting our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk resignation chart fired back up.. 34330
Reposted by Philip NyeRebecca McKee @rebeccamckee.bsky.social · 13/05/20264 quick thoughts on the King's Speech 1) It's BIG - 37 bills in the background briefing including carried over and draft bills Very unusual for a second parliamentary session - it's very unlikely all of these will end up on the statute book by the end of the session 13926
Reposted by Philip NyeStuart Hoddinott @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social · 27/03/2026NEW REPORT: the government claims that it wants public services to be more devolved, better integrated, and more focused on prevention With a raft of reform programmes now underway in services, are they on track to achieve those aims? www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...instituteforgovernment.org.ukDevolution, integration, prevention: Do the government’s public service reform plans add up? | Institute for GovernmentThere is a mismatch between the government's stated aims for public service reform and how departments are driving change. 358
Philip Nye @philipnye.bsky.social · 18/03/2026Chinese agents must be discovering the pleasures of delayed responses, incorrectly applied exemptions and lengthy appeals 150
Reposted by Philip NyeInstitute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 03/03/2026What 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... 114
Reposted by Philip NyeStuart Hoddinott @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social · 27/02/2026The 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 1910
Reposted by Philip NyeAmber Dellar @amberdellar.bsky.social · 26/02/2026We're developing recommendations for central government to support better coordination in the SEND system. Have a read of the comment if you'd like a taste of some of the issues we'll be thinking about, and if you have any thoughts please get in touch! 167
Philip Nye @philipnye.bsky.social · 27/02/2026🚨 Results from the 2025 Civil Service People Survey have been published Last year these showed deteriorating morale at the Office for National Statistics – especially around change management The 2025 results show a slight further dip in overall morale - but bad results again on change mgmt (1/3) 144
Reposted by Philip NyeJack Burrows-Worlidge @jackworlidge.bsky.social · 26/02/2026We've got the full picture of what happened across the main themes in the people survey here 👇 A notable increase of almost 3 percentage points in officials' satisfaction with their pay and benefits And the fifth(!) consecutive year of falling satisfaction with 'leadership and managing change' 031
Reposted by Philip NyeHannah Keenan @hannahkeenan.bsky.social · 26/02/2026New 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... 285
Reposted by Philip NyeMartha Ford @martha-ford.bsky.social · 25/02/2026New comment from @danhaile.bsky.social, @jillongovt.bsky.social and me on why next Tuesday's spring forecast should ideally be a fiscal "non-event". We don't expect major shifts in the economic outlook, and so shouldn't see the "knee-jerk" policy responses of past spring statements. 0118
Reposted by Philip NyeInstitute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 24/02/2026Will Rachel Reeves’s 2026 spring forecast be as low key as promised? @danhaile.bsky.social @martha-ford.bsky.social @jillongovt.bsky.social assess whether the chancellor will be able to avoid creating headlines and what we might expect on 3 March www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...instituteforgovernment.org.ukWill Rachel Reeves’s 2026 spring forecast be as low key as promised? | Institute for GovernmentThe government is right to approach 3 March as a fiscal ‘non-event’. 112
Reposted by Philip NyeInstitute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 20/02/2026Looking to kickstart your career in communications? Applications are now open for our 2026-27 Communications Internship, starting in September 2026. ⏰Closing date: Monday 9 March at 10:00am Find out more www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/about-us/car... 004
Philip Nye @philipnye.bsky.social · 29/01/2026Great new explainer on the May elections from our devo team - full of charts and maps @meganisaac.bsky.social @matthewfright.bsky.social @akashpaun.bsky.social 054
Reposted by Philip NyeJack Burrows-Worlidge @jackworlidge.bsky.social · 13/01/2026Analysis of government spending on consultancy services has become a solid feature of Whitehall Monitor (2026 edition out today!) in recent years. This year it's particularly pertinent given the government's focus on cutting spending. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...instituteforgovernment.org.ukWhitehall Monitor 2026 | Institute for GovernmentLabour’s efforts to ‘rewire the state’ aren’t addressing longstanding workforce problems. 153
Reposted by Philip NyeHeloise Dunlop @hcdunlop.bsky.social · 13/01/2026This year's Whitehall Monitor deep dive into how the civil service is looking under this govt reveals familiar and longstanding problems. This govt has strongly advocated for digital transformation and AI to boost productivity - but it's not clear it's going about it in the right way (1/3) 101
Reposted by Philip NyeBen Paxton @drbenpaxton.bsky.social · 13/01/2026Government is looking for efficiencies within its tight spending plans: 16% back office cuts, 'technical' efficiencies as big as the MoJ budget (£13.8bn) and a reheated Sunak-era blanket 5% savings target Some thoughts on how these all add up from the IfG's Whitehall Monitor report out today... 188
Reposted by Philip NyeHannah Keenan @hannahkeenan.bsky.social · 13/01/2026👇In which I explain that while civil service reform may not be the most glamorous thing a government could focus on, they absolutely need to do it. A year and a half on from entering gov the civil service hasn't meaningfully changed. Gov needs a plan to make that happen.politicshome.comThe government promised to rewire the British state – so, where is the plan?If you were disappointed with your presents this Christmas, spare a thought for the recipient of one of the more formidable festive gifts of recent... 11512
Philip Nye @philipnye.bsky.social · 13/01/2026We’ve today published Whitehall Monitor 2026 As well as being your guide to whether Labour is making progress on rewiring the state (A: definitely still a work in progress) it also contains some fantastic data viz Some of my highlights 🧵 175
Reposted by Philip NyeHannah Keenan @hannahkeenan.bsky.social · 13/01/2026📢NEW REPORT📢 Every year @instituteforgovernment.org.uk sets out the latest on the civil service - size, professions, pay, morale. You name it, we analyse it. This year's report is out today. If you're interested in state capacity, you should be interested in what's happening in the civil service. 🧵instituteforgovernment.org.ukWhitehall Monitor 2026 | Institute for GovernmentLabour’s efforts to ‘rewire the state’ aren’t addressing longstanding workforce problems. 11817
Reposted by Philip NyeSophie Metcalfe @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social · 17/12/2025NEW report from @nehaldavison.bsky.social and I. Why have successive governments failed to tackle persistent inequalities in early years outcomes? We set out 5 systemic policy making failures that lead to some children being 'left behind'. 🧵⬇️ www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...instituteforgovernment.org.ukPolicy making blind spots | Institute for GovernmentThe systemic policy-making failures that have contributed to a sharp ‘cliff-edge’ in attainment levels. 21611
Reposted by Philip NyeToby Nangle @tobyn.bsky.social · 27/11/2025Nice dataviz from the ONS showing median wealth split by category at different points of the distribution: www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula... 54017
Reposted by Philip NyeInstitute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 27/11/2025Autumn budget 2025: What did we learn from Rachel Reeves’ announcements? From tax rises to OBR forecasts and cost of living, our IfG experts give their verdict on the chancellor’s plans www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/autu...instituteforgovernment.org.ukAutumn budget 2025: What did we learn from Rachel Reeves’ announcements? | Institute for GovernmentIfG experts review the key things we learnt from the 2025 budget. 012