Stuart Hoddinott
@stuarthoddinott.bsky.social
Associate Director in the public services team
@InstituteforGov. Interested in the NHS, adult social care, and local government. All views my own. He/him
@InstituteforGov. Interested in the NHS, adult social care, and local government. All views my own. He/him
Pinned
Performance Tracker 2025: Local government overview | Institute for Government
The government is making good progress towards rebalancing local government funding. But the sector shows signs of mounting financial distress.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
NEW REPORT: Local authorities have been struggling with pressures from austeirty for years, but there are signs that pressure is now particularly acute
As a result, they are having to make tough decisions about finances and services
🧵👇 on findings
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
As a result, they are having to make tough decisions about finances and services
🧵👇 on findings
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
*shocked face*
The quotes are brilliant:
Yusuf pinpointed Kent, saying that government officials’ “snouts have been in the trough for too long”
But, Chamberlain said there “just weren’t big cuts to make, because services had been hacked away for years and years”
www.ft.com/content/fc3c...
The quotes are brilliant:
Yusuf pinpointed Kent, saying that government officials’ “snouts have been in the trough for too long”
But, Chamberlain said there “just weren’t big cuts to make, because services had been hacked away for years and years”
www.ft.com/content/fc3c...
Reform UK admits Kent council’s Musk-inspired cost-cutting drive found little waste
County councillors say former Conservative administration ‘weren’t crazy, they were business people’
www.ft.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:37 PM
*shocked face*
The quotes are brilliant:
Yusuf pinpointed Kent, saying that government officials’ “snouts have been in the trough for too long”
But, Chamberlain said there “just weren’t big cuts to make, because services had been hacked away for years and years”
www.ft.com/content/fc3c...
The quotes are brilliant:
Yusuf pinpointed Kent, saying that government officials’ “snouts have been in the trough for too long”
But, Chamberlain said there “just weren’t big cuts to make, because services had been hacked away for years and years”
www.ft.com/content/fc3c...
Happy new year (is it too late to say that?) from the Week in Public Services team!
This week: the government’s addiction to pilots; the failure of ed tech; and Reform UK’s row about pensions
medium.com/week-in-publ...
This week: the government’s addiction to pilots; the failure of ed tech; and Reform UK’s row about pensions
medium.com/week-in-publ...
Week in Public Services: 30th January 2026
This week: the government’s addiction to pilots; the failure of ed tech; and Reform UK’s row about pensions
medium.com
January 30, 2026 at 1:51 PM
Happy new year (is it too late to say that?) from the Week in Public Services team!
This week: the government’s addiction to pilots; the failure of ed tech; and Reform UK’s row about pensions
medium.com/week-in-publ...
This week: the government’s addiction to pilots; the failure of ed tech; and Reform UK’s row about pensions
medium.com/week-in-publ...
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
12:30 TODAY 💻
Join a webinar panel of Nuffield Trust and IfG experts as they explore the policy implications of the abolition of NHS England.
Featuring @markgdayan.bsky.social @sjanereed.bsky.social @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social and @njdavies.bsky.social
Register to watch online for free 👇
Join a webinar panel of Nuffield Trust and IfG experts as they explore the policy implications of the abolition of NHS England.
Featuring @markgdayan.bsky.social @sjanereed.bsky.social @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social and @njdavies.bsky.social
Register to watch online for free 👇
How can the government make a success of the abolition of NHS England? | Institute for Government
This webinar will explore the risks and opportunities associated with abolishing NHS England.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
January 29, 2026 at 11:03 AM
12:30 TODAY 💻
Join a webinar panel of Nuffield Trust and IfG experts as they explore the policy implications of the abolition of NHS England.
Featuring @markgdayan.bsky.social @sjanereed.bsky.social @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social and @njdavies.bsky.social
Register to watch online for free 👇
Join a webinar panel of Nuffield Trust and IfG experts as they explore the policy implications of the abolition of NHS England.
Featuring @markgdayan.bsky.social @sjanereed.bsky.social @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social and @njdavies.bsky.social
Register to watch online for free 👇
January 29, 2026 at 10:22 AM
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
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...
Reading an interview with Streeting in the HSJ on 31 Jan 2025
When asked if he would abolish NHS England his response was: "I could spend a lot of time and money changing job titles and email addresses and not make a difference to the patient interest"
2026 Streeting would strongly disagree
When asked if he would abolish NHS England his response was: "I could spend a lot of time and money changing job titles and email addresses and not make a difference to the patient interest"
2026 Streeting would strongly disagree
January 28, 2026 at 10:06 AM
Reading an interview with Streeting in the HSJ on 31 Jan 2025
When asked if he would abolish NHS England his response was: "I could spend a lot of time and money changing job titles and email addresses and not make a difference to the patient interest"
2026 Streeting would strongly disagree
When asked if he would abolish NHS England his response was: "I could spend a lot of time and money changing job titles and email addresses and not make a difference to the patient interest"
2026 Streeting would strongly disagree
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
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/...
This is now the third major public service that is going through a structural reorganisation after the NHS and local govt
All are supposedly about cost saving, but I think it's also at least partly because it's an easy and visible "lever" for ministers to pull
All are supposedly about cost saving, but I think it's also at least partly because it's an easy and visible "lever" for ministers to pull
NEW The biggest police reform package for 50 years is days away.
The 43-force model is being ditched, so are PCCs, & the Home Office is taking back control….
Read - for free - everything you need to know about the Police Reform White Paper:
www.dannyshaw.net/post/police-...
The 43-force model is being ditched, so are PCCs, & the Home Office is taking back control….
Read - for free - everything you need to know about the Police Reform White Paper:
www.dannyshaw.net/post/police-...
Police reform: what to expect?
For over a week now, government ministers and police chiefs have been 'rolling the pitch' for what is being billed as the biggest overhaul of policing in half a century. A carefully co-ordinated commu...
www.dannyshaw.net
January 26, 2026 at 8:44 AM
This is now the third major public service that is going through a structural reorganisation after the NHS and local govt
All are supposedly about cost saving, but I think it's also at least partly because it's an easy and visible "lever" for ministers to pull
All are supposedly about cost saving, but I think it's also at least partly because it's an easy and visible "lever" for ministers to pull
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
Short comment from me about SEND reform:
Legal rights are a much-relied-upon safeguard in the SEND system, but they can complicate efforts to make education more inclusive.
Govt must acknowledge and carefully navigate that tension, with parents and other stakeholders
Legal rights are a much-relied-upon safeguard in the SEND system, but they can complicate efforts to make education more inclusive.
Govt must acknowledge and carefully navigate that tension, with parents and other stakeholders
The government should be clear about the trade-offs involved in SEND reform | Institute for Government
Decisions about legal safeguards will shape the future SEND system.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
January 23, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Short comment from me about SEND reform:
Legal rights are a much-relied-upon safeguard in the SEND system, but they can complicate efforts to make education more inclusive.
Govt must acknowledge and carefully navigate that tension, with parents and other stakeholders
Legal rights are a much-relied-upon safeguard in the SEND system, but they can complicate efforts to make education more inclusive.
Govt must acknowledge and carefully navigate that tension, with parents and other stakeholders
"Cutting waste" is the same line that Reform used in the local elections last year
Since those elections, Reform has flatly failed to find any substantive waste in their councils, let alone cut it
It's fair to assume that their claim about waste in central government is equally meaningless
Since those elections, Reform has flatly failed to find any substantive waste in their councils, let alone cut it
It's fair to assume that their claim about waste in central government is equally meaningless
Farage doubling down on cutting government spending. Wait until he finds out how much his supporters love welfare spending, just not welfare spending on other people. Fantasy economics.
January 22, 2026 at 3:29 PM
"Cutting waste" is the same line that Reform used in the local elections last year
Since those elections, Reform has flatly failed to find any substantive waste in their councils, let alone cut it
It's fair to assume that their claim about waste in central government is equally meaningless
Since those elections, Reform has flatly failed to find any substantive waste in their councils, let alone cut it
It's fair to assume that their claim about waste in central government is equally meaningless
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
Even I'm guilty of believing the "community > hospital" hypothesis but it appears to be a myth. *Sometimes* it's better but not always.
Worth reading @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social's thread to which this post is replying to.
Worth reading @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social's thread to which this post is replying to.
The 10YHP made the bold, false & easily refutable claim that there's unequivocal evidence that shifting care to the community is cheaper.
The Impact Statement says their literature review found mixed impacts on costs.
Suggesting the literature review was undertaken after the 10YHP was finalised?
The Impact Statement says their literature review found mixed impacts on costs.
Suggesting the literature review was undertaken after the 10YHP was finalised?
January 19, 2026 at 11:13 AM
Even I'm guilty of believing the "community > hospital" hypothesis but it appears to be a myth. *Sometimes* it's better but not always.
Worth reading @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social's thread to which this post is replying to.
Worth reading @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social's thread to which this post is replying to.
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
It's an odd document. Usually you'd have an impact assessment with policy objectives, options and their costs and impacts - aligning with policy choices.
But the Impact Statement seems like it was produced retrospectively, justifying (not always very convincingly) the 10YHP policy choices.
But the Impact Statement seems like it was produced retrospectively, justifying (not always very convincingly) the 10YHP policy choices.
January 19, 2026 at 9:44 AM
It's an odd document. Usually you'd have an impact assessment with policy objectives, options and their costs and impacts - aligning with policy choices.
But the Impact Statement seems like it was produced retrospectively, justifying (not always very convincingly) the 10YHP policy choices.
But the Impact Statement seems like it was produced retrospectively, justifying (not always very convincingly) the 10YHP policy choices.
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
The 10YHP made the bold, false & easily refutable claim that there's unequivocal evidence that shifting care to the community is cheaper.
The Impact Statement says their literature review found mixed impacts on costs.
Suggesting the literature review was undertaken after the 10YHP was finalised?
The Impact Statement says their literature review found mixed impacts on costs.
Suggesting the literature review was undertaken after the 10YHP was finalised?
January 19, 2026 at 9:34 AM
The 10YHP made the bold, false & easily refutable claim that there's unequivocal evidence that shifting care to the community is cheaper.
The Impact Statement says their literature review found mixed impacts on costs.
Suggesting the literature review was undertaken after the 10YHP was finalised?
The Impact Statement says their literature review found mixed impacts on costs.
Suggesting the literature review was undertaken after the 10YHP was finalised?
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
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
- show that his plan is different to those that have come before
- ensure he's not spreading himself too thinly
- set a clear vision
After a good start, Darren Jones needs to set out his plan for radical state reform
New plans must be bold enough to meaningfully shift the dial on an intransigent state www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/darr...
New plans must be bold enough to meaningfully shift the dial on an intransigent state www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/darr...
After a good start, Darren Jones needs to set out his plan for radical state reform | Institute for Government
New plans must be bold enough to meaningfully shift the dial on an intransigent state.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
January 16, 2026 at 1:01 PM
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
- show that his plan is different to those that have come before
- ensure he's not spreading himself too thinly
- set a clear vision
DHSC published its impact statement for the 10 Year Health Plan this week (yes, that is 6 months after it published the plan)
It's more measured and clear-eyed than the original document and quite a contrast to some of the effusive optimism in the plan
Some of the things that caught my eye 👇
It's more measured and clear-eyed than the original document and quite a contrast to some of the effusive optimism in the plan
Some of the things that caught my eye 👇
January 15, 2026 at 10:25 AM
DHSC published its impact statement for the 10 Year Health Plan this week (yes, that is 6 months after it published the plan)
It's more measured and clear-eyed than the original document and quite a contrast to some of the effusive optimism in the plan
Some of the things that caught my eye 👇
It's more measured and clear-eyed than the original document and quite a contrast to some of the effusive optimism in the plan
Some of the things that caught my eye 👇
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
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/...
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
We’ve today published Whitehall Monitor 2026
As well as being your guide to whether Labour is making progress on rewiring the state (A: definitely still a work in progress) it also contains some fantastic data viz
Some of my highlights 🧵
As well as being your guide to whether Labour is making progress on rewiring the state (A: definitely still a work in progress) it also contains some fantastic data viz
Some of my highlights 🧵
January 13, 2026 at 1:25 PM
We’ve today published Whitehall Monitor 2026
As well as being your guide to whether Labour is making progress on rewiring the state (A: definitely still a work in progress) it also contains some fantastic data viz
Some of my highlights 🧵
As well as being your guide to whether Labour is making progress on rewiring the state (A: definitely still a work in progress) it also contains some fantastic data viz
Some of my highlights 🧵
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
Streeting criticises IFG for calling his changes to NHSE/ICBs ‘a distraction’. But whether you support the changes or not (we’re pretty agnostic) they are definitely a distraction, particularly if you announce it with no clear plan on how to deliver, almost a year into office
January 13, 2026 at 8:55 AM
Streeting criticises IFG for calling his changes to NHSE/ICBs ‘a distraction’. But whether you support the changes or not (we’re pretty agnostic) they are definitely a distraction, particularly if you announce it with no clear plan on how to deliver, almost a year into office
This is a crucial point and a rebuttal to Streeting who claims that time consuming NHS reorganisation is going to free up lots of resource for the "frontline" - even if DHSC meets its savings targets, it will only be a tiny proportion of spending on the NHS
But, admin cuts are not going to dramatically shift resources to the frontline
£1.6bn admin savings by 2028/29 is substantial, but it's very small in the context of programme (frontline) spending (due to rise by £21.4bn). This is particularly true within the big public service departments
£1.6bn admin savings by 2028/29 is substantial, but it's very small in the context of programme (frontline) spending (due to rise by £21.4bn). This is particularly true within the big public service departments
January 13, 2026 at 10:39 AM
This is a crucial point and a rebuttal to Streeting who claims that time consuming NHS reorganisation is going to free up lots of resource for the "frontline" - even if DHSC meets its savings targets, it will only be a tiny proportion of spending on the NHS
Louise Casey on why successive govt's have failed to reform adult social care:
"Possibly quite simple. I'm not sure who's taken policy responsibility for social care in last decades. It falls between two depts [MHCLG and DHSC]. Streeting wants to lean into social care, but it falls in the cracks"
"Possibly quite simple. I'm not sure who's taken policy responsibility for social care in last decades. It falls between two depts [MHCLG and DHSC]. Streeting wants to lean into social care, but it falls in the cracks"
January 13, 2026 at 10:32 AM
Louise Casey on why successive govt's have failed to reform adult social care:
"Possibly quite simple. I'm not sure who's taken policy responsibility for social care in last decades. It falls between two depts [MHCLG and DHSC]. Streeting wants to lean into social care, but it falls in the cracks"
"Possibly quite simple. I'm not sure who's taken policy responsibility for social care in last decades. It falls between two depts [MHCLG and DHSC]. Streeting wants to lean into social care, but it falls in the cracks"
Louise Casey on patient/citizen choice in public services:
"I disagree with performative legislation that has no strategy, no money, no ability to get that done which turns it a advocacy, legislative, lawyering up job, which we have with SEND and potentially the Care Act, and with homelessness"
"I disagree with performative legislation that has no strategy, no money, no ability to get that done which turns it a advocacy, legislative, lawyering up job, which we have with SEND and potentially the Care Act, and with homelessness"
January 13, 2026 at 10:18 AM
Louise Casey on patient/citizen choice in public services:
"I disagree with performative legislation that has no strategy, no money, no ability to get that done which turns it a advocacy, legislative, lawyering up job, which we have with SEND and potentially the Care Act, and with homelessness"
"I disagree with performative legislation that has no strategy, no money, no ability to get that done which turns it a advocacy, legislative, lawyering up job, which we have with SEND and potentially the Care Act, and with homelessness"
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
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 Stuart Hoddinott
Louise Casey blunt on grade inflation in the civil service - compares decisions grade 5s make now to those fast streamers used to make…
January 13, 2026 at 9:49 AM
Louise Casey blunt on grade inflation in the civil service - compares decisions grade 5s make now to those fast streamers used to make…
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 Stuart Hoddinott
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 8:46 AM
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