Nick Davies
@njdavies.bsky.social
Programme Director at @instituteforgovernment.org.uk working on public services
Pinned
Nick Davies
@njdavies.bsky.social
· Nov 19
NEW: Labour inherited public services in crisis. Performance had fallen, investment had been cut + spending plans were undeliverable.
It's made some progress, providing stability and positive long-term plans. But it has been undermined by poor prep in opposition and lack of co-ordination in govt 🧵
It's made some progress, providing stability and positive long-term plans. But it has been undermined by poor prep in opposition and lack of co-ordination in govt 🧵
Reposted by Nick Davies
Details of public health grants to councils were published yesterday (we're shifting treatment to prevention, remember)
But they appear to confirm my story from December that the grant will be held flat in real terms / eroded over the next three years. (lnkd.in/eXQx3Jbb)
But they appear to confirm my story from December that the grant will be held flat in real terms / eroded over the next three years. (lnkd.in/eXQx3Jbb)
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
lnkd.in
February 10, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Details of public health grants to councils were published yesterday (we're shifting treatment to prevention, remember)
But they appear to confirm my story from December that the grant will be held flat in real terms / eroded over the next three years. (lnkd.in/eXQx3Jbb)
But they appear to confirm my story from December that the grant will be held flat in real terms / eroded over the next three years. (lnkd.in/eXQx3Jbb)
Reposted by Nick Davies
Our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk conclusion on Chris Wormald’s time as cabinet secretary - and what needs to come next
By me and @hannahkeenan.bsky.social
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/next...
By me and @hannahkeenan.bsky.social
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/next...
Keir Starmer’s next cabinet secretary must learn the lessons from Chris Wormald’s mistakes | Institute for Government
The next cabinet secretary needs to be a far more visible civil service leader.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
February 10, 2026 at 10:58 PM
Our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk conclusion on Chris Wormald’s time as cabinet secretary - and what needs to come next
By me and @hannahkeenan.bsky.social
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/next...
By me and @hannahkeenan.bsky.social
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/next...
Reposted by Nick Davies
Major news for local government finance. Great that there's now more certainty - without action it's likely the majority of councils would have faced 'bankruptcy' in 28/29.
But unclear (at least to me) where the £5bn is coming from. For context that's about 8% of the core schools funding for 25/26
But unclear (at least to me) where the £5bn is coming from. For context that's about 8% of the core schools funding for 25/26
Breaking: The government has pledged write off 90 per cent of councils’ historic SEND deficits – estimated to be worth £5 billion
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/government-to-write-off-90-of-councils-send-deficits/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/government-to-write-off-90-of-councils-send-deficits/
Government to write of 90% of councils' SEND deficits
Local authorities will get a grant to cover all but 10% of deficits accrued by the end of 2025-26
schoolsweek.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 10:34 AM
Major news for local government finance. Great that there's now more certainty - without action it's likely the majority of councils would have faced 'bankruptcy' in 28/29.
But unclear (at least to me) where the £5bn is coming from. For context that's about 8% of the core schools funding for 25/26
But unclear (at least to me) where the £5bn is coming from. For context that's about 8% of the core schools funding for 25/26
Reposted by Nick Davies
Time for my increasingly frequent, 'there's a clear Trend on this chart' joke
February 10, 2026 at 11:16 AM
Time for my increasingly frequent, 'there's a clear Trend on this chart' joke
Reposted by Nick Davies
It’s a tough job and govt leadership hasn’t made it easier. But one mistake for example is that I don’t think Wormald agrees the cab sec as leader of half a million people is at least a semi-public role. I think that horse has long since bolted and you need to lead more actively as head of the CS
February 10, 2026 at 7:38 AM
It’s a tough job and govt leadership hasn’t made it easier. But one mistake for example is that I don’t think Wormald agrees the cab sec as leader of half a million people is at least a semi-public role. I think that horse has long since bolted and you need to lead more actively as head of the CS
I have listened to these bands many, many times but never once have i thought “now I’m ready to land a backside 1260 melon and a Cab 1080 stalefish”
February 9, 2026 at 7:58 AM
I have listened to these bands many, many times but never once have i thought “now I’m ready to land a backside 1260 melon and a Cab 1080 stalefish”
Govt's court reforms have focussed on crown court backlogs, but they will put more pressure on magistrates courts that also have record backlogs. A great new @transformjustice.bsky.social report looks at the causes of poor productivity in the magistrates
Beyond reasonable delay: efficiency in London magistrates’ courts - Transform Justice
www.transformjustice.org.uk
February 2, 2026 at 1:21 PM
Govt's court reforms have focussed on crown court backlogs, but they will put more pressure on magistrates courts that also have record backlogs. A great new @transformjustice.bsky.social report looks at the causes of poor productivity in the magistrates
I can feel myself being radicalised into believing we need complete technology independence from the US every time the Apple keyboard autocorrects ‘tea’ to ‘yea’
February 1, 2026 at 7:58 PM
I can feel myself being radicalised into believing we need complete technology independence from the US every time the Apple keyboard autocorrects ‘tea’ to ‘yea’
Reposted by Nick Davies
Really good piece, and not (just) because it cites me! Illustrates so clearly why reliable data that *tells you something meaningful* is so critical. It lets you make informed policy choices, and it lets you explain and advocate for those choices to get people on board.
Great FT piece citing @cassiarowland.bsky.social’s analysis which shows gov plans to radically reduce jury trials save relatively little court capacity. The should focus on court productivity instead
Also makes important point that MoJ data is poor. Needs to be fixed asap
ep.ft.com/permalink/em...
Also makes important point that MoJ data is poor. Needs to be fixed asap
ep.ft.com/permalink/em...
The absence of government modelling to justify curtailing the right to trial by jury has allowed opponents to make all the running — and that may yet precipitate another Labour U-turn. It has also exposed a lack of good data to monitor one specific problem that is contributing to trial delays every day.
ep.ft.com
January 30, 2026 at 10:34 AM
Really good piece, and not (just) because it cites me! Illustrates so clearly why reliable data that *tells you something meaningful* is so critical. It lets you make informed policy choices, and it lets you explain and advocate for those choices to get people on board.
Great FT piece citing @cassiarowland.bsky.social’s analysis which shows gov plans to radically reduce jury trials save relatively little court capacity. The should focus on court productivity instead
Also makes important point that MoJ data is poor. Needs to be fixed asap
ep.ft.com/permalink/em...
Also makes important point that MoJ data is poor. Needs to be fixed asap
ep.ft.com/permalink/em...
The absence of government modelling to justify curtailing the right to trial by jury has allowed opponents to make all the running — and that may yet precipitate another Labour U-turn. It has also exposed a lack of good data to monitor one specific problem that is contributing to trial delays every day.
ep.ft.com
January 30, 2026 at 10:02 AM
Great FT piece citing @cassiarowland.bsky.social’s analysis which shows gov plans to radically reduce jury trials save relatively little court capacity. The should focus on court productivity instead
Also makes important point that MoJ data is poor. Needs to be fixed asap
ep.ft.com/permalink/em...
Also makes important point that MoJ data is poor. Needs to be fixed asap
ep.ft.com/permalink/em...
Reposted by Nick Davies
TOMORROW | How can the government make a success of the abolition of NHS England?
Join our webinar on Thursday 29 January, 12:30, with Mark Dayan and Sarah Reed @nuffieldtrust.org.uk, @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social and @njdavies.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
Join our webinar on Thursday 29 January, 12:30, with Mark Dayan and Sarah Reed @nuffieldtrust.org.uk, @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social and @njdavies.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
January 28, 2026 at 3:48 PM
TOMORROW | How can the government make a success of the abolition of NHS England?
Join our webinar on Thursday 29 January, 12:30, with Mark Dayan and Sarah Reed @nuffieldtrust.org.uk, @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social and @njdavies.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
Join our webinar on Thursday 29 January, 12:30, with Mark Dayan and Sarah Reed @nuffieldtrust.org.uk, @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social and @njdavies.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
Reposted by Nick Davies
I have a report out today on the near-perennial question of why UK governments struggle to stick at growth policy in anything like a strategic way. Some hurried points:- 0/
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
How the centre of government can design better growth policy | Institute for Government
Why does the UK struggle with growth?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
January 28, 2026 at 8:36 AM
I have a report out today on the near-perennial question of why UK governments struggle to stick at growth policy in anything like a strategic way. Some hurried points:- 0/
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Reposted by Nick Davies
Plans for major police reforms (finally!) being published tomorrow. In principle, it makes sense to bring together national responsibilities (counter-terror, fraud, organised crime) and functions (procurement, vetting etc) into a single organisation.
January 25, 2026 at 10:24 AM
Plans for major police reforms (finally!) being published tomorrow. In principle, it makes sense to bring together national responsibilities (counter-terror, fraud, organised crime) and functions (procurement, vetting etc) into a single organisation.
Reposted by Nick Davies
NEW REPORT: the gov’s proposals for judge-only trials will deliver only marginal savings and distract from the real route out of this crisis: reversing recent falls in court productivity.
Trial and error?: The impact of restricting jury trials on court demand | Institute for Government
The government’s reforms will unlock only relatively modest reductions in demand.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
January 22, 2026 at 7:41 AM
NEW REPORT: the gov’s proposals for judge-only trials will deliver only marginal savings and distract from the real route out of this crisis: reversing recent falls in court productivity.
Penny Dash today also pushed back strongly against suggestion govt is centralising, arguing they are cutting layers of management. That is true and *could* give more frontline autonomy, but it is entirely dependent on the health secretary, who now has far more direct control over the NHS
Streeting says that centralisation has ‘infantilised’ the NHS and he’s scrapping NHSE because you can’t run the NHS from ‘two offices’ in London. Yet scrapping NHSE gives him more power, with the NHS now arguably run from one office in London
January 20, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Penny Dash today also pushed back strongly against suggestion govt is centralising, arguing they are cutting layers of management. That is true and *could* give more frontline autonomy, but it is entirely dependent on the health secretary, who now has far more direct control over the NHS
Reposted by Nick Davies
Quick reaction to Darren Jones’s speech
- good stuff - min leadership, risk appetite, reducing approvals, new models of doing things
- worried about - leaving fundamental reform for later. Structures in centre, depts and public services need addressing now. Danger this is all a bit sticking plaster
- good stuff - min leadership, risk appetite, reducing approvals, new models of doing things
- worried about - leaving fundamental reform for later. Structures in centre, depts and public services need addressing now. Danger this is all a bit sticking plaster
In west London for @darrenpjones.bsky.social speech on reforming government
An audience of politicians, the media, think tankers and the like. As far as I can see no cabinet secretary or perm secs… not a great signal for what comes next
An audience of politicians, the media, think tankers and the like. As far as I can see no cabinet secretary or perm secs… not a great signal for what comes next
January 20, 2026 at 1:14 PM
Quick reaction to Darren Jones’s speech
- good stuff - min leadership, risk appetite, reducing approvals, new models of doing things
- worried about - leaving fundamental reform for later. Structures in centre, depts and public services need addressing now. Danger this is all a bit sticking plaster
- good stuff - min leadership, risk appetite, reducing approvals, new models of doing things
- worried about - leaving fundamental reform for later. Structures in centre, depts and public services need addressing now. Danger this is all a bit sticking plaster
We have an exceptional lineup for today's event on NHS structures. We are fully booked in-person, but you can watch the event online from 12.30. Link below
TOMORROW | How can changes to NHS structures help deliver the 10 Year Health Plan?
📅 Tuesday 20 Jan, 12:30
Join us online with Dr Penelope Dash, Dame Patricia Hewitt, Samantha Jones, Johan Kahlström @novartis.bsky.social,
@njdavies.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/nhs-st...
📅 Tuesday 20 Jan, 12:30
Join us online with Dr Penelope Dash, Dame Patricia Hewitt, Samantha Jones, Johan Kahlström @novartis.bsky.social,
@njdavies.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/nhs-st...
January 20, 2026 at 10:25 AM
We have an exceptional lineup for today's event on NHS structures. We are fully booked in-person, but you can watch the event online from 12.30. Link below
Reposted by Nick Davies
Darren Jones: "I felt from the whitehall monitor section on missions that you were a bit sad."
As the author of that bit, I am happy to confirm that yes I was a bit sad about the missed opportunity for reform. But have a read for yourself!
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
As the author of that bit, I am happy to confirm that yes I was a bit sad about the missed opportunity for reform. But have a read for yourself!
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Whitehall Monitor 2026: Part 1 - The government | Institute for Government
Analysis of the political and permanent secretary changes of 2025, and the progress of 'mission-led' government.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
January 13, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Darren Jones: "I felt from the whitehall monitor section on missions that you were a bit sad."
As the author of that bit, I am happy to confirm that yes I was a bit sad about the missed opportunity for reform. But have a read for yourself!
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
As the author of that bit, I am happy to confirm that yes I was a bit sad about the missed opportunity for reform. But have a read for yourself!
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Fascinating thread on govt consultancy spend. It’s falling but that is largely due to post-pandemic decline in use. Will be hard for govt to hit their target
Analysis of government spending on consultancy services has become a solid feature of Whitehall Monitor (2026 edition out today!) in recent years.
This year it's particularly pertinent given the government's focus on cutting spending.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
This year it's particularly pertinent given the government's focus on cutting spending.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
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 12:16 PM
Fascinating thread on govt consultancy spend. It’s falling but that is largely due to post-pandemic decline in use. Will be hard for govt to hit their target
Reposted by Nick Davies
Government is looking for efficiencies within its tight spending plans: 16% back office cuts, 'technical' efficiencies as big as the MoJ budget (£13.8bn) and a reheated Sunak-era blanket 5% savings target
Some thoughts on how these all add up from the IfG's Whitehall Monitor report out today...
Some thoughts on how these all add up from the IfG's Whitehall Monitor report out today...
January 13, 2026 at 10:26 AM
Government is looking for efficiencies within its tight spending plans: 16% back office cuts, 'technical' efficiencies as big as the MoJ budget (£13.8bn) and a reheated Sunak-era blanket 5% savings target
Some thoughts on how these all add up from the IfG's Whitehall Monitor report out today...
Some thoughts on how these all add up from the IfG's Whitehall Monitor report out today...
Louise Casey: "Everybody needs to be a grip and fix it person at the same time as they do strategy and long term. It’s a mixed model of management. That’s some bollocks isn’t it but I’m sure I could write a book if I had time. Deliverology: mixed management of whatever. I’m sure I could make it up"
January 13, 2026 at 10:11 AM
Louise Casey: "Everybody needs to be a grip and fix it person at the same time as they do strategy and long term. It’s a mixed model of management. That’s some bollocks isn’t it but I’m sure I could write a book if I had time. Deliverology: mixed management of whatever. I’m sure I could make it up"
Reposted by Nick Davies
A few thoughts on Streeting's speech:
1) Streeting majored on decentralising power in NHS. But he's overseeing huge concentration of power into his and DHSC's hands while merging ICBs into larger, less local bodies
2) No mention of social care reform. Continues to be the govt's greatest failure...
1) Streeting majored on decentralising power in NHS. But he's overseeing huge concentration of power into his and DHSC's hands while merging ICBs into larger, less local bodies
2) No mention of social care reform. Continues to be the govt's greatest failure...
This is getting going now, will live tweet some of the highlights of what Streeting says
Thread below...
Thread below...
As Playbook says, Wes Streeting is speaking @instituteforgovernment.org.uk this morning
Playbook rightly points out that we gave him a mixed review in last year's Public Services Performance Tracker. If you want to read that review, link is below
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Playbook rightly points out that we gave him a mixed review in last year's Public Services Performance Tracker. If you want to read that review, link is below
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
January 13, 2026 at 10:03 AM
A few thoughts on Streeting's speech:
1) Streeting majored on decentralising power in NHS. But he's overseeing huge concentration of power into his and DHSC's hands while merging ICBs into larger, less local bodies
2) No mention of social care reform. Continues to be the govt's greatest failure...
1) Streeting majored on decentralising power in NHS. But he's overseeing huge concentration of power into his and DHSC's hands while merging ICBs into larger, less local bodies
2) No mention of social care reform. Continues to be the govt's greatest failure...
Reposted by Nick Davies
Louise Casey really bringing to life what this means in practice for how stuff gets done in the civil service:
"And I look at a grade 5 [deputy director] and think god love you, on a good day you might make a decision that an HEO used to make"
"And I look at a grade 5 [deputy director] and think god love you, on a good day you might make a decision that an HEO used to make"
The workforce continues to become more senior. Part of this is automation meaning fewer jobs at the lower levels, but part is grade inflation - where people are promoted more quickly or roles offered at a higher level than they might otherwise have been to get around pay restraint
January 13, 2026 at 9:52 AM
Louise Casey really bringing to life what this means in practice for how stuff gets done in the civil service:
"And I look at a grade 5 [deputy director] and think god love you, on a good day you might make a decision that an HEO used to make"
"And I look at a grade 5 [deputy director] and think god love you, on a good day you might make a decision that an HEO used to make"
Reposted by Nick Davies
This is getting going now, will live tweet some of the highlights of what Streeting says
Thread below...
Thread below...
As Playbook says, Wes Streeting is speaking @instituteforgovernment.org.uk this morning
Playbook rightly points out that we gave him a mixed review in last year's Public Services Performance Tracker. If you want to read that review, link is below
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Playbook rightly points out that we gave him a mixed review in last year's Public Services Performance Tracker. If you want to read that review, link is below
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
January 13, 2026 at 8:30 AM
This is getting going now, will live tweet some of the highlights of what Streeting says
Thread below...
Thread below...
Reposted by Nick Davies
Combine with the context of what’s going on with ICSs, both in terms of resources and in terms of reducing number and increasing geographic scale
Streeting says that centralisation has ‘infantilised’ the NHS and he’s scrapping NHSE because you can’t run the NHS from ‘two offices’ in London. Yet scrapping NHSE gives him more power, with the NHS now arguably run from one office in London
January 13, 2026 at 9:06 AM
Combine with the context of what’s going on with ICSs, both in terms of resources and in terms of reducing number and increasing geographic scale