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/...
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
New year, new comment piece, same problems. I've written for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk on what the covid inquiry is revealing about (poor) govt info sharing during the pandemic and what needs to be in place for the next crisis. HMT does not come off well...
tinyurl.com/muhtm2r8
tinyurl.com/muhtm2r8
The latest Covid Inquiry evidence exposes the damage caused by poor government information sharing | Institute for Government
Government departments must do more to prepare for the next crisis.
tinyurl.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:10 PM
New year, new comment piece, same problems. I've written for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk on what the covid inquiry is revealing about (poor) govt info sharing during the pandemic and what needs to be in place for the next crisis. HMT does not come off well...
tinyurl.com/muhtm2r8
tinyurl.com/muhtm2r8
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
Got 2 minutes? Tell us how we can improve our yearly deep dive into public services
Last month we published our public services Performance Tracker 2025
We're looking for feedback! If you've read the report, then we'd love to hear how you think we can improve it for next year
It shouldn't take more than 2 minutes to fill out the survey
www.surveymonkey.com/r/S33HJPY
We're looking for feedback! If you've read the report, then we'd love to hear how you think we can improve it for next year
It shouldn't take more than 2 minutes to fill out the survey
www.surveymonkey.com/r/S33HJPY
Performance Tracker Survey 2025/2026
Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.
www.surveymonkey.com
January 7, 2026 at 9:47 AM
Got 2 minutes? Tell us how we can improve our yearly deep dive into public services
Bumping this again. We'd really value the feedback of anyone who has read Performance Tracker. If you haven't yet, you can read it below....and then fill in the survey
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
January 7, 2026 at 8:31 AM
Bumping this again. We'd really value the feedback of anyone who has read Performance Tracker. If you haven't yet, you can read it below....and then fill in the survey
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
This was always going to happen
Reform promised to cut wasteful spending but never had any proper plan for how to do so. Instead, it was all populist nonsense about "DEI" programmes and lazy council staff
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reform promised to cut wasteful spending but never had any proper plan for how to do so. Instead, it was all populist nonsense about "DEI" programmes and lazy council staff
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reform UK accused of ‘empty rhetoric’ over plan to hike council tax 5% in Derbyshire
Four Reform-led councils want to raise tax by maximum allowed amount with more areas not being ruled out
www.theguardian.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:17 PM
This was always going to happen
Reform promised to cut wasteful spending but never had any proper plan for how to do so. Instead, it was all populist nonsense about "DEI" programmes and lazy council staff
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reform promised to cut wasteful spending but never had any proper plan for how to do so. Instead, it was all populist nonsense about "DEI" programmes and lazy council staff
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
The government set up 7 new public inquiries in 2025
Which means as we start 2026 there are 27 public inquiries currently underway (21 statutory inquiries)
This is a huge number, at the start of 2016 there were only 10 public inquiries ongoing
Which means as we start 2026 there are 27 public inquiries currently underway (21 statutory inquiries)
This is a huge number, at the start of 2016 there were only 10 public inquiries ongoing
January 6, 2026 at 4:12 PM
The government set up 7 new public inquiries in 2025
Which means as we start 2026 there are 27 public inquiries currently underway (21 statutory inquiries)
This is a huge number, at the start of 2016 there were only 10 public inquiries ongoing
Which means as we start 2026 there are 27 public inquiries currently underway (21 statutory inquiries)
This is a huge number, at the start of 2016 there were only 10 public inquiries ongoing
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
Another misplaced attack on the OBR. The government dictates fiscal policy, not the OBR. That includes the OBR's mandate and the fiscal rules. The fundamental problem is a weak fiscal position, which requires tough choices on tax and spend
January 2, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Another misplaced attack on the OBR. The government dictates fiscal policy, not the OBR. That includes the OBR's mandate and the fiscal rules. The fundamental problem is a weak fiscal position, which requires tough choices on tax and spend
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
Amid some v good initiatives, lots of the longstanding problems with the civil service got worse again in the past year. If the government wants to 'rewire the state' it needs to set out what that means for the workforce. 👇Sneak peek at some of our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report, out in Jan.
UK civil service continues to grow despite pledge to ‘rewire state’ ft.trib.al/qJRDV5g
UK civil service continues to grow despite pledge to ‘rewire state’
Number of full-time equivalent roles grew by more than 4,000 in the year to September
ft.trib.al
December 30, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Amid some v good initiatives, lots of the longstanding problems with the civil service got worse again in the past year. If the government wants to 'rewire the state' it needs to set out what that means for the workforce. 👇Sneak peek at some of our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report, out in Jan.
Between this and "superflu" the NHS is spinning very hard this winter. Few ways to interpret this comms strategy:
1) manufacturing demand crises to shift blame
2) stick to beat the BMA
3) to bounce HMT into emergency funding
4) they actually believe high demand causes long waits
None good!
1) manufacturing demand crises to shift blame
2) stick to beat the BMA
3) to bounce HMT into emergency funding
4) they actually believe high demand causes long waits
None good!
December 31, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Between this and "superflu" the NHS is spinning very hard this winter. Few ways to interpret this comms strategy:
1) manufacturing demand crises to shift blame
2) stick to beat the BMA
3) to bounce HMT into emergency funding
4) they actually believe high demand causes long waits
None good!
1) manufacturing demand crises to shift blame
2) stick to beat the BMA
3) to bounce HMT into emergency funding
4) they actually believe high demand causes long waits
None good!
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
Happy unprecedented wave of super-flu season to those who fabulate.
December 23, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Happy unprecedented wave of super-flu season to those who fabulate.
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
PODCAST 🎙️ 2025 in review: Starmer's year of drama
The IfG team and the FT's @chris-smyth.bsky.social pick out the big moments of the last 12 months – the big political developments, and the key appointments that could shape the year ahead www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
The IfG team and the FT's @chris-smyth.bsky.social pick out the big moments of the last 12 months – the big political developments, and the key appointments that could shape the year ahead www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
2025 in review: Starmer's year of drama | Institute for Government
The IfG team and the Financial Times’s public policy editor Chris Smyth look back on an eventful 12 months and pick out the big moments of 2025.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
December 22, 2025 at 4:06 PM
PODCAST 🎙️ 2025 in review: Starmer's year of drama
The IfG team and the FT's @chris-smyth.bsky.social pick out the big moments of the last 12 months – the big political developments, and the key appointments that could shape the year ahead www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
The IfG team and the FT's @chris-smyth.bsky.social pick out the big moments of the last 12 months – the big political developments, and the key appointments that could shape the year ahead www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
🆕 More people are seeking help for common mental health conditions, as well as for ADHD and autism, but are more people experiencing mental ill health? @sarahscobie.bsky.social takes a closer look. www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/resource/the...
December 22, 2025 at 11:12 AM
🆕 More people are seeking help for common mental health conditions, as well as for ADHD and autism, but are more people experiencing mental ill health? @sarahscobie.bsky.social takes a closer look. www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/resource/the...
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
Have you ever read the Public Services Performance Tracker published by @instituteforgovernment.org.uk? If so, we’d love to hear from you. We’re surveying readers to find out what is most useful and what we should prioritise next year. It will only take around 5 mins to complete
Performance Tracker Survey 2025/2026
Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.
www.surveymonkey.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Have you ever read the Public Services Performance Tracker published by @instituteforgovernment.org.uk? If so, we’d love to hear from you. We’re surveying readers to find out what is most useful and what we should prioritise next year. It will only take around 5 mins to complete
Last month we published our public services Performance Tracker 2025
We're looking for feedback! If you've read the report, then we'd love to hear how you think we can improve it for next year
It shouldn't take more than 2 minutes to fill out the survey
www.surveymonkey.com/r/S33HJPY
We're looking for feedback! If you've read the report, then we'd love to hear how you think we can improve it for next year
It shouldn't take more than 2 minutes to fill out the survey
www.surveymonkey.com/r/S33HJPY
Performance Tracker Survey 2025/2026
Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.
www.surveymonkey.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Last month we published our public services Performance Tracker 2025
We're looking for feedback! If you've read the report, then we'd love to hear how you think we can improve it for next year
It shouldn't take more than 2 minutes to fill out the survey
www.surveymonkey.com/r/S33HJPY
We're looking for feedback! If you've read the report, then we'd love to hear how you think we can improve it for next year
It shouldn't take more than 2 minutes to fill out the survey
www.surveymonkey.com/r/S33HJPY
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
The government is following through on its pledge to rebalance funding to the places that need it most, writes @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social. Though, with limited funding, it has required the government to make tough decisions about who loses
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/delivering-r...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/delivering-r...
The government is delivering a radical rebalancing of funding towards more deprived councils | Institute for Government
The Local Government Funding Settlement shows the government is making a major change to how funding is allocated to local authorities
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
December 19, 2025 at 3:00 PM
The government is following through on its pledge to rebalance funding to the places that need it most, writes @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social. Though, with limited funding, it has required the government to make tough decisions about who loses
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/delivering-r...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/delivering-r...
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
In this week’s Week in Public Services, I look at resident doctor strikes, the new child poverty strategy, extra funding for domestic abuse support and what jury trial reforms would really do to court backlogs.
Some key takeaways below
medium.com/week-in-publ...
Some key takeaways below
medium.com/week-in-publ...
Week in Public Services: 19th December 2025
This week: Resident doctor strikes, the new child poverty strategy, extra funding for domestic abuse support and analysis showing jury…
medium.com
December 19, 2025 at 12:12 PM
In this week’s Week in Public Services, I look at resident doctor strikes, the new child poverty strategy, extra funding for domestic abuse support and what jury trial reforms would really do to court backlogs.
Some key takeaways below
medium.com/week-in-publ...
Some key takeaways below
medium.com/week-in-publ...
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
📝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
We argue ministers need better support to make informed decisions about how an inquiry should be set up
How can the government ensure inquiries are set up to succeed? | Institute for Government
Early decisions can set inquiries off on the wrong path.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
December 19, 2025 at 10:53 AM
📝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
We argue ministers need better support to make informed decisions about how an inquiry should be set up
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
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
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
December 16, 2025 at 11:35 AM
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
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
Exhibit #457 that Reform has broken its pledge to find "wasteful" council spending
Cllrs in Worcestershire have asked for permission to raise council tax by 10% (rather than default maximum of 5%) to close their budget gap
They are also asking for emergency funding
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Cllrs in Worcestershire have asked for permission to raise council tax by 10% (rather than default maximum of 5%) to close their budget gap
They are also asking for emergency funding
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Worcestershire County Council plays down 10% tax rise application
The move has been revealed by the cabinet, which has formally applied to the secretary of state.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 15, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Exhibit #457 that Reform has broken its pledge to find "wasteful" council spending
Cllrs in Worcestershire have asked for permission to raise council tax by 10% (rather than default maximum of 5%) to close their budget gap
They are also asking for emergency funding
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Cllrs in Worcestershire have asked for permission to raise council tax by 10% (rather than default maximum of 5%) to close their budget gap
They are also asking for emergency funding
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
The child poverty strategy represents a concrete shift to prevention, but as always, the devil is in the detail.
@sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social and I go into that detail in our new comment:
- On coordinating multiple departments
- Ensuring local partners have the right support
- Monitoring progress
@sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social and I go into that detail in our new comment:
- On coordinating multiple departments
- Ensuring local partners have the right support
- Monitoring progress
Three things the government needs to do to make the child poverty strategy work | Institute for Government
The child poverty strategy is a concrete shift towards prevention but ministers must take action to implement it effectively.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
December 12, 2025 at 5:20 PM
The child poverty strategy represents a concrete shift to prevention, but as always, the devil is in the detail.
@sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social and I go into that detail in our new comment:
- On coordinating multiple departments
- Ensuring local partners have the right support
- Monitoring progress
@sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social and I go into that detail in our new comment:
- On coordinating multiple departments
- Ensuring local partners have the right support
- Monitoring progress
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
Given the govt's comittment to a) shift care from treatment to prevention and b) shift spending away from hospitals, its hard to justify the decision to keep spending on public health flat for the next three years when the NHS will see real terms spending growth
Prevention shift ‘left behind’ as budgets are held flat
Public health allocations are due to be held flat in real terms for three years, despite the government's intended "shift from treatment to prevention".
www.hsj.co.uk
December 12, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Given the govt's comittment to a) shift care from treatment to prevention and b) shift spending away from hospitals, its hard to justify the decision to keep spending on public health flat for the next three years when the NHS will see real terms spending growth
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
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...
Some highlights…
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/ministers-re...
Ministers Reflect | Institute for Government
Interviews with former ministers on the realities of the role and how to be effective in government.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
December 11, 2025 at 4:02 PM
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...
Some highlights…
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/ministers-re...
It was great speaking to Sajid Javid as part of @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Ministers Reflect series
A few quotes that stood out to me
"The world of business is black and white - you need to make money"
"Politics is anything but black and white. It's all grey. Even success and failure is grey"
A few quotes that stood out to me
"The world of business is black and white - you need to make money"
"Politics is anything but black and white. It's all grey. Even success and failure is grey"
December 11, 2025 at 10:01 AM
It was great speaking to Sajid Javid as part of @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Ministers Reflect series
A few quotes that stood out to me
"The world of business is black and white - you need to make money"
"Politics is anything but black and white. It's all grey. Even success and failure is grey"
A few quotes that stood out to me
"The world of business is black and white - you need to make money"
"Politics is anything but black and white. It's all grey. Even success and failure is grey"
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
A strong OBR is in everyone’s interests
Replacing Richard Hughes with someone seen as more compliant to the government’s views would undermine the OBR's independence, bringing a high cost to government and the country, says @gemmatetlow.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/stro...
Replacing Richard Hughes with someone seen as more compliant to the government’s views would undermine the OBR's independence, bringing a high cost to government and the country, says @gemmatetlow.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/stro...
A strong OBR is in everyone’s interests | Institute for Government
The chancellor should appoint a strong chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility to replace Richard Hughes.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
December 10, 2025 at 9:34 AM
A strong OBR is in everyone’s interests
Replacing Richard Hughes with someone seen as more compliant to the government’s views would undermine the OBR's independence, bringing a high cost to government and the country, says @gemmatetlow.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/stro...
Replacing Richard Hughes with someone seen as more compliant to the government’s views would undermine the OBR's independence, bringing a high cost to government and the country, says @gemmatetlow.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/stro...
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
NEW: Hospital productivity growth is beating the government’s targets. So why hasn't the NHS made more progress on cutting elective waiting times?
In a new @theifs.bsky.social comment, we examine what’s driving the divergence between two of the government’s biggest NHS priorities.
1/11
In a new @theifs.bsky.social comment, we examine what’s driving the divergence between two of the government’s biggest NHS priorities.
1/11
NEW: Strong productivity growth and increasing funding has meant English hospitals have been delivering much more elective (pre-planned) care.
So why isn't the waiting list going down more quickly?
🧵 @maxwarner.bsky.social and Olly Harvey-Rich examine what's going on:
So why isn't the waiting list going down more quickly?
🧵 @maxwarner.bsky.social and Olly Harvey-Rich examine what's going on:
December 9, 2025 at 8:41 AM
NEW: Hospital productivity growth is beating the government’s targets. So why hasn't the NHS made more progress on cutting elective waiting times?
In a new @theifs.bsky.social comment, we examine what’s driving the divergence between two of the government’s biggest NHS priorities.
1/11
In a new @theifs.bsky.social comment, we examine what’s driving the divergence between two of the government’s biggest NHS priorities.
1/11
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
WEBINAR | How can the government make a success of the abolition of NHS England?
This webinar will explore the risks and opportunities associated with abolishing NHS England. @markgdayan.bsky.social @sjanereed.bsky.social @nuffieldtrust.org.uk
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
This webinar will explore the risks and opportunities associated with abolishing NHS England. @markgdayan.bsky.social @sjanereed.bsky.social @nuffieldtrust.org.uk
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
December 8, 2025 at 1:36 PM
WEBINAR | How can the government make a success of the abolition of NHS England?
This webinar will explore the risks and opportunities associated with abolishing NHS England. @markgdayan.bsky.social @sjanereed.bsky.social @nuffieldtrust.org.uk
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
This webinar will explore the risks and opportunities associated with abolishing NHS England. @markgdayan.bsky.social @sjanereed.bsky.social @nuffieldtrust.org.uk
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...