Charlotte Pickles
@charliepickles.bsky.social
Director @re-state.bsky.social; all things State and public services.
Pinned
The next chapter: from Reform to Re:State - Re:State
re-state.co.uk
Today is the day! 🔥
We could not be more excited to be launching our new name.
No guesses for what's forced it, but actually, Re:State is the perfect fit.
Read my blog for more on why and what 👇
re-state.co.uk/rethink/the-...
We could not be more excited to be launching our new name.
No guesses for what's forced it, but actually, Re:State is the perfect fit.
Read my blog for more on why and what 👇
re-state.co.uk/rethink/the-...
So proud of the team today. First place for Think Tanker and second for Think Tank of the Year.
We're a tiny (9 people), scrappy think tank with limited resources, risking saying what we really think.
Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki once described JJ Barea as 'undersized, but all heart'.
That's us.
We're a tiny (9 people), scrappy think tank with limited resources, risking saying what we really think.
Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki once described JJ Barea as 'undersized, but all heart'.
That's us.
Very proud of Our Policy Director @jo3hill.bsky.social winning 'Think Tanker of the Year' at last night's inaugural @smartthinking.bsky.social Think Tank Awards
Also chuffed to have been named the runner up to the esteemed IFS as Think Tank of the Year.
Also chuffed to have been named the runner up to the esteemed IFS as Think Tank of the Year.
November 13, 2025 at 2:37 PM
So proud of the team today. First place for Think Tanker and second for Think Tank of the Year.
We're a tiny (9 people), scrappy think tank with limited resources, risking saying what we really think.
Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki once described JJ Barea as 'undersized, but all heart'.
That's us.
We're a tiny (9 people), scrappy think tank with limited resources, risking saying what we really think.
Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki once described JJ Barea as 'undersized, but all heart'.
That's us.
Today we've published our latest Hospital of the Future paper
What's the answer to corridor care, backlogs & the Winter Crisis?
More doctors, more beds
NO!
@rosiebeacon.bsky.social @alicesemark.bsky.social have the actual, evidenced solutions- as ever cutting through the bullshit 👏
What's the answer to corridor care, backlogs & the Winter Crisis?
More doctors, more beds
NO!
@rosiebeacon.bsky.social @alicesemark.bsky.social have the actual, evidenced solutions- as ever cutting through the bullshit 👏
October 29, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Today we've published our latest Hospital of the Future paper
What's the answer to corridor care, backlogs & the Winter Crisis?
More doctors, more beds
NO!
@rosiebeacon.bsky.social @alicesemark.bsky.social have the actual, evidenced solutions- as ever cutting through the bullshit 👏
What's the answer to corridor care, backlogs & the Winter Crisis?
More doctors, more beds
NO!
@rosiebeacon.bsky.social @alicesemark.bsky.social have the actual, evidenced solutions- as ever cutting through the bullshit 👏
Reposted by Charlotte Pickles
Delighted to see this endorsement from Daniel Elkeles, Chief Executive of @nhsproviders.bsky.social, for our new paper 'Ending the Patient Gridlock' – out today as part of our Hospital of the Future programme.
Read the paper here: re-state.co.uk/publications...
Read the paper here: re-state.co.uk/publications...
October 29, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Delighted to see this endorsement from Daniel Elkeles, Chief Executive of @nhsproviders.bsky.social, for our new paper 'Ending the Patient Gridlock' – out today as part of our Hospital of the Future programme.
Read the paper here: re-state.co.uk/publications...
Read the paper here: re-state.co.uk/publications...
Reposted by Charlotte Pickles
Extremely grateful for this endorsement from the inimitable Stephen Black - exactly how we hoped this paper would be received.
Read the paper here: re-state.co.uk/publications...
Read the paper here: re-state.co.uk/publications...
October 29, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Extremely grateful for this endorsement from the inimitable Stephen Black - exactly how we hoped this paper would be received.
Read the paper here: re-state.co.uk/publications...
Read the paper here: re-state.co.uk/publications...
"It's the year 2040, and Dame Louise Casey has been asked to lead a taskforce to tackle the [insert institution failure]. This is her 234th review/taskforce in the past 15 years. Her commission on social care is now due to report in 2042"
A slightly tongue-in-cheek but deadly serious blog from me
A slightly tongue-in-cheek but deadly serious blog from me
Dame Louise Casey has become the State’s go-to troubleshooter. But what does that say about Whitehall’s own capacity to solve problems?
In our latest Re:Think, Director @charliepickles.bsky.social asks why Whitehall keeps summoning the same hero to fix its failures.
re-state.co.uk/rethink/whit...
In our latest Re:Think, Director @charliepickles.bsky.social asks why Whitehall keeps summoning the same hero to fix its failures.
re-state.co.uk/rethink/whit...
Whitehall in 2040 - Re:State
re-state.co.uk
October 23, 2025 at 5:22 PM
"It's the year 2040, and Dame Louise Casey has been asked to lead a taskforce to tackle the [insert institution failure]. This is her 234th review/taskforce in the past 15 years. Her commission on social care is now due to report in 2042"
A slightly tongue-in-cheek but deadly serious blog from me
A slightly tongue-in-cheek but deadly serious blog from me
That's a wrap. Labour party conference 2025 is done.
Brilliant work by the @re-state.bsky.social team - but a special shout out to Beth who bossed the whole thing 👏
Brilliant work by the @re-state.bsky.social team - but a special shout out to Beth who bossed the whole thing 👏
October 1, 2025 at 8:39 AM
That's a wrap. Labour party conference 2025 is done.
Brilliant work by the @re-state.bsky.social team - but a special shout out to Beth who bossed the whole thing 👏
Brilliant work by the @re-state.bsky.social team - but a special shout out to Beth who bossed the whole thing 👏
The PM is announcing the government is setting up a virtual hospital
This is game changing - & a reform we exclusively called for in our paper paper out a few months ago: 'Hospital as a service, not a building'
Huge win for @rosiebeacon.bsky.social & @alicesemark.bsky.social
Real world impact 👏
This is game changing - & a reform we exclusively called for in our paper paper out a few months ago: 'Hospital as a service, not a building'
Huge win for @rosiebeacon.bsky.social & @alicesemark.bsky.social
Real world impact 👏
September 30, 2025 at 6:19 AM
The PM is announcing the government is setting up a virtual hospital
This is game changing - & a reform we exclusively called for in our paper paper out a few months ago: 'Hospital as a service, not a building'
Huge win for @rosiebeacon.bsky.social & @alicesemark.bsky.social
Real world impact 👏
This is game changing - & a reform we exclusively called for in our paper paper out a few months ago: 'Hospital as a service, not a building'
Huge win for @rosiebeacon.bsky.social & @alicesemark.bsky.social
Real world impact 👏
Reposted by Charlotte Pickles
In our latest Re:Think, Policy Director, @stkaye.bsky.social explores the big themes from our event with Sarah Olney MP at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference last weekend.
Check it out here: re-state.co.uk/rethink/libe...
Check it out here: re-state.co.uk/rethink/libe...
Liberal Democrat party conference: achieving local renewal - Re:State
re-state.co.uk
September 24, 2025 at 1:21 PM
In our latest Re:Think, Policy Director, @stkaye.bsky.social explores the big themes from our event with Sarah Olney MP at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference last weekend.
Check it out here: re-state.co.uk/rethink/libe...
Check it out here: re-state.co.uk/rethink/libe...
Really proud of this new project
We've put our money where our mouth is and launched the Re:State Leaders Network, a programme to support senior civil servants to lead during a time of immense complexity and challenge
Read @jo3hill.bsky.social on the why and what 👇
We've put our money where our mouth is and launched the Re:State Leaders Network, a programme to support senior civil servants to lead during a time of immense complexity and challenge
Read @jo3hill.bsky.social on the why and what 👇
Whitehall can’t tackle 21st-century problems with 19th-century tools.
In this Re:Think, Policy Director, @jo3hill.bsky.social, reflects on the launch of our Leaders Network in partnership with Newton, and why fresh ideas matter for leadership.
Check out the blog👇
re-state.co.uk/rethink/laun...
In this Re:Think, Policy Director, @jo3hill.bsky.social, reflects on the launch of our Leaders Network in partnership with Newton, and why fresh ideas matter for leadership.
Check out the blog👇
re-state.co.uk/rethink/laun...
Launching leaders - Re:State
re-state.co.uk
September 24, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Really proud of this new project
We've put our money where our mouth is and launched the Re:State Leaders Network, a programme to support senior civil servants to lead during a time of immense complexity and challenge
Read @jo3hill.bsky.social on the why and what 👇
We've put our money where our mouth is and launched the Re:State Leaders Network, a programme to support senior civil servants to lead during a time of immense complexity and challenge
Read @jo3hill.bsky.social on the why and what 👇
Hospitals are struggling with productivity. That means fewer patients seen and treated.
This new paper from @floconway.bsky.social and @rosiebeacon.bsky.social lays out the quick wins that automation could deliver - not only for productivity but also patient safety and workforce satisfaction 👇
This new paper from @floconway.bsky.social and @rosiebeacon.bsky.social lays out the quick wins that automation could deliver - not only for productivity but also patient safety and workforce satisfaction 👇
🚨New paper out today!🚨
There are countless avoidable inefficiencies in hospitals today - many of which could be automated overnight.
We explored what steps government, ICSs & trusts need to make in order to grasp the potential of these innovations.
Read here: re-state.co.uk/publications...
There are countless avoidable inefficiencies in hospitals today - many of which could be automated overnight.
We explored what steps government, ICSs & trusts need to make in order to grasp the potential of these innovations.
Read here: re-state.co.uk/publications...
September 17, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Hospitals are struggling with productivity. That means fewer patients seen and treated.
This new paper from @floconway.bsky.social and @rosiebeacon.bsky.social lays out the quick wins that automation could deliver - not only for productivity but also patient safety and workforce satisfaction 👇
This new paper from @floconway.bsky.social and @rosiebeacon.bsky.social lays out the quick wins that automation could deliver - not only for productivity but also patient safety and workforce satisfaction 👇
Reposted by Charlotte Pickles
The hospital is a unique economic unit. Incredibly understudied, even in an NHS which has accidentally (and incorrectly) been plugging more and more resource into secondary care over the last two decades. Automation has huge potential.
Great new paper today from the team.
Great new paper today from the team.
🚨New paper out today!🚨
There are countless avoidable inefficiencies in hospitals today - many of which could be automated overnight.
We explored what steps government, ICSs & trusts need to make in order to grasp the potential of these innovations.
Read here: re-state.co.uk/publications...
There are countless avoidable inefficiencies in hospitals today - many of which could be automated overnight.
We explored what steps government, ICSs & trusts need to make in order to grasp the potential of these innovations.
Read here: re-state.co.uk/publications...
September 17, 2025 at 9:21 AM
The hospital is a unique economic unit. Incredibly understudied, even in an NHS which has accidentally (and incorrectly) been plugging more and more resource into secondary care over the last two decades. Automation has huge potential.
Great new paper today from the team.
Great new paper today from the team.
Reposted by Charlotte Pickles
If you're at Conservative Party Conference this year, don't miss what will be a fascinating conversation on a Conservative vision to remake the State, with Claire Coutinho MP, Alex Burghart MP, and @charliepickles.bsky.social
Email events@re-state.co.uk to attend!
Email events@re-state.co.uk to attend!
September 16, 2025 at 2:11 PM
If you're at Conservative Party Conference this year, don't miss what will be a fascinating conversation on a Conservative vision to remake the State, with Claire Coutinho MP, Alex Burghart MP, and @charliepickles.bsky.social
Email events@re-state.co.uk to attend!
Email events@re-state.co.uk to attend!
Reposted by Charlotte Pickles
Today: Policy Director, Joe Hill, writes to The Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, newly appointed Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, with his take on where focus should lie.
re-state.co.uk/rethink/resh...
re-state.co.uk/rethink/resh...
Re:Shuffle – an open letter to Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster - Re:State
re-state.co.uk
September 10, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Today: Policy Director, Joe Hill, writes to The Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, newly appointed Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, with his take on where focus should lie.
re-state.co.uk/rethink/resh...
re-state.co.uk/rethink/resh...
Reposted by Charlotte Pickles
⭐ Special blog series: Re:Shuffle ⭐
We’re marking the ministerial reshuffle with daily open letters from our researchers to newly appointed ministers – setting out what we think should top their priority list for better public services.
We’re marking the ministerial reshuffle with daily open letters from our researchers to newly appointed ministers – setting out what we think should top their priority list for better public services.
September 10, 2025 at 2:23 PM
⭐ Special blog series: Re:Shuffle ⭐
We’re marking the ministerial reshuffle with daily open letters from our researchers to newly appointed ministers – setting out what we think should top their priority list for better public services.
We’re marking the ministerial reshuffle with daily open letters from our researchers to newly appointed ministers – setting out what we think should top their priority list for better public services.
Looking forward to joining Newsnight tonight to discuss, well, a whole lot of politics!!
September 8, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Looking forward to joining Newsnight tonight to discuss, well, a whole lot of politics!!
Reposted by Charlotte Pickles
Should one national agency really hold the keys to solving England’s housing crisis?
In our latest Re:Think, Researcher, @coryberman.bsky.social , writes about why Homes England should be abolished and its powers devolved to local leaders.
Read the blog here 👇
re-state.co.uk/rethink/home...
In our latest Re:Think, Researcher, @coryberman.bsky.social , writes about why Homes England should be abolished and its powers devolved to local leaders.
Read the blog here 👇
re-state.co.uk/rethink/home...
Homes England under the hammer? - Re:State
re-state.co.uk
September 1, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Should one national agency really hold the keys to solving England’s housing crisis?
In our latest Re:Think, Researcher, @coryberman.bsky.social , writes about why Homes England should be abolished and its powers devolved to local leaders.
Read the blog here 👇
re-state.co.uk/rethink/home...
In our latest Re:Think, Researcher, @coryberman.bsky.social , writes about why Homes England should be abolished and its powers devolved to local leaders.
Read the blog here 👇
re-state.co.uk/rethink/home...
👀 One more sleep...
Cracking read from the @re-state.bsky.social Local State team @stkaye.bsky.social
If you want ambitious devolution, you can't leave central government machinery as is 👇
Cracking read from the @re-state.bsky.social Local State team @stkaye.bsky.social
If you want ambitious devolution, you can't leave central government machinery as is 👇
August 31, 2025 at 6:22 PM
👀 One more sleep...
Cracking read from the @re-state.bsky.social Local State team @stkaye.bsky.social
If you want ambitious devolution, you can't leave central government machinery as is 👇
Cracking read from the @re-state.bsky.social Local State team @stkaye.bsky.social
If you want ambitious devolution, you can't leave central government machinery as is 👇
Reposted by Charlotte Pickles
I'm all for professionalising the role of Special Advisers, e.g. with much better admin support. But the civil service can only do so much - politicians need to lead.
In 'Grown up government' @re-state.bsky.social argued for a new model, with more Spads, paid better
re-state.co.uk/publications...
In 'Grown up government' @re-state.bsky.social argued for a new model, with more Spads, paid better
re-state.co.uk/publications...
August 12, 2025 at 1:20 PM
I'm all for professionalising the role of Special Advisers, e.g. with much better admin support. But the civil service can only do so much - politicians need to lead.
In 'Grown up government' @re-state.bsky.social argued for a new model, with more Spads, paid better
re-state.co.uk/publications...
In 'Grown up government' @re-state.bsky.social argued for a new model, with more Spads, paid better
re-state.co.uk/publications...
July 31, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Reposted by Charlotte Pickles
There is so much more the centre of government could do to be effective - including significantly bolstering the Prime Minister’s team.
But a starting point should be far more political appointees, rather than layering more SCS jobs on top of the Cabinet Office.
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
But a starting point should be far more political appointees, rather than layering more SCS jobs on top of the Cabinet Office.
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
President Starmer? PM to beef up Downing Street to get a grip on chaos
New department would form part of a wider ‘reset’ being mulled over by Sir Keir Starmer’s team
www.telegraph.co.uk
July 19, 2025 at 3:22 PM
There is so much more the centre of government could do to be effective - including significantly bolstering the Prime Minister’s team.
But a starting point should be far more political appointees, rather than layering more SCS jobs on top of the Cabinet Office.
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
But a starting point should be far more political appointees, rather than layering more SCS jobs on top of the Cabinet Office.
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/202...
Reposted by Charlotte Pickles
As the great Ronnie Coleman once said, "everybody wants to be a [devolver] but nobody wants to [draw the map]". But luckily @stkaye.bsky.social and @seaneke.bsky.social have! Great to see in our paper, out today.
Already picking out which province I want to be the Governor of. Which do you want? 🔗👇
Already picking out which province I want to be the Governor of. Which do you want? 🔗👇
July 17, 2025 at 11:19 AM
As the great Ronnie Coleman once said, "everybody wants to be a [devolver] but nobody wants to [draw the map]". But luckily @stkaye.bsky.social and @seaneke.bsky.social have! Great to see in our paper, out today.
Already picking out which province I want to be the Governor of. Which do you want? 🔗👇
Already picking out which province I want to be the Governor of. Which do you want? 🔗👇
Reposted by Charlotte Pickles
📢NEW REPORT: 'GO BIG OR GO HOME'
The 'devolution revolution' may yet result in small and underpowered Strategic Authorities in England's low-density, rural, and polycentric places.
This report proposes a system of full-scale Provinces to ensure England's regions can take flight.
The 'devolution revolution' may yet result in small and underpowered Strategic Authorities in England's low-density, rural, and polycentric places.
This report proposes a system of full-scale Provinces to ensure England's regions can take flight.
July 17, 2025 at 7:35 AM
📢NEW REPORT: 'GO BIG OR GO HOME'
The 'devolution revolution' may yet result in small and underpowered Strategic Authorities in England's low-density, rural, and polycentric places.
This report proposes a system of full-scale Provinces to ensure England's regions can take flight.
The 'devolution revolution' may yet result in small and underpowered Strategic Authorities in England's low-density, rural, and polycentric places.
This report proposes a system of full-scale Provinces to ensure England's regions can take flight.
Reposted by Charlotte Pickles
1. Further signs of an easing labour market with payroll employment & vacancies down again. Clear sectoral differences with retail & hospitality payrolls down 170k but showing largest pay rises as NMW changes kick in. Usual data caveats with both LFS & HMRC data so need to be cautious.
July 17, 2025 at 6:33 AM
1. Further signs of an easing labour market with payroll employment & vacancies down again. Clear sectoral differences with retail & hospitality payrolls down 170k but showing largest pay rises as NMW changes kick in. Usual data caveats with both LFS & HMRC data so need to be cautious.
Reposted by Charlotte Pickles
Researcher, @floconway.bsky.social, has written about the urgent need for Govt to act following another child death from measles
Check out her piece here👇
re-state.co.uk/rethink/we-b...
Check out her piece here👇
re-state.co.uk/rethink/we-b...
We beat measles once: we must do it again - Re:State
Over the weekend, tragic news broke about a child in Liverpool dying after contracting measles. Sadly, such incidents are becoming increasingly common. The UK has faced repeated outbreaks in recent ye...
re-state.co.uk
July 16, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Researcher, @floconway.bsky.social, has written about the urgent need for Govt to act following another child death from measles
Check out her piece here👇
re-state.co.uk/rethink/we-b...
Check out her piece here👇
re-state.co.uk/rethink/we-b...
Reposted by Charlotte Pickles
We at @instituteforgovernment.org.uk have coordinated a letter in @thetimes.com today in which numerous individuals and organisations call on the government to withdraw its mistaken rules which are having a serious chilling effect on civil servants speaking in public…
July 14, 2025 at 5:10 AM
We at @instituteforgovernment.org.uk have coordinated a letter in @thetimes.com today in which numerous individuals and organisations call on the government to withdraw its mistaken rules which are having a serious chilling effect on civil servants speaking in public…