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.
Reposted by Heloise Dunlop
We’re going to be navigating a likely polarising environment with information fragmentation…
The chance to maintain common facts and a shared information space - alongside passionate disagreement and political debate - is one of the UK’s potential strengths. The BBC is surely essential for that
The chance to maintain common facts and a shared information space - alongside passionate disagreement and political debate - is one of the UK’s potential strengths. The BBC is surely essential for that
November 10, 2025 at 10:27 PM
We’re going to be navigating a likely polarising environment with information fragmentation…
The chance to maintain common facts and a shared information space - alongside passionate disagreement and political debate - is one of the UK’s potential strengths. The BBC is surely essential for that
The chance to maintain common facts and a shared information space - alongside passionate disagreement and political debate - is one of the UK’s potential strengths. The BBC is surely essential for that
Reposted by Heloise Dunlop
Rachel Reeves cannot start to blame Brexit now for her economic fix
@jillongovt.bsky.social takes a closer look at why the government is talking about Brexit and the economy again www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...
@jillongovt.bsky.social takes a closer look at why the government is talking about Brexit and the economy again www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...
Rachel Reeves cannot start to blame Brexit now for her economic fix | Institute for Government
Why is the government talking about Brexit and the economy again?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 3, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Rachel Reeves cannot start to blame Brexit now for her economic fix
@jillongovt.bsky.social takes a closer look at why the government is talking about Brexit and the economy again www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...
@jillongovt.bsky.social takes a closer look at why the government is talking about Brexit and the economy again www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...
Excited for this event at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk with a great panel to discuss some of the opportunities and challenges for digital ID!
EVENT | The government's digital ID plan: why now and what for?💳
@rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social, @bigbrotherwatch.bsky.social, @labourtogether.bsky.social, @timdurrant.bsky.social
discuss the advantages and challenges of implementing digital IDs.
🎟️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
@rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social, @bigbrotherwatch.bsky.social, @labourtogether.bsky.social, @timdurrant.bsky.social
discuss the advantages and challenges of implementing digital IDs.
🎟️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
October 27, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Excited for this event at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk with a great panel to discuss some of the opportunities and challenges for digital ID!
My thoughts on the recently shared Nick Timothy review for the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/shab...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/shab...
Shabana Mahmood must make the Home Office “fit for purpose” | Institute for Government
The Nick Timothy review reveals some familiar and worrying failings about the Home Office.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 24, 2025 at 3:18 PM
My thoughts on the recently shared Nick Timothy review for the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/shab...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/shab...
Good comment from @timdurrant.bsky.social - DSIT has struggled to become the "digital centre of government" and faced a huge culture shift (it was mainly policy & science and engineering staff before GDS moved there from Cabinet Office). (1/2)
Niche post: the government has announced that the Cabinet Office, rather than the Govt Digital Service (part of the Dept for Science and Tech, DSIT), will run the Digital ID programme
When Labour came in they moved much of govt's central digital capability to DSIT...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
When Labour came in they moved much of govt's central digital capability to DSIT...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Machinery of government: digital ID
The government has announced a machinery of government change
www.gov.uk
October 23, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Good comment from @timdurrant.bsky.social - DSIT has struggled to become the "digital centre of government" and faced a huge culture shift (it was mainly policy & science and engineering staff before GDS moved there from Cabinet Office). (1/2)
There are different forms of digital ID which different countries have launched (from a digitised ID card, to a OneLogin-type verification, to an ID giving access to services). Govt’s current path is politicised + complex. A simple vision would give a win and be less likely to maybe have hiccups…
In the current climate, the government has guaranteed itself a huge fight with Reform and the online right over ID, and having tied it to immigration that could just mean it keeps Reform’s best issue in the headlines even more than it already is. Plus the conspiratorial right *hates* this stuff.
September 26, 2025 at 12:41 PM
There are different forms of digital ID which different countries have launched (from a digitised ID card, to a OneLogin-type verification, to an ID giving access to services). Govt’s current path is politicised + complex. A simple vision would give a win and be less likely to maybe have hiccups…
Reposted by Heloise Dunlop
Great thread from Rachel. I'm surprised how many people are gamely declaring this won't be that complicated to deliver bc tech/infrastructure already exists & it's 'just linking databases'. a) *some* of the infrastructure already exists & b) linking databases can, actually, be extremely complicated!
Here's the press release for digital ID and it is quite the shopping list of features. My first concern here is for the team who need to deliver quickly against the mix of a general purpose "do everything" app and a fairly specific set of features set out here www.gov.uk/government/n...
New digital ID scheme to be rolled out across UK
A new digital ID scheme will help combat illegal working while making it easier for the vast majority of people to use vital government services. Digital ID will be mandatory for Right to Work checks ...
www.gov.uk
September 26, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Great thread from Rachel. I'm surprised how many people are gamely declaring this won't be that complicated to deliver bc tech/infrastructure already exists & it's 'just linking databases'. a) *some* of the infrastructure already exists & b) linking databases can, actually, be extremely complicated!
I was a delivery manager on a major data transformation project; cleaning and joining up data within one database in one department was challenging enough without the expectation of joining up journeys across many departments. Digital ID is important - but govt is not making success easy! (1/2)
Delivering something that 35m working-age adults can use within this parliament probably requires starting with a single, simple task, getting it right and expanding from there. But this is a long old shopping list that joins up all the things and contains many complex user journeys and user needs
September 26, 2025 at 12:11 PM
I was a delivery manager on a major data transformation project; cleaning and joining up data within one database in one department was challenging enough without the expectation of joining up journeys across many departments. Digital ID is important - but govt is not making success easy! (1/2)
I strongly recommend giving my colleague @teodorgrama.bsky.social's report on the civil service fast stream a read - there are some excellent insights into the fast stream, its history, and how it could be best reformed to help the civil service hire future leaders.
Great to see our latest @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report on the fast stream covered in The Guardian.
The civil service wants the fast stream to do too much, all at once. A smaller programme that is laser-focused on developing future leaders would deliver more for the civil service.
The civil service wants the fast stream to do too much, all at once. A smaller programme that is laser-focused on developing future leaders would deliver more for the civil service.
Civil service graduate talent scheme needs urgent reform, says thinktank
Exclusive: Institute for Government says failings are leading many fast streamers to leave programme early
www.theguardian.com
September 4, 2025 at 10:34 AM
I strongly recommend giving my colleague @teodorgrama.bsky.social's report on the civil service fast stream a read - there are some excellent insights into the fast stream, its history, and how it could be best reformed to help the civil service hire future leaders.
Reposted by Heloise Dunlop
As with all coverage of the civil service internship scheme, it is important to remember:
(1) It allows those on it to skip one of 2 or 3 stages of the fast stream recruitment process. Former interns then compete on an equal footing with any and all other applicants to get on the fast stream.
(1) It allows those on it to skip one of 2 or 3 stages of the fast stream recruitment process. Former interns then compete on an equal footing with any and all other applicants to get on the fast stream.
Sue Gray questions class-based civil service internship scheme
The PM's former chief of staff says she
www.bbc.co.uk
September 3, 2025 at 10:42 AM
As with all coverage of the civil service internship scheme, it is important to remember:
(1) It allows those on it to skip one of 2 or 3 stages of the fast stream recruitment process. Former interns then compete on an equal footing with any and all other applicants to get on the fast stream.
(1) It allows those on it to skip one of 2 or 3 stages of the fast stream recruitment process. Former interns then compete on an equal footing with any and all other applicants to get on the fast stream.
Reposted by Heloise Dunlop
Think 2 big risks in No.10 shake-up are (a) more big figures & no clarity on who does what means duplicative work gumming up the system, and (b) the 'change the way the state works' bit of missions gets totally cannibalised by the 'deliver the plan for change targets' bit of missions.
September 2, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Think 2 big risks in No.10 shake-up are (a) more big figures & no clarity on who does what means duplicative work gumming up the system, and (b) the 'change the way the state works' bit of missions gets totally cannibalised by the 'deliver the plan for change targets' bit of missions.
Reposted by Heloise Dunlop
What does the Darren Jones move to be first ever “chief secretary to the PM” mean for the govt? Here’s our take…
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/keir...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/keir...
Keir Starmer’s No10 reshuffle must provide coherence and clarity | Institute for Government
Moving a chief secretary from the Treasury to No10 is a big call for the prime minister.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
September 1, 2025 at 3:48 PM
What does the Darren Jones move to be first ever “chief secretary to the PM” mean for the govt? Here’s our take…
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/keir...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/keir...
Reposted by Heloise Dunlop
I am really very certain - having also seen 4 iterations of No.10 while working in the Cabinet Office - that adding more people to the centre of government is not the solution here.
If the shake-up is on, it better be a proper one.
If the shake-up is on, it better be a proper one.
August 29, 2025 at 10:37 AM
I am really very certain - having also seen 4 iterations of No.10 while working in the Cabinet Office - that adding more people to the centre of government is not the solution here.
If the shake-up is on, it better be a proper one.
If the shake-up is on, it better be a proper one.
Fascinating report from my colleague @amberdellar.bsky.social today - do give it a read!
NEW REPORT: how does where you live and your background affect how you do at school?
- Inequalities have widened around the country and between groups of children since the pandemic
- Progress depends on sharing what works to support disadvantaged pupils & cutting high absence
🧵👇
- Inequalities have widened around the country and between groups of children since the pandemic
- Progress depends on sharing what works to support disadvantaged pupils & cutting high absence
🧵👇
Educational outcomes across England | Institute for Government
Examining the performance gaps in schools.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
August 20, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Fascinating report from my colleague @amberdellar.bsky.social today - do give it a read!
The government has filled the vacancy of PM’s AI Advisor, which Matt Clifford left in June – appointing Jade Leung, who has been CTO of the AI Security Institute since 2023. Before that, she worked at OpenAI as governance and policy advisor. (1/4)
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Appointment of Jade Leung as the Prime Minister’s AI adviser
Jade Leung will support the Prime Minister in unlocking the benefits of artificial intelligence
www.gov.uk
August 18, 2025 at 1:42 PM
The government has filled the vacancy of PM’s AI Advisor, which Matt Clifford left in June – appointing Jade Leung, who has been CTO of the AI Security Institute since 2023. Before that, she worked at OpenAI as governance and policy advisor. (1/4)
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
@alexgathomas.bsky.social, @hannahkeenan.bsky.social and I respond to the Cabinet Office's announcement about the new(ish) internship scheme:
Here’s our rapid comment on the civil service working class intern proposal - from @hannahkeenan.bsky.social @hcdunlop.bsky.social and me
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/soci...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/soci...
August 1, 2025 at 2:37 PM
@alexgathomas.bsky.social, @hannahkeenan.bsky.social and I respond to the Cabinet Office's announcement about the new(ish) internship scheme:
Reposted by Heloise Dunlop
Civil service pay is another interesting story in this year's stats, with real terms pay ticking up again as expected...
Happy civil service statistics release day to all who celebrate!
Lots more to come from colleagues @jackworlidge.bsky.social, @hcdunlop.bsky.social, and @alexgathomas.bsky.social, but some initial thoughts on turnover, and the possibility that churn is hiding in the stats...
Lots more to come from colleagues @jackworlidge.bsky.social, @hcdunlop.bsky.social, and @alexgathomas.bsky.social, but some initial thoughts on turnover, and the possibility that churn is hiding in the stats...
July 31, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Civil service pay is another interesting story in this year's stats, with real terms pay ticking up again as expected...
Reposted by Heloise Dunlop
Happy civil service statistics release day to all who celebrate!
Lots more to come from colleagues @jackworlidge.bsky.social, @hcdunlop.bsky.social, and @alexgathomas.bsky.social, but some initial thoughts on turnover, and the possibility that churn is hiding in the stats...
Lots more to come from colleagues @jackworlidge.bsky.social, @hcdunlop.bsky.social, and @alexgathomas.bsky.social, but some initial thoughts on turnover, and the possibility that churn is hiding in the stats...
July 30, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Happy civil service statistics release day to all who celebrate!
Lots more to come from colleagues @jackworlidge.bsky.social, @hcdunlop.bsky.social, and @alexgathomas.bsky.social, but some initial thoughts on turnover, and the possibility that churn is hiding in the stats...
Lots more to come from colleagues @jackworlidge.bsky.social, @hcdunlop.bsky.social, and @alexgathomas.bsky.social, but some initial thoughts on turnover, and the possibility that churn is hiding in the stats...
Joining @hannahkeenan.bsky.social and @jackworlidge.bsky.social, looking at grades in this year's CS Stats, the growth of Grades 6/7 continues, rising 5% from 2024. All grades have continued to grow, except AO/AA. But growth is slowing - except for SCS, which grew more in 2024-25 than 2023-24. (1/2)
July 31, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Joining @hannahkeenan.bsky.social and @jackworlidge.bsky.social, looking at grades in this year's CS Stats, the growth of Grades 6/7 continues, rising 5% from 2024. All grades have continued to grow, except AO/AA. But growth is slowing - except for SCS, which grew more in 2024-25 than 2023-24. (1/2)
The Cabinet Office has announced “innovation squads” in an additional 10 locations in England as part of the government’s ‘Test, Learn and Grow’ programme for its Plan for Change – but are these small pilot initiatives getting confused? (1/5)
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Communities across the country to benefit from ‘innovation squads’ to re-build public services
Working people across England are set to benefit from better public services, with ‘innovation squads’ sent in to back community ideas and work with the frontline as part of a £100 million ‘Test, Lear...
www.gov.uk
July 17, 2025 at 1:45 PM
The Cabinet Office has announced “innovation squads” in an additional 10 locations in England as part of the government’s ‘Test, Learn and Grow’ programme for its Plan for Change – but are these small pilot initiatives getting confused? (1/5)
www.gov.uk/government/n...
www.gov.uk/government/n...
A delayed repost of this fascinating report by @adalovelaceinst.bsky.social and the Alan Turing Institute. (1/3)
📣 72% of the UK public say laws and regulations would increase their comfort with AI. This is an increase from 62% in 2022/23.
Explore the findings from the second wave of our nationally representative survey in partnership with the Alan Turing Institute: attitudestoai.uk
Explore the findings from the second wave of our nationally representative survey in partnership with the Alan Turing Institute: attitudestoai.uk
Home
attitudestoai.uk
July 17, 2025 at 10:32 AM
A delayed repost of this fascinating report by @adalovelaceinst.bsky.social and the Alan Turing Institute. (1/3)
Reposted by Heloise Dunlop
1/ The government’s response to the open letter co-ordinated by @instituteforgovernment.org.uk (@drhannahwhite.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social) on civil servants speaking in public is not only disappointing, but also surprising...
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 12:06 PM
1/ The government’s response to the open letter co-ordinated by @instituteforgovernment.org.uk (@drhannahwhite.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social) on civil servants speaking in public is not only disappointing, but also surprising...
Digitalisation and AI at the heart of govt's reform agenda - central to departments achieving their efficiency savings and admin cuts. With its digital and AI roadmap out this autumn, these officials will be central to its delivery. Can they deliver on a strategy they are not here to shape now?
So now we're just waiting for:
- Govt Chief Digital Officer (and head of GDS, www.publictechnology.net/2025/06/23/e...)
- Govt Chief Data Officer
- Govt Chief AI Officer
- National Statistician
- ONS perm sec (www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...)
- Govt Chief Digital Officer (and head of GDS, www.publictechnology.net/2025/06/23/e...)
- Govt Chief Data Officer
- Govt Chief AI Officer
- National Statistician
- ONS perm sec (www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...)
Devereux review highlights ‘deep seated issues’ at ONS
National statistician job and perm sec role will be separated as part of government’s response
www.civilserviceworld.com
June 30, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Digitalisation and AI at the heart of govt's reform agenda - central to departments achieving their efficiency savings and admin cuts. With its digital and AI roadmap out this autumn, these officials will be central to its delivery. Can they deliver on a strategy they are not here to shape now?
Reposted by Heloise Dunlop
A reset squandered: the civil service in Labour’s first year
Keir Starmer’s “tepid bath of managed decline” jibe soured relations between ministers and officials.
Find out how the government has fared on civil service reform over the past 12 months www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/one-...
Keir Starmer’s “tepid bath of managed decline” jibe soured relations between ministers and officials.
Find out how the government has fared on civil service reform over the past 12 months www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/one-...
A reset squandered: the civil service in Labour’s first year | Institute for Government
Keir Starmer’s “tepid bath of managed decline” jibe soured relations between ministers and officials
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
June 30, 2025 at 2:44 PM
A reset squandered: the civil service in Labour’s first year
Keir Starmer’s “tepid bath of managed decline” jibe soured relations between ministers and officials.
Find out how the government has fared on civil service reform over the past 12 months www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/one-...
Keir Starmer’s “tepid bath of managed decline” jibe soured relations between ministers and officials.
Find out how the government has fared on civil service reform over the past 12 months www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/one-...
Reposted by Heloise Dunlop
1/ This is an important comment on civil servant's public voice from @drhannahwhite.bsky.social and @alexgathomas.bsky.social at @instituteforgovernment.org.uk. And it could have particular implications for public bodies and regulators. A short thread...
The government should not ban public servants from speaking in public
A private instruction that prevents government officials from speaking at public events is counter-productive. It will lead to a more closed government and less effective policy www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...
A private instruction that prevents government officials from speaking at public events is counter-productive. It will lead to a more closed government and less effective policy www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...
The government should not ban public servants from speaking in public | Institute for Government
New guidance will damage the quality of government and public discourse.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
June 26, 2025 at 1:36 PM
1/ This is an important comment on civil servant's public voice from @drhannahwhite.bsky.social and @alexgathomas.bsky.social at @instituteforgovernment.org.uk. And it could have particular implications for public bodies and regulators. A short thread...