Amber Dellar
@amberdellar.bsky.social
Researcher, public services @instituteforgovernment.org.uk. Focusing on schools and local government, particularly children's social care and homelessness. She/her
Reposted by Amber Dellar
Louise Casey on patient/citizen choice in public services:
"I disagree with performative legislation that has no strategy, no money, no ability to get that done which turns it a advocacy, legislative, lawyering up job, which we have with SEND and potentially the Care Act, and with homelessness"
"I disagree with performative legislation that has no strategy, no money, no ability to get that done which turns it a advocacy, legislative, lawyering up job, which we have with SEND and potentially the Care Act, and with homelessness"
January 13, 2026 at 10:18 AM
Louise Casey on patient/citizen choice in public services:
"I disagree with performative legislation that has no strategy, no money, no ability to get that done which turns it a advocacy, legislative, lawyering up job, which we have with SEND and potentially the Care Act, and with homelessness"
"I disagree with performative legislation that has no strategy, no money, no ability to get that done which turns it a advocacy, legislative, lawyering up job, which we have with SEND and potentially the Care Act, and with homelessness"
Reposted by Amber Dellar
Government 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...
Some thoughts on how these all add up from the IfG's Whitehall Monitor report out today...
January 13, 2026 at 10:26 AM
Government 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...
Some thoughts on how these all add up from the IfG's Whitehall Monitor report out today...
Reposted by Amber Dellar
This is getting going now, will live tweet some of the highlights of what Streeting says
Thread below...
Thread below...
As Playbook says, Wes Streeting is speaking @instituteforgovernment.org.uk this morning
Playbook rightly points out that we gave him a mixed review in last year's Public Services Performance Tracker. If you want to read that review, link is below
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Playbook rightly points out that we gave him a mixed review in last year's Public Services Performance Tracker. If you want to read that review, link is below
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
January 13, 2026 at 8:30 AM
This is getting going now, will live tweet some of the highlights of what Streeting says
Thread below...
Thread below...
Reposted by Amber Dellar
📢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. 🧵
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. 🧵
Whitehall Monitor 2026 | Institute for Government
Labour’s efforts to ‘rewire the state’ aren’t addressing longstanding workforce problems.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
January 13, 2026 at 8:19 AM
📢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. 🧵
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. 🧵
Reposted by Amber Dellar
There's now data out about the resident doctor strikes last month
So how disruptive did they end up being? And what can we say about how the NHS is responding to ongoing strikes?
Short 🧵👇
So how disruptive did they end up being? And what can we say about how the NHS is responding to ongoing strikes?
Short 🧵👇
January 9, 2026 at 11:35 AM
There's now data out about the resident doctor strikes last month
So how disruptive did they end up being? And what can we say about how the NHS is responding to ongoing strikes?
Short 🧵👇
So how disruptive did they end up being? And what can we say about how the NHS is responding to ongoing strikes?
Short 🧵👇
Reposted by Amber Dellar
Reform councillors are trying to blame Labour's funding reforms for council tax rises
It doesn't stack up. After those reforms, 5/10 Reform councils will receive above average funding increases and none get anywhere near a cut
They are raising tax because they failed to deliver promised savings
It doesn't stack up. After those reforms, 5/10 Reform councils will receive above average funding increases and none get anywhere near a cut
They are raising tax because they failed to deliver promised savings
January 8, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Reform councillors are trying to blame Labour's funding reforms for council tax rises
It doesn't stack up. After those reforms, 5/10 Reform councils will receive above average funding increases and none get anywhere near a cut
They are raising tax because they failed to deliver promised savings
It doesn't stack up. After those reforms, 5/10 Reform councils will receive above average funding increases and none get anywhere near a cut
They are raising tax because they failed to deliver promised savings
Reposted by Amber Dellar
Wonder if a relatively small increase in local government spending on gritting this week would have lead to NHS savings from fewer A+E attendances with falls yesterday?
Potentially an example of the benefits of a more place-based approach to funding public services
www.thetimes.com/uk/weather/a...
Potentially an example of the benefits of a more place-based approach to funding public services
www.thetimes.com/uk/weather/a...
Storm Goretti: UK councils attacked over lack of grit on slippery streets
Latest news as snow and ice weather warnings issued across UK
www.thetimes.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:53 AM
Wonder if a relatively small increase in local government spending on gritting this week would have lead to NHS savings from fewer A+E attendances with falls yesterday?
Potentially an example of the benefits of a more place-based approach to funding public services
www.thetimes.com/uk/weather/a...
Potentially an example of the benefits of a more place-based approach to funding public services
www.thetimes.com/uk/weather/a...
Reposted by Amber Dellar
Foster carers could be exempt from paying council tax in the future, if North Devon Council gets its way.
www.devonlive.com/news/devon-n...
www.devonlive.com/news/devon-n...
Foster carers could be exempt from paying council tax next year
North Devon Council looks to help its 36 foster families
www.devonlive.com
January 7, 2026 at 10:12 AM
Foster carers could be exempt from paying council tax in the future, if North Devon Council gets its way.
www.devonlive.com/news/devon-n...
www.devonlive.com/news/devon-n...
Got 2 minutes? Tell us how we can improve our yearly deep dive into public services
Last month we published our public services Performance Tracker 2025
We're looking for feedback! If you've read the report, then we'd love to hear how you think we can improve it for next year
It shouldn't take more than 2 minutes to fill out the survey
www.surveymonkey.com/r/S33HJPY
We're looking for feedback! If you've read the report, then we'd love to hear how you think we can improve it for next year
It shouldn't take more than 2 minutes to fill out the survey
www.surveymonkey.com/r/S33HJPY
Performance Tracker Survey 2025/2026
Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.
www.surveymonkey.com
January 7, 2026 at 9:47 AM
Got 2 minutes? Tell us how we can improve our yearly deep dive into public services
Reposted by Amber Dellar
Actions fall short of ambition in the government’s new homelessness strategy
The government has set broadly the right destination for the homelessness system, but the changes it aren’t enough proposes to get it there, says @amberdellar.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...
The government has set broadly the right destination for the homelessness system, but the changes it aren’t enough proposes to get it there, says @amberdellar.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...
Actions fall short of ambition in the government’s new homelessness strategy | Institute for Government
The government has set broadly the right destination for the homelessness system, but the changes it aren’t enough proposes to get it there.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
December 18, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Actions fall short of ambition in the government’s new homelessness strategy
The government has set broadly the right destination for the homelessness system, but the changes it aren’t enough proposes to get it there, says @amberdellar.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...
The government has set broadly the right destination for the homelessness system, but the changes it aren’t enough proposes to get it there, says @amberdellar.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...
Reposted by Amber Dellar
NEW 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/...
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/...
Policy making blind spots | Institute for Government
The systemic policy-making failures that have contributed to a sharp ‘cliff-edge’ in attainment levels.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
December 17, 2025 at 11:19 AM
NEW 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/...
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/...
Reposted by Amber Dellar
NEW IfG verdict on the child poverty strategy from me and @amberdellar.bsky.social
A critical package for the govt, but it needs:
- stronger powers/accountability in DWP to lead it
- much more robust support for LAs
- earlier monitoring/evaluation
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/chil...
A critical package for the govt, but it needs:
- stronger powers/accountability in DWP to lead it
- much more robust support for LAs
- earlier monitoring/evaluation
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/chil...
Three things the government needs to do to make the child poverty strategy work | Institute for Government
The child poverty strategy is a concrete shift towards prevention but ministers must take action to implement it effectively.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
December 12, 2025 at 5:21 PM
NEW IfG verdict on the child poverty strategy from me and @amberdellar.bsky.social
A critical package for the govt, but it needs:
- stronger powers/accountability in DWP to lead it
- much more robust support for LAs
- earlier monitoring/evaluation
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/chil...
A critical package for the govt, but it needs:
- stronger powers/accountability in DWP to lead it
- much more robust support for LAs
- earlier monitoring/evaluation
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/chil...
The child poverty strategy represents a concrete shift to prevention, but as always, the devil is in the detail.
@sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social and I go into that detail in our new comment:
- On coordinating multiple departments
- Ensuring local partners have the right support
- Monitoring progress
@sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social and I go into that detail in our new comment:
- On coordinating multiple departments
- Ensuring local partners have the right support
- Monitoring progress
Three things the government needs to do to make the child poverty strategy work | Institute for Government
The child poverty strategy is a concrete shift towards prevention but ministers must take action to implement it effectively.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
December 12, 2025 at 5:20 PM
The child poverty strategy represents a concrete shift to prevention, but as always, the devil is in the detail.
@sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social and I go into that detail in our new comment:
- On coordinating multiple departments
- Ensuring local partners have the right support
- Monitoring progress
@sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social and I go into that detail in our new comment:
- On coordinating multiple departments
- Ensuring local partners have the right support
- Monitoring progress
Reposted by Amber Dellar
Schools lack resources needed to help keep children with SEND in school, meaning too many are leaving when it could be avoided, according to a new Ofsted report
Schools lack resources to keep pupils with SEND
Report reveals inconsistent support for pupils with SEND who are out of school and at risk of leaving
schoolsweek.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Schools lack resources needed to help keep children with SEND in school, meaning too many are leaving when it could be avoided, according to a new Ofsted report
Reposted by Amber Dellar
Homelessness strategy now out - calling it A National Plan to End Homelessness certainly shows the right level of ambition
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
A National Plan to End Homelessness
This strategy sets out our long-term vision to end homelessness and rough sleeping, making sure everyone has access to a safe and secure home.
www.gov.uk
December 11, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Homelessness strategy now out - calling it A National Plan to End Homelessness certainly shows the right level of ambition
www.gov.uk/government/p...
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Reposted by Amber Dellar
Big story from @lydiach.bsky.social - buried in Treasury documents, the government confirms it intends to allocate disadvantage funding to schools based on income data, not free school meals eligibility.
It follows criticism that FSM is a poor proxy for poverty
It follows criticism that FSM is a poor proxy for poverty
Exclusive: Family income data will replace free school meals eligibility as the trigger for pupil premium and other deprivation funding for schools, the government has said
schoolsweek.co.uk/pupil-premiu...
schoolsweek.co.uk/pupil-premiu...
Income to replace FSM as trigger for disadvantage funding
Government 'will design new model' for allocating the pupil premium and other disadvantage cash
schoolsweek.co.uk
December 8, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Big story from @lydiach.bsky.social - buried in Treasury documents, the government confirms it intends to allocate disadvantage funding to schools based on income data, not free school meals eligibility.
It follows criticism that FSM is a poor proxy for poverty
It follows criticism that FSM is a poor proxy for poverty
Really interesting report, demonstrating the sheer lack of data that special schools and AP settings have about their pupils - a massive barrier to service delivery and coordination
Almost a third of AP settings can only give an estimate for the number of pupils on their roll
Almost a third of AP settings can only give an estimate for the number of pupils on their roll
"We have the most vulnerable children, but less support” Special and alternative provision sector report: The Children’s Commissioner’s School Census | Children's Commissioner for England
Recently, my office published The Children’s Plan: The Children’s Commissioner’s School Census. For the first time, I used my data powers on schools,
www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk
December 5, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Really interesting report, demonstrating the sheer lack of data that special schools and AP settings have about their pupils - a massive barrier to service delivery and coordination
Almost a third of AP settings can only give an estimate for the number of pupils on their roll
Almost a third of AP settings can only give an estimate for the number of pupils on their roll
Reposted by Amber Dellar
The @instituteforgovernment.org.uk’s Week in Public Services blog is back! This week I looked at the Budget’s place-based budget pilots, jury trial restrictions, and Ofsted’s concerns on children’s social care. Some thoughts below.
medium.com/week-in-publ...
medium.com/week-in-publ...
Week in Public Services: 5th December 2025
This week: jury trial restrictions, place-based budgeting pilots, and warnings from Ofsted on the children’s social care market.
medium.com
December 5, 2025 at 4:17 PM
The @instituteforgovernment.org.uk’s Week in Public Services blog is back! This week I looked at the Budget’s place-based budget pilots, jury trial restrictions, and Ofsted’s concerns on children’s social care. Some thoughts below.
medium.com/week-in-publ...
medium.com/week-in-publ...
Reposted by Amber Dellar
The government’s decision to delay mayoral elections cannot be justified on democratic or fairness grounds
Our IfG devolution experts react to the announcement that May 2026 elections for new mayors will be postponed to 2028 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...
Our IfG devolution experts react to the announcement that May 2026 elections for new mayors will be postponed to 2028 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...
The government’s decision to delay mayoral elections cannot be justified on democratic or fairness grounds | Institute for Government
The government has postponed the May 2026 mayoral elections in Greater Essex, Sussex and Brighton, Hampshire and the Solent, and Norfolk and Suffolk.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
December 5, 2025 at 12:41 PM
The government’s decision to delay mayoral elections cannot be justified on democratic or fairness grounds
Our IfG devolution experts react to the announcement that May 2026 elections for new mayors will be postponed to 2028 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...
Our IfG devolution experts react to the announcement that May 2026 elections for new mayors will be postponed to 2028 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...
Reposted by Amber Dellar
The Government’s Child Poverty Strategy published today is the first we’ve seen for 11 years – which in itself is a sea change. 🧵 👇
December 5, 2025 at 12:57 PM
The Government’s Child Poverty Strategy published today is the first we’ve seen for 11 years – which in itself is a sea change. 🧵 👇
Reposted by Amber Dellar
If you’re looking for a tl;dr of how the government is doing on public services, this fab line from @amberdellar.bsky.social does the job nicely:
December 5, 2025 at 12:08 PM
If you’re looking for a tl;dr of how the government is doing on public services, this fab line from @amberdellar.bsky.social does the job nicely:
15% of local authority run primary schools were in debt in 23/24, compared to 8% in 18/19
Our analysis suggests that the rise in unfilled primary places accounts for nearly two-fifths of that increase
Our analysis suggests that the rise in unfilled primary places accounts for nearly two-fifths of that increase
December 5, 2025 at 10:16 AM
15% of local authority run primary schools were in debt in 23/24, compared to 8% in 18/19
Our analysis suggests that the rise in unfilled primary places accounts for nearly two-fifths of that increase
Our analysis suggests that the rise in unfilled primary places accounts for nearly two-fifths of that increase
Demanding collaboration between health and education services is often not enough to make it happen, especially when the system is so stretched
Building supply-side capacity is vital, as is aligning incentives/funding between delivery partners
Building supply-side capacity is vital, as is aligning incentives/funding between delivery partners
➡️ Only half of primary schools on a £22 million flagship government inclusion programme were given all the support on offer, an interim evaluation has found
Half of PINS schools did not get full neurodiversity support
Evaluators highlighted implementation challenges with the £22m programme's first year in 1,669 schools
schoolsweek.co.uk
December 5, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Demanding collaboration between health and education services is often not enough to make it happen, especially when the system is so stretched
Building supply-side capacity is vital, as is aligning incentives/funding between delivery partners
Building supply-side capacity is vital, as is aligning incentives/funding between delivery partners
Last week the Chancellor announced a central government takeover of special educational needs deficits.
I write about the potential impacts of this move on SEND reform, including on governance of the system, local innovation and trust
I write about the potential impacts of this move on SEND reform, including on governance of the system, local innovation and trust
Central government’s takeover of SEND deficits raises the stakes for SEND reform | Institute for Government
At the budget the chancellor announced a significant change to SEND funding arrangements
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
December 5, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Last week the Chancellor announced a central government takeover of special educational needs deficits.
I write about the potential impacts of this move on SEND reform, including on governance of the system, local innovation and trust
I write about the potential impacts of this move on SEND reform, including on governance of the system, local innovation and trust
Reposted by Amber Dellar
NEW REPORT: abolishing NHS England could help simplify accountability, improve prioritisation and create savings. But the change could also lead to increases in policy incoherence and blame culture, as well as the loss of skills, capacity and focus on areas outside the day-to-day NHS.
Abolished to perfection? Building a better centre for the NHS | Institute for Government
The abolition of NHS England creates both risks and opportunities.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
December 1, 2025 at 4:25 PM
NEW REPORT: abolishing NHS England could help simplify accountability, improve prioritisation and create savings. But the change could also lead to increases in policy incoherence and blame culture, as well as the loss of skills, capacity and focus on areas outside the day-to-day NHS.