Yesterday the Cabinet Office published the ministerial direction on Chris Wormald's exit payment 👇

This has been discussed a bit in the media, mainly in terms of 'civil service tried to block the huge payout'

A few points on this..

www.gov.uk/government/p...

Yesterday, the PM issued a ministerial direction to Cabinet Office perm sec Cat Little relating to Chris Wormald's severance package after he stepped down as cabinet secretary.

Why was a ministerial direction needed? Thread below and our updated explainer has all you need to know:

After Darren Jones joined IfG this week, @hannahkeenan.bsky.social and I had some thoughts about how he can make good on his plans for reforming the state:

- show that his plan is different to those that have come before
- ensure he's not spreading himself too thinly
- set a clear vision

Since the 2024 general election, 11 ministers have resigned from Keir Starmer’s government. Which ministers have resigned and why?

New explainer by @meganbryer.bsky.social is out now!

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/article/expl...

📝Our new @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report with @jackpannell.bsky.social & @emmanorris.bsky.social out today sets out out the underlying problems with the way public inquiries are established

We argue ministers need better support to make informed decisions about how an inquiry should be set up

1/ The latest ONS data on public sector employment shows that the civil service has grown (again).

After 2 consecutive quarters of plateauing growth, the CS grew in Q3 by 3490 (0.6%) to 520440 FTE. This is the highest quarterly increase since Labour came to power.

@instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Last week at @instituteforgovernment.org.uk, we published a new set of Ministers Reflect interviews with Sajid Javid, Simon Hart and Theresa Villiers.

My comment piece below explores the key lessons Starmer's govt can take from these reflections.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/less...

Excited to publish our latest batch of Ministers Reflect interviews! We spoke with former health secretary and chancellor Sajid Javid, former Wales secretary and chief whip Simon Hart, and former Defra secretary Theresa Villiers.

Some highlights…

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/ministers-re...

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)

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...

1/ Last month, the government released a new list of its parliamentary private secretaries and cabinet committees following September’s reshuffle.

Our explainers are updated with the new numbers!

Here are some key takeaways from the releases…

This afternoon my colleagues at @instituteforgovernment.org.uk will be discussing the second covid inquiry report. Join us online at lunchtime & bring your questions - see you there!

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/covid-...

Really pleased to have contributed to the new criminal justice section of Performance Tracker 2025, now live on the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk’s website. It brings together new analysis on police, criminal courts and prisons. Some thoughts below. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

Special Delivery! @emma-conway.bsky.social and I have been thinking about how Keir Starmer and co (especially Darren Jones) can make a success of 'phase two' - which is all about delivering on the government's priorities. Read more here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/star...

Angela Rayner's resignation on Friday means that a contest to replace her as deputy leader of the Labour Party has started.

Read my first explainer at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk to find out how the process will work, who is running, and when will we find out who Rayner's successor will be!