Rosa Hodgkin @rosahodgkin.bsky.social · 15/09/2026Very useful primer for the biggest policy challenges facing the government Felt very timely (/terrifying) writing the climate and energy section as I updated which number heatwave we were on with each draft 011
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinInstitute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 26/08/2026Ofgem has today announced a 4% increase to the energy price cap from October. Our explainer sets out the role Ofgem plays in overseeing the electricity and gas markets, how it is structured and the state of competition in the energy market www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/of...instituteforgovernment.org.ukOfgem | Institute for GovernmentOfgem is the public body responsible for overseeing the electricity and gas markets. 013
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinJill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 30/07/2026the other question is whether political consensus is a necessary precondition for reform. Its easy to see why @andyburnham.bsky.social wants this - he was burned by the death tax accusations in 2009-10 and May's reform attempt was nixed by the "dementia tax". 44520
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinCassia Rowland @cassiarowland.bsky.social · 30/07/2026This is an absolutely extraordinary stat: more people were recalled to prison than released Jan-March 2026. 3/4 were for breaches of licence conditions, not for committing further offences. Probation has just become incapable of managing offenders in the community & supporting rehabilitation. 1128
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinLeo Hickman @leohickman.carbonbrief.org · 30/07/2026++BREAKING++ The UK and Spanish governments have issued a joint statement overnight: "[We] agreed that this summer’s wildfires demonstrated that climate change was now a national security emergency facing Europe and threatening our way of life." www.gov.uk/government/n... 11332521369
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinJill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 29/07/2026The analysis is right here - but @rosahodgkin.bsky.social and I @instituteforgovernment.org.uk suggested we need to up the importance of adaptation in govt by making it a responsibility of accounting officers in depts www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...instituteforgovernment.org.ukAdapting to climate change | Institute for GovernmentGovernment must make managing climate change a priority. 162
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinStuart Hoddinott @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social · 23/07/2026NEW BLOG: organisational boundaries in local govt, the NHS and police do not match up That's a problem for Burnham's devo ambitions He should intervene now to create an aligned system that paves the way for future public services devo More 👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/burn...instituteforgovernment.org.ukBurnham’s devolution agenda can lay strong foundations for public service reform | Institute for GovernmentThe new PM needs to align the boundaries of services in local areas. 32512
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinJill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 24/07/2026In April @instituteforgovernment.org.uk argued that the (then) PM should introduce a Brown-style National Economic Council to coordinate the govt response to the Middle East War www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...instituteforgovernment.org.ukManaging the economic consequences of the Iran war | Institute for GovernmentHow should the government respond to the crisis in the Middle East? 163
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinJill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 24/07/2026It seems to have a wider remit, but new PM @andyburnham.bsky.social seems to have revived the model - he is chairing his first NEC from No.10 North this morning www.politico.eu/newsletter/l... Note one of the most useful aspects of the old NEC was the underpinning official coordinationpolitico.euIs it really so strange?Presented by Rolls-Royce By SAM FRANCIS with MEGAN MCELROY PRESENTED BY Send tips here | Subscribe for free | Politics at Sam and Anne’s podcast | Listen to Playbook and view in your browser … 062
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinCassia Rowland @cassiarowland.bsky.social · 23/07/2026So Burnham is pausing planned early releases from prisons. Not much of a surprise, but he should be hesitant to junk these plans entirely — the last government didn’t want to do this either! There are no easy answers on prison capacity www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c1...bbc.co.ukBurnham pauses plan to release some prisoners early from September - live updatesUnder the scheme - designed to ease overcrowding - thousands of prisoners in England and Wales could have been freed after serving a third of their sentence, rather than half. 53514
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinAndrew Sissons @acjsissons.bsky.social · 22/07/2026*If* the VAT cut is part of a wider plan to reform electricity pricing - which Rachel Reeves made a start on in her last budget - then imv it is not just a short term fix, but also a long term one. The November Budget will be the real test of that. 0152
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinPhilip Nye @philipnye.bsky.social · 21/07/2026A landmark moment, as the cabinet reaches gender parity for the first time 1117
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinAlex 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 Rosa HodgkinMarcus Shepheard @mashley.bsky.social · 21/07/2026Cutting VAT on electricity will save everyone money, but it's broadly regressive. 355
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinAndrew Sissons @acjsissons.bsky.social · 21/07/2026The new government’s first big policy announcement is removing VAT from electricity bills - from October onwards. Should save £40 - £45 on a typical annual bill and reduce the price ratio to about 3.4 (assuming bills don’t otherwise change dramatically in October) www.gov.uk/government/n...gov.ukNew PM cuts tax on household electricity bills to give breathing space on cost of livingNew Prime Minister takes immediate action to cut taxes on electricity bills to give millions of households breathing space this winter. 145819
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinPhilip 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 Rosa HodgkinSophie Metcalfe @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social · 20/07/2026As we all wait to hear who the new SoS at MHCLG will be, a 🧵on the housing supply record and decisions they'll inherit... 286
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinBen Paxton @drbenpaxton.bsky.social · 20/07/2026It's good Burnham isn't boxing his government in on tax already. They need a fiscal strategy that confronts the difficult fiscal inheritance, and the tax lock problem left over from Labour's manifesto (which he doesn't necessarily have to inherit) www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/burn...instituteforgovernment.org.ukAndy Burnham needs a new fiscal strategy that deals with the tax lock | Institute for GovernmentTough choices on tax and spend await the next prime minister. 122
Rosa Hodgkin @rosahodgkin.bsky.social · 20/07/2026As Ed Miliband looks set to leave DESNZ a short 🧵on the department's achievements with him as minister and where there's still work to do: 33519
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinAmber 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 Rosa HodgkinCassia 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! 520141
Rosa Hodgkin @rosahodgkin.bsky.social · 20/07/2026And if the expansion of existing fields is through tiebacks the government was already in the process of allowing this www.gov.uk/government/p...gov.ukCriteria for Transitional Energy Certificates 234
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinStuart Hoddinott @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social · 20/07/2026Burnham inherits a tricky fiscal situation. That may become tougher still, with a worsening forecast and expensive policy ambitions We argue that, while politically tricky, he should consider ditching Starmer and Reeves' tax lock pledge, which tied their hands More from us 👇 178
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinJill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 15/07/2026People want to take functions away from HM Treasury. I want to give it a new one - getting the UK's act together on climate adaptation www.ft.com/content/2789... (£) - much more than an environment issue..ft.comThe UK is forgetting the dull bit of climate change policyAdaptation has never been the priority, but this summer’s heat is a message that the Treasury needs to act 19128
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinMatthew Gill @drmatthewgill.bsky.social · 06/07/20261/8 Do join us at @instituteforgovernment.org.uk for our half day conference – “Regulation in a changing world: How to meet the needs of the future?” – on the afternoon of Wednesday 15th July. 148
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinMegan Isaac @meganisaac.bsky.social · 07/07/2026One week to go! Join us next Tuesday to explore how mayors and local leaders are using devolved powers, funding and influence to support a just climate transition - from securing net-zero investment to supporting community energy projects and climate commissions. Sign up below⬇️ 213
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinHannah Keenan @hannahkeenan.bsky.social · 29/06/2026Quite here for No.10 North (if that's what we're calling it). Loads of pitfalls, and I think you do need to keep quite a lot of centre of gov in your capital city, but there is a v good version of this which moves out Burnham priorities. Have written down some ideas on how to make it work 👇instituteforgovernment.org.ukNo.10 North: Burnham needs to be clear-eyed about the purpose of his Manchester office | Institute for GovernmentAn overwhelmed 10 Downing Street could be improved by creating No.10 North. 2209
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinThomas Pope @tompope.bsky.social · 26/06/2026Latest from me and @hannahkeenan.bsky.social for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Burnham might be mulling breaking up the Treasury. He’s right to want to reform the centre, but no.10 and cabinet office should be his focus. HMT reorg would be a distraction and would not fix underlying problems 21914
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinJill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 24/06/2026Last month the climate change cttee warned that the govt needed to start taking adaptation seriously - @rosahodgkin.bsky.social and I wrote about it @instituteforgovernment.org.uk www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/clim...instituteforgovernment.org.ukThe Climate Change Committee analysis is clear: government must start taking adaptation seriously | Institute for GovernmentGovernment should focus on the climate change hitting the UK now. 1112
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinShaina Sangha @shaina-sangha.bsky.social · 16/06/2026TWO new @instituteforgovernment.org.uk reports out today from me, @nehaldavison.bsky.social, @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social and @emma-conway.bsky.social on early years policy and what's needed to ensure boys from low-income families are not left behind. 🧵 tinyurl.com/99pcyskh tinyurl.com/4bcbyyfzinstituteforgovernment.org.ukEarly years policy making: How can government ensure that boys from low-income families are not left behind during delivery? | Institute for GovernmentThe government’s early years target is doing little to incentivise the system to focus on boys from low-income families. 159
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinStuart Hoddinott @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social · 12/06/2026Love this as a prevention case study: - Low cost, even revenue raising in the short term - Improves health outcomes and reduces costly hospital admissions Shows political leadership is key: - Politically costly for Khan to implement - Did it despite cost savings landing outside GLA 8380161
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinBen Paxton @drbenpaxton.bsky.social · 11/06/2026The central critique in Healey's resignation letter is that Starmer/Treasury have not found a way to meet defence spending pressures in the next few years, and instead have backloaded increases well into the next parliament (defence reaching 2.68% of GDP in 2030, compared to 3% he says is needed) 132
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinMegan 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 Rosa HodgkinInstitute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 22/05/2026What might the Makerfield by-election mean for the Labour party leadership? Our flowchart explores the potential Labour leadership challenges. Read our explainer to find out more about how a Labour Party leadership contest works 👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/la... 026
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinAndrew Sissons @acjsissons.bsky.social · 19/05/2026Blimey, I hadn’t realised how much the forecast rise in energy bills in July was concentrated on gas. £162 of the £208 forecast rise comes from more expensive gas… (Chart courtesy of Regen and Cornwall Insight) 42718
Rosa Hodgkin @rosahodgkin.bsky.social · 19/05/2026If you have heard people talking about Jackdaw and Rosebank but are not totally sure what they actually are... ⬇️ 043
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinRebecca McKee @rebeccamckee.bsky.social · 15/05/202610 things we learned in the King's Speech, from across the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Lots of interesting insights and analysis from across the - really quite broad - range of plans from the government. 037
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinMegan Bryer @meganbryer.bsky.social · 13/05/2026New ministerial appointments have been made following yesterday's 4 resignations. Our updated waffle chart and explainer has the latest info... 1/4 136
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinCath Haddon @cathhaddon.bsky.social · 12/05/2026Re-upping this because i saw on the other place someone going down the 'but could they use a King's Speech defeat to oust him?'. Again, to reiterate, endlessly, a confidence defeat in the Commons means either the government *as a whole* is ousted. Not just the PM. 65019
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinTim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · 12/05/2026Great work from @meganbryer.bsky.social updating our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk ministerial resignation chart with Miatta Fahnbulleh's decision You can see our full list of resignations since 1979 here: docs.google.com/spreadsheets... 3109
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinMegan Bryer @meganbryer.bsky.social · 12/05/2026Jess Phillips - minister for safeguarding violence against women and girls - becomes the second minister to resign today, telling the PM that "deeds, not words are what matter". Our explainer @instituteforgovernment.org.uk has info on all 15 ministers that have resigned since Labour took office... 4128
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinInstitute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 01/05/2026The government’s crisis response is gaining pace – but so is the crisis Our work shows there are ways ministers and civil servants can be most effective in a crisis, say @rosahodgkin.bsky.social and @timdurrant.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...instituteforgovernment.org.ukThe government’s crisis response is gaining pace – but so is the crisis | Institute for GovernmentMinisters and officials are no strangers to working under pressure. How can they do it well? 014
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinAmber Dellar @amberdellar.bsky.social · 30/04/2026Our new @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report lists 10 things the government needs to do to fix the children's social care market. 👇I've done a little run down of some of the key chartsinstituteforgovernment.org.ukFixing the children’s social care market | Institute for GovernmentMany children live in placements that do not meet their needs. The government’s reforms are promising, but rely on more joined-up public services. 298
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinAlice Lilly @aliceolilly.bsky.social · 29/04/2026In one sense this really is a major reform* (the initial removal of most hereditary peers happened almost 30 years ago!); though of course questions about more fundamental Lords reform remain *(Note a few of the hereditary peers being removed are now likely to be made life peers) 3157
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinCath Haddon @cathhaddon.bsky.social · 28/04/2026Just did a quick bit on the radio about the end of the Parliamentary session, prorogation and ping pong. All the Ps. So let's get into that.... 1139
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinSophie Metcalfe @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social · 27/04/2026Delighted to welcome the housing minister to IfG on Wednesday to discuss leasehold reform. Do come along. It'll be an interesting conversation* *A complex regulatory landscape, a major overhaul of property law with a 40-year timeline... Need I say more to an IfG audience? 013
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinCath Haddon @cathhaddon.bsky.social · 27/04/2026The Commons Speaker has allowed a debate and vote to go ahead tomorrow on whether the PM should be investigated by the Privileges Committee. So what is the Committee and what is the process? 33424
Rosa Hodgkin @rosahodgkin.bsky.social · 24/04/2026If you are an official making policy in a crisis - this new IfG report from @nehaldavison.bsky.social, @vimbai-dzimwasha.bsky.social and me looks at how different aspects of policymaking can be easier or harder in crisis with prompts to help consider some of the most common challenges 🧵 103
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinAndrew Sissons @acjsissons.bsky.social · 21/04/2026In other Ed Miliband news… the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (heat pump subsidy) is going up from £7,500 to £9,000 for homes in rural areas that rely on oil or LPG. Given the spike in heating oil prices, and how good an option heat pumps are in rural areas, this is a good idea 55923
Reposted by Rosa HodgkinJill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 14/04/2026. @hzeffman.bsky.social reporting on BBC R4 Today that govt has created a new "Middle East Response Committee (6.35). This is what @instituteforgovernment.org.uk argued was necessary last week to manage the consequences of the war www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...instituteforgovernment.org.ukManaging the economic consequences of the Iran war | Institute for GovernmentHow should the government respond to the crisis in the Middle East? 3168