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”
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
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…
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)
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!)
The govt appears committed to driving forward digital IDs - the responsibility for the scheme now sits in the Cabinet Office, led by Darren Jones, and was described by Liz Kendall in the science, innovation and technology committee today as one of the PM's "top priorities" (1/4)
December 3, 2025 at 2:41 PM
The govt appears committed to driving forward digital IDs - the responsibility for the scheme now sits in the Cabinet Office, led by Darren Jones, and was described by Liz Kendall in the science, innovation and technology committee today as one of the PM's "top priorities" (1/4)
Reposted by Heloise Dunlop
NEW: Report from me and @nehaldavison.bsky.social on how and why boys from low-income families get left behind in their early years
🧵⬇️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
🧵⬇️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
The opportunity gap facing boys from low-income families at age 5 and beyond | Institute for Government
Early attainment gaps mean some boys don't just start behind, they stay behind.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 20, 2025 at 7:41 AM
NEW: Report from me and @nehaldavison.bsky.social on how and why boys from low-income families get left behind in their early years
🧵⬇️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
🧵⬇️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
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.