Tim Durrant
@timdurrant.bsky.social
Programme Director at the Institute for Government - interested in how government works and how it can work better
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Reposted by Tim Durrant
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 Tim Durrant
EVENT | In conversation with Eluned Morgan MS, First Minister of Wales
@prifweinidog.gov.wales joins us to discuss her priorities as First Minister, relations with Westminster, the 2026 Senedd election and the future of devolution.
Tickets here:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/conver...
@prifweinidog.gov.wales joins us to discuss her priorities as First Minister, relations with Westminster, the 2026 Senedd election and the future of devolution.
Tickets here:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/conver...
December 19, 2025 at 2:55 PM
EVENT | In conversation with Eluned Morgan MS, First Minister of Wales
@prifweinidog.gov.wales joins us to discuss her priorities as First Minister, relations with Westminster, the 2026 Senedd election and the future of devolution.
Tickets here:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/conver...
@prifweinidog.gov.wales joins us to discuss her priorities as First Minister, relations with Westminster, the 2026 Senedd election and the future of devolution.
Tickets here:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/conver...
One area where the government is achieving growth: the number of public inquiries
The government’s announcement of seven new inquiries this year means a record 27 are currently underway
They're costing more too - since 2005, completed inquiries have cost over £730m. The Covid-19 Inquiry alone has spent £192m and will soon surpass the record £200m spent on the Saville Inquiry
They're costing more too - since 2005, completed inquiries have cost over £730m. The Covid-19 Inquiry alone has spent £192m and will soon surpass the record £200m spent on the Saville Inquiry
December 19, 2025 at 2:29 PM
One area where the government is achieving growth: the number of public inquiries
Reposted by Tim Durrant
Inquiries themselves are often (fairly) criticised for being overly legalistic & poorly designed to achieve policy change.
But government ministers also need to take responsibility, their early decisions (in setting the purpose, scope, powers & chair) shape much of what follows
But government ministers also need to take responsibility, their early decisions (in setting the purpose, scope, powers & chair) shape much of what follows
December 19, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Inquiries themselves are often (fairly) criticised for being overly legalistic & poorly designed to achieve policy change.
But government ministers also need to take responsibility, their early decisions (in setting the purpose, scope, powers & chair) shape much of what follows
But government ministers also need to take responsibility, their early decisions (in setting the purpose, scope, powers & chair) shape much of what follows
Reposted by Tim Durrant
📝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 Tim Durrant
NEW | How can the government ensure inquiries are set up to succeed?
Early decisions can set inquiries off on the wrong path. Our report makes a series of recommendations for reforms designed to ensure inquiries are fit for purpose www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Early decisions can set inquiries off on the wrong path. Our report makes a series of recommendations for reforms designed to ensure inquiries are fit for purpose www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
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 9:56 AM
NEW | How can the government ensure inquiries are set up to succeed?
Early decisions can set inquiries off on the wrong path. Our report makes a series of recommendations for reforms designed to ensure inquiries are fit for purpose www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Early decisions can set inquiries off on the wrong path. Our report makes a series of recommendations for reforms designed to ensure inquiries are fit for purpose www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Reposted by Tim Durrant
NEW: judge-alone trials would save just 2% of time in the Crown Court. In total, we estimate reforms to jury trials would save <10% of court time. Great write-up from @reporterrwright.ft.com here www.ft.com/content/8a9f...
Scrapping juries would save less than 10% of court time, according to research
Reforms aim to ease backlog of nearly 80,000 cases waiting to be heard in England and Wales
www.ft.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:17 AM
NEW: judge-alone trials would save just 2% of time in the Crown Court. In total, we estimate reforms to jury trials would save <10% of court time. Great write-up from @reporterrwright.ft.com here www.ft.com/content/8a9f...
Reposted by Tim Durrant
Public appointments are being streamlined. But will it work?
The success of the updated governance code depends on ministers and departments putting it into practice.
Read the new comment from @howesdaniel.bsky.social @drmatthewgill.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/publ...
The success of the updated governance code depends on ministers and departments putting it into practice.
Read the new comment from @howesdaniel.bsky.social @drmatthewgill.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/publ...
Public appointments are being streamlined. But will it work? | Institute for Government
The success of the updated Governance Code on Public Appointments depends on ministers and departments putting it into practice.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
December 17, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Public appointments are being streamlined. But will it work?
The success of the updated governance code depends on ministers and departments putting it into practice.
Read the new comment from @howesdaniel.bsky.social @drmatthewgill.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/publ...
The success of the updated governance code depends on ministers and departments putting it into practice.
Read the new comment from @howesdaniel.bsky.social @drmatthewgill.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/publ...
Reposted by Tim Durrant
A case study well worth noting, with a recurrent theme that policy targeting is crude - due to: political incentives; easy levers not aligning with need; markets requiring careful stewardship; central decision-making being in tension with local sensitivity. Reads across to many other policy fields!
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 12:33 PM
A case study well worth noting, with a recurrent theme that policy targeting is crude - due to: political incentives; easy levers not aligning with need; markets requiring careful stewardship; central decision-making being in tension with local sensitivity. Reads across to many other policy fields!
Reposted by Tim Durrant
Starting now - tune in live and submit your questions for our panel www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/trump-...
December 16, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Starting now - tune in live and submit your questions for our panel www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/trump-...
Reposted by Tim Durrant
Civil service numbers continue to rise. Voluntary and mutually agreed exits not leading to a reduction yet
Particularly surprising - Cabinet Office grew by 695. More than half the number of people slated to leave through voluntary exit schemes *added* in just 3 months
See Dan’s great charts here
Particularly surprising - Cabinet Office grew by 695. More than half the number of people slated to leave through voluntary exit schemes *added* in just 3 months
See Dan’s great charts here
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 12:06 PM
Civil service numbers continue to rise. Voluntary and mutually agreed exits not leading to a reduction yet
Particularly surprising - Cabinet Office grew by 695. More than half the number of people slated to leave through voluntary exit schemes *added* in just 3 months
See Dan’s great charts here
Particularly surprising - Cabinet Office grew by 695. More than half the number of people slated to leave through voluntary exit schemes *added* in just 3 months
See Dan’s great charts here
Reposted by Tim Durrant
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
Reposted by Tim Durrant
TODAY | The Trump challenge: Chaos, confusion and government communications
Join our webinar with @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social on the impact of Trump’s unpredictable approach to facts, accuracy and communication
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/trump-...
Join our webinar with @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social on the impact of Trump’s unpredictable approach to facts, accuracy and communication
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/trump-...
December 16, 2025 at 10:51 AM
TODAY | The Trump challenge: Chaos, confusion and government communications
Join our webinar with @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social on the impact of Trump’s unpredictable approach to facts, accuracy and communication
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/trump-...
Join our webinar with @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social on the impact of Trump’s unpredictable approach to facts, accuracy and communication
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/trump-...
Reposted by Tim Durrant
as Trump throws a $ 10bn lawsuit at the BBC, @instituteforgovernment.org.uk picked a good day to discuss the President's impact on communications - with Katy Balls from @thetimes.com @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social - sign up www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/trump-...
The Trump challenge: Chaos, confusion and government communications | Institute for Government
Alastair Campbell, Katy Balls and Simon Baugh join us to discuss the impact of Trump’s unpredictable approach to facts, accuracy and communication
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
December 16, 2025 at 7:44 AM
as Trump throws a $ 10bn lawsuit at the BBC, @instituteforgovernment.org.uk picked a good day to discuss the President's impact on communications - with Katy Balls from @thetimes.com @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social - sign up www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/trump-...
This looks like it'll be a great event:
Thrilled to be working with Martin, @mysociety.org & others on this - a brand new #FOI conference!
Join us (Birkbeck, London/online) on Thurs 19 Feb - sign up for free pretix.eu/mysociety/fo...
And sign up for details of a new FOI Network - more details to follow www.mysociety.org/transparency...
Join us (Birkbeck, London/online) on Thurs 19 Feb - sign up for free pretix.eu/mysociety/fo...
And sign up for details of a new FOI Network - more details to follow www.mysociety.org/transparency...
December 16, 2025 at 9:52 AM
This looks like it'll be a great event:
Interesting from the PM at the Liaison Committee: not minded to put the position of the independent adviser on ministerial interests, but he "never closes [his] mind to further steps that could be taken"
December 15, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Interesting from the PM at the Liaison Committee: not minded to put the position of the independent adviser on ministerial interests, but he "never closes [his] mind to further steps that could be taken"
Great blog from Megan on the latest set of @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Ministers Reflect interviews
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...
My comment piece below explores the key lessons Starmer's govt can take from these reflections.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/less...
December 15, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Great blog from Megan on the latest set of @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Ministers Reflect interviews
Fascinating interview, including quite a long, frank section on how hurt Murray was (understandably!) on being sacked as Scottish secretary. Interesting that he's willing to go on the record with this as a minister - shows perhaps how loose the PM's and his team's grip on things are now...?
Full interview also covers digital ID and adjusting to a tech-heavy brief www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Ian Murray: 'This is the Ministry of Fun. What's not to like?'
The former Scottish secretary tells Mandy Rhodes about that reshuffle and its aftermath
www.holyrood.com
December 15, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Fascinating interview, including quite a long, frank section on how hurt Murray was (understandably!) on being sacked as Scottish secretary. Interesting that he's willing to go on the record with this as a minister - shows perhaps how loose the PM's and his team's grip on things are now...?
Reposted by Tim Durrant
New comment | Three things the government needs to do to make the child poverty strategy work
The child poverty strategy is a concrete shift towards prevention but ministers must take action to implement it effectively.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/chil...
The child poverty strategy is a concrete shift towards prevention but ministers must take action to implement it effectively.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/chil...
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 15, 2025 at 11:28 AM
New comment | Three things the government needs to do to make the child poverty strategy work
The child poverty strategy is a concrete shift towards prevention but ministers must take action to implement it effectively.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/chil...
The child poverty strategy is a concrete shift towards prevention but ministers must take action to implement it effectively.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/chil...
Reposted by Tim Durrant
🎄 🎶Four mayors delayed, three ministers reflect and a House of Lords battle renewed 🎶 🎄
@drhannahwhite.bsky.social @akashpaun.bsky.social @jackpannell.bsky.social and @rebeccamckee.bsky.social on this week’s Inside Briefing
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/i...
@drhannahwhite.bsky.social @akashpaun.bsky.social @jackpannell.bsky.social and @rebeccamckee.bsky.social on this week’s Inside Briefing
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/i...
Four mayors delayed, three ministers reflect, and a House of Lords battle renewed
Podcast Episode · Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government · 12/12/2025 · 39m
podcasts.apple.com
December 12, 2025 at 10:31 AM
🎄 🎶Four mayors delayed, three ministers reflect and a House of Lords battle renewed 🎶 🎄
@drhannahwhite.bsky.social @akashpaun.bsky.social @jackpannell.bsky.social and @rebeccamckee.bsky.social on this week’s Inside Briefing
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/i...
@drhannahwhite.bsky.social @akashpaun.bsky.social @jackpannell.bsky.social and @rebeccamckee.bsky.social on this week’s Inside Briefing
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/i...
Reposted by Tim Durrant
One of the best thing we do at IfG (in my unbiased opinion) is the Ministers Reflect archive. Megan has summarised our three most recent interviews here, but cannot reccomend enough going down the rabbit-hole of Ministers Reflect interviews as some pre-xmas procrastination.
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 5:03 PM
One of the best thing we do at IfG (in my unbiased opinion) is the Ministers Reflect archive. Megan has summarised our three most recent interviews here, but cannot reccomend enough going down the rabbit-hole of Ministers Reflect interviews as some pre-xmas procrastination.
Reposted by Tim Durrant
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...
Fab insights from Megan on the latest set of @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Ministers Reflect interviews - do check them all out in her thread:
He compared his experience working for 3 different prime ministers – David Cameron, Theresa May and Boris Johnson – and found that Johnson was the “least well briefed” of the three.
December 11, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Fab insights from Megan on the latest set of @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Ministers Reflect interviews - do check them all out in her thread:
Reposted by Tim Durrant
This should be a great event... What can govt communicators do when Trump blows up their grid on a daily basis. Have we now normalised ignoring facts and is politics just performance art? Does our system of government have any protections if someone followed populist playbook?
WEBINAR | The Trump challenge: Chaos, confusion and government communications
@alastaircampbell2.bsky.social and @simonbaugh.bsky.social will join us to discuss the impact of Trump’s unpredictable approach to facts, accuracy and communication.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/trump-...
@alastaircampbell2.bsky.social and @simonbaugh.bsky.social will join us to discuss the impact of Trump’s unpredictable approach to facts, accuracy and communication.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/trump-...
December 11, 2025 at 11:39 AM
This should be a great event... What can govt communicators do when Trump blows up their grid on a daily basis. Have we now normalised ignoring facts and is politics just performance art? Does our system of government have any protections if someone followed populist playbook?
Reposted by Tim Durrant
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"