Heloise Dunlop
@hcdunlop.bsky.social
Researcher on the civil service team at the Institute for Government, formerly worked in public sector digital delivery and strategy. Views my own.
Some thoughts from myself and my colleague @cassiarowland.bsky.social on Darren Jones' vision for a "digital state" and government's new digital roadmap. It's a good vision with some encouraging initiatives - but it needs a clearer plan
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/digi...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/digi...
The government needs to set out how it will achieve its vision of a modern digital state | Institute for Government
Digital transformation has not needed a new vision. It has needed a better plan.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
January 27, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Some thoughts from myself and my colleague @cassiarowland.bsky.social on Darren Jones' vision for a "digital state" and government's new digital roadmap. It's a good vision with some encouraging initiatives - but it needs a clearer plan
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/digi...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/digi...
Reposted by Heloise Dunlop
I spoke at the House of Lords Justice & Home Affairs Committee yesterday, on behalf of @instituteforgovernment.org.uk, on immigration, citizenship and integration. Thanks to @jlowen.bsky.social, @cassiarowland.bsky.social and @hcdunlop.bsky.social for help on prep!
Session here: tinyurl.com/372h6jdk
Session here: tinyurl.com/372h6jdk
January 21, 2026 at 11:13 AM
I spoke at the House of Lords Justice & Home Affairs Committee yesterday, on behalf of @instituteforgovernment.org.uk, on immigration, citizenship and integration. Thanks to @jlowen.bsky.social, @cassiarowland.bsky.social and @hcdunlop.bsky.social for help on prep!
Session here: tinyurl.com/372h6jdk
Session here: tinyurl.com/372h6jdk
Reposted by Heloise Dunlop
I can choose my bank, I can choose my online supermarket, I can pick where I buy books and clothes and watch TV. I cannot choose whether or not to interact with the state, it is not the same as going shopping.
"[The state] needs to feel more like your banking or shopping app. It’s in your hand. It’s easy to do.”
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Labour’s digital ID ‘will cut red tape and make modern life easier’
Darren Jones, chief secretary to the prime minister, says the voluntary app is a crucial step towards making the state fit for the 21st century
www.thetimes.com
January 17, 2026 at 3:51 PM
I can choose my bank, I can choose my online supermarket, I can pick where I buy books and clothes and watch TV. I cannot choose whether or not to interact with the state, it is not the same as going shopping.
A great thread from @cassiarowland.bsky.social - one of these inaccuracies is the q of the use of AI. Our recent Whitehall Monitor AI chapter emphasises that these new tools do not exist in a void; existing systems must adapt to mitigate new risks
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
There is clearly a conflict between what West Mids police say they were told by the Dutch police and what the Dutch police say they said. But there also seem to have been other inaccuracies in West Mids reporting of intelligence/evidence.
January 15, 2026 at 12:03 PM
A great thread from @cassiarowland.bsky.social - one of these inaccuracies is the q of the use of AI. Our recent Whitehall Monitor AI chapter emphasises that these new tools do not exist in a void; existing systems must adapt to mitigate new risks
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Good article by @matildamartin.bsky.social about govt discussions on dropping the compulsory right to work aspect. David Normington in the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk digital ID event spoke about the 2006 govt not making ID cards compulsory at first “to try to show people what the benefits were”
Exclusive: Government is considering watering down a key element of the Digital ID scheme
Government previously said Digital ID would be mandatory for Right to Work checks from 2029.
But this could now be introduced as optional, PoliticsHome understands
Government previously said Digital ID would be mandatory for Right to Work checks from 2029.
But this could now be introduced as optional, PoliticsHome understands
Government Considers Watering Down Mandatory Element Of Digital ID
Exclusive: There are discussions within government about introducing a key part of the digital ID scheme as optional, rather than as mandatory, Pol...
www.politicshome.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Good article by @matildamartin.bsky.social about govt discussions on dropping the compulsory right to work aspect. David Normington in the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk digital ID event spoke about the 2006 govt not making ID cards compulsory at first “to try to show people what the benefits were”
I look forward to hearing more details on the digital ID in the near future, both in DJ's upcoming speech and the consultation launching "very shortly"! (5/5)
January 13, 2026 at 3:32 PM
I look forward to hearing more details on the digital ID in the near future, both in DJ's upcoming speech and the consultation launching "very shortly"! (5/5)
I wrote in Dec that the govt still has qs to answer on digital ID. Two of these are about including the 'digitally excluded' and how they access services & clarifying the place of existing ID verification projects in govt (like OneLogin) (4/5)
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...
The government still has questions to answer on digital IDs | Institute for Government
What does the government need to do to move its digital ID plans forward?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
January 13, 2026 at 3:32 PM
I wrote in Dec that the govt still has qs to answer on digital ID. Two of these are about including the 'digitally excluded' and how they access services & clarifying the place of existing ID verification projects in govt (like OneLogin) (4/5)
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...
This is a positive vision. But it risks using one tool to try and achieve a broad - currently undefined - aim (digital transformation), which this year's Whitehall Monitor highlights is more complicated that single transformation initiatives (like Pay and Notify) (3/5)
January 13, 2026 at 3:32 PM
This is a positive vision. But it risks using one tool to try and achieve a broad - currently undefined - aim (digital transformation), which this year's Whitehall Monitor highlights is more complicated that single transformation initiatives (like Pay and Notify) (3/5)
DJ: "we don't build and deliver services that allow the customer - the taxpayer - to control the engagement and ease of access to those public services, so I am positive that digital ID will be seen to be popular" (2/5)
January 13, 2026 at 3:32 PM
DJ: "we don't build and deliver services that allow the customer - the taxpayer - to control the engagement and ease of access to those public services, so I am positive that digital ID will be seen to be popular" (2/5)
Darren Jones at the IfG: "digital ID is about logging in and proving who you are to access public services online. That will be not just the route to digital transformation of customer-facing public services but a very clear focus in the future on the customer" (1/5)
January 13, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Darren Jones at the IfG: "digital ID is about logging in and proving who you are to access public services online. That will be not just the route to digital transformation of customer-facing public services but a very clear focus in the future on the customer" (1/5)
Reposted by Heloise Dunlop
"A year and a half on, it's hard to say that the Civil Service is meaningfully different to the one Labour was introduced to in 2024"
Labour's bid to rewire the state was welcome and necessary. However, worrying Whitehall trends have tended to get worse
writes the IfG's @hannahkeenan.bsky.social
Labour's bid to rewire the state was welcome and necessary. However, worrying Whitehall trends have tended to get worse
writes the IfG's @hannahkeenan.bsky.social
The 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...
www.politicshome.com
January 13, 2026 at 1:16 PM
"A year and a half on, it's hard to say that the Civil Service is meaningfully different to the one Labour was introduced to in 2024"
Labour's bid to rewire the state was welcome and necessary. However, worrying Whitehall trends have tended to get worse
writes the IfG's @hannahkeenan.bsky.social
Labour's bid to rewire the state was welcome and necessary. However, worrying Whitehall trends have tended to get worse
writes the IfG's @hannahkeenan.bsky.social
Digital services and GOV.UK are one of the main ways that citizens interact with govt. Whether a service is too complicated, or works brilliantly, can make a big difference. Why passport service and repeat prescriptions work is they fixed a particular (visible) problem, and stopped there. (3/3)
January 13, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Digital services and GOV.UK are one of the main ways that citizens interact with govt. Whether a service is too complicated, or works brilliantly, can make a big difference. Why passport service and repeat prescriptions work is they fixed a particular (visible) problem, and stopped there. (3/3)
This leadership needs to be at the highest levels of departments (something the blueprint released by DSIT last January called for). An e.g. of a potential success story, OneLogin (the in-progress single login for govt services), has relied on sustained cross-govt leadership. (2/3)
January 13, 2026 at 2:22 PM
This leadership needs to be at the highest levels of departments (something the blueprint released by DSIT last January called for). An e.g. of a potential success story, OneLogin (the in-progress single login for govt services), has relied on sustained cross-govt leadership. (2/3)
A great post from @samfr.bsky.social today showing that sometimes the small wins have a big impact. The digital transformation chapter in the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Whitehall Monitor 2026 highlights the fact that digital successes rely on collaboration and leadership. (1/3)
New post just out:
"Troubleshooters"
How fixing the many small frustrations - that make up most of our interactions with the state - can give people faith in goverment's ability to make things work.
And help create a different Whitehall culture.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
"Troubleshooters"
How fixing the many small frustrations - that make up most of our interactions with the state - can give people faith in goverment's ability to make things work.
And help create a different Whitehall culture.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
Troubleshooters
How to get people believing in the state again
open.substack.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:22 PM
A great post from @samfr.bsky.social today showing that sometimes the small wins have a big impact. The digital transformation chapter in the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Whitehall Monitor 2026 highlights the fact that digital successes rely on collaboration and leadership. (1/3)
Reposted by Heloise Dunlop
Another from @hcdunlop.bsky.social and @melissaittoo.bsky.social
There have been..quite a lot..of digital transformation strategies since 2010…
There have been..quite a lot..of digital transformation strategies since 2010…
January 13, 2026 at 1:36 PM
Another from @hcdunlop.bsky.social and @melissaittoo.bsky.social
There have been..quite a lot..of digital transformation strategies since 2010…
There have been..quite a lot..of digital transformation strategies since 2010…
Pressures - both political and practical - are only increasing for these 5 depts, and, long-term, they could need more operational capacity. What does this mean for the size of the CS given that the profession has a significant impact on CS numbers? (2/2)
January 13, 2026 at 1:46 PM
Pressures - both political and practical - are only increasing for these 5 depts, and, long-term, they could need more operational capacity. What does this mean for the size of the CS given that the profession has a significant impact on CS numbers? (2/2)
These 5 depts make up 68% of the civil service - with operational delivery a large proportion of those depts' numbers (as the graph @philipnye.bsky.social has posted shows!). (1/2)
Great analysis from @hcdunlop.bsky.social shows quite how big the biggest departments are – and how operational delivery-focused they are
Over half of civil servants are part of the operational delivery profession - but 82% of operational delivery staff are in MoJ/DWP/HMRC/MoD/HO
Over half of civil servants are part of the operational delivery profession - but 82% of operational delivery staff are in MoJ/DWP/HMRC/MoD/HO
January 13, 2026 at 1:46 PM
These 5 depts make up 68% of the civil service - with operational delivery a large proportion of those depts' numbers (as the graph @philipnye.bsky.social has posted shows!). (1/2)
We also looked at AI in more detail, given the govt's focus on it. AI is not a "productivity panacea" - deep-seated problems like legacy IT & poor data need tackling; organisational systems won't adapt spontaneously - a coordinated focus on how best to incorporate AI into processes is needed. (3/3)
January 13, 2026 at 10:30 AM
We also looked at AI in more detail, given the govt's focus on it. AI is not a "productivity panacea" - deep-seated problems like legacy IT & poor data need tackling; organisational systems won't adapt spontaneously - a coordinated focus on how best to incorporate AI into processes is needed. (3/3)
We see that govt after govt has promised change through digi transformation. But digi transformation is not just about tech, it's also about people and culture change, which is much harder. The chapter explores what the govt can do if this is what it wants (2/3)
January 13, 2026 at 10:30 AM
We see that govt after govt has promised change through digi transformation. But digi transformation is not just about tech, it's also about people and culture change, which is much harder. The chapter explores what the govt can do if this is what it wants (2/3)
This 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)
📢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 10:30 AM
This 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)
It was interesting to talk to @matildamartin.bsky.social about what to look out for in digital ID this year - a lot for govt to consider and many questions still to answer...
The govt will soon publish its public consultation on digital ID
But after the scheme's negative reception, govt faces an uphill battle and what one Labour MP described to me as a “ticking time bomb” in its bid to persuade the public to get behind the policy
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
But after the scheme's negative reception, govt faces an uphill battle and what one Labour MP described to me as a “ticking time bomb” in its bid to persuade the public to get behind the policy
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Can Labour Persuade The Public To Get Behind Digital ID In 2026?
The government faces what one Labour MP described as a “ticking time bomb” in its bid to persuade the public to get behind its digital ID policy ne...
www.politicshome.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:53 PM
It was interesting to talk to @matildamartin.bsky.social about what to look out for in digital ID this year - a lot for govt to consider and many questions still to answer...
Reposted by Heloise Dunlop
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/...
If you want to see some further thoughts from our expert panel on digital ID, my colleague @meganbryer.bsky.social has a fascinating thread which includes clips of our speakers (and the results of our small snap poll!)
1/ At the IfG, we have been following the government’s announcements on digital ID closely. Last month, we were joined by an expert panel to discuss the potential opportunities and challenges of implementing the policy.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
The government's digital ID plan: Why now and what for? | Institute for Government
An expert panel discusses what problems digital ID would solve and the challenges of implementing the policy.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
December 4, 2025 at 1:45 PM
If you want to see some further thoughts from our expert panel on digital ID, my colleague @meganbryer.bsky.social has a fascinating thread which includes clips of our speakers (and the results of our small snap poll!)
But the cost is not the only question govt needs to answer to make this scheme work. Following our panel with @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social @matthewfeeney.bsky.social @morganwild.bsky.social & Sir David Normington, I highlight some qs for govt: (4/4)
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/article/comm...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/article/comm...
The government still has questions to answer on digital IDs | Institute for Government
What does the government need to do to move its digital ID plans forward?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
December 3, 2025 at 2:41 PM
But the cost is not the only question govt needs to answer to make this scheme work. Following our panel with @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social @matthewfeeney.bsky.social @morganwild.bsky.social & Sir David Normington, I highlight some qs for govt: (4/4)
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/article/comm...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/article/comm...
Today in the committee DSIT's permanent secretary emphasised that the cost was not yet confirmed - "only once we've consulted that we will be really clear on what it is that we have to build and in what order" would a cost estimate be clearer (3/4)
December 3, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Today in the committee DSIT's permanent secretary emphasised that the cost was not yet confirmed - "only once we've consulted that we will be really clear on what it is that we have to build and in what order" would a cost estimate be clearer (3/4)