Amber Dellar
@amberdellar.bsky.social
Researcher, public services @instituteforgovernment.org.uk. Focusing on schools and local government, particularly children's social care and homelessness. She/her
Pinned
Performance Tracker 2025: Schools | Institute for Government
It will be extremely difficult for the government to meet its education priorities within the budget it has set for the coming parliament.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
NEW REPORT Labour is struggling to meet its education priorities. It has big ambitions to improve schools, but a budget that falls short of matching them. And with no clear plans to reform the SEND system or tackle workforce shortages, children are being left without the support they need.
Reposted by Amber Dellar
In other news look at councils projected cumulative deficit just on special needs costs over the next few years. Yikes.
November 17, 2025 at 9:27 AM
In other news look at councils projected cumulative deficit just on special needs costs over the next few years. Yikes.
Reposted by Amber Dellar
NEW REPORT: the govt has been running the NHS in England for 16 months
So how are they doing?
Tl;dr there are some signs of progress, but the overall approach to reforming the service has been chaotic, with little coherence between policies
🧵👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
So how are they doing?
Tl;dr there are some signs of progress, but the overall approach to reforming the service has been chaotic, with little coherence between policies
🧵👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Performance Tracker 2025: NHS | Institute for Government
NHS performance is improving, but a complex and haphazardly planned reform package might slow progress.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 16, 2025 at 2:47 PM
NEW REPORT: the govt has been running the NHS in England for 16 months
So how are they doing?
Tl;dr there are some signs of progress, but the overall approach to reforming the service has been chaotic, with little coherence between policies
🧵👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
So how are they doing?
Tl;dr there are some signs of progress, but the overall approach to reforming the service has been chaotic, with little coherence between policies
🧵👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Reposted by Amber Dellar
Guardian’s top story is @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social’s analysis of NHS performance, the latest release from Public Service Performance Tracker 2025.
There are some positives from past years but these risk being undermined by loss of GP partners, social care failures and chaotic approach to reform
There are some positives from past years but these risk being undermined by loss of GP partners, social care failures and chaotic approach to reform
Wes Streeting accused of ‘chaotic and incoherent approach’ to NHS reform
Exclusive: thinktank report finds health secretary has failed to improve productivity, with the health service unlikely to meet its targets
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Guardian’s top story is @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social’s analysis of NHS performance, the latest release from Public Service Performance Tracker 2025.
There are some positives from past years but these risk being undermined by loss of GP partners, social care failures and chaotic approach to reform
There are some positives from past years but these risk being undermined by loss of GP partners, social care failures and chaotic approach to reform
Reposted by Amber Dellar
Empty classrooms present government with a challenge and an opportunity
The government needs to show strategic direction on school places, says @amberdellar.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/empt...
The government needs to show strategic direction on school places, says @amberdellar.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/empt...
Empty classrooms present government with a challenge and an opportunity | Institute for Government
The government needs to show strategic direction on school places.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 13, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Empty classrooms present government with a challenge and an opportunity
The government needs to show strategic direction on school places, says @amberdellar.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/empt...
The government needs to show strategic direction on school places, says @amberdellar.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/empt...
Reposted by Amber Dellar
It was fascinating to work on this research with @hopenothate.org.uk.
All political parties are coalitions of voters with different preferences, but current supporters of Reform are especially disparate. The big question is how long Farage can keep them all on side.
All political parties are coalitions of voters with different preferences, but current supporters of Reform are especially disparate. The big question is how long Farage can keep them all on side.
Who supports Reform and why? The charts that show who favours Farage’s party
Who supports Reform and why? The charts that show who favours Farage’s party
Based on largest poll of supporters, these charts and maps show five distinct groups that could hand Reform a majority
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:36 PM
It was fascinating to work on this research with @hopenothate.org.uk.
All political parties are coalitions of voters with different preferences, but current supporters of Reform are especially disparate. The big question is how long Farage can keep them all on side.
All political parties are coalitions of voters with different preferences, but current supporters of Reform are especially disparate. The big question is how long Farage can keep them all on side.
'Cornwall council offered suppliers £6m to staff illegal children’s homes'
This might be a new low in terms of normalising children living in unlawful settings, but unfortunately, it really shouldn't come as a surprise
This might be a new low in terms of normalising children living in unlawful settings, but unfortunately, it really shouldn't come as a surprise
Cornwall council offered suppliers £6m to staff illegal children’s…
Regulators intervene after UK local authority accused of normalising unlawful placements
www.thebureauinvestigates.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:43 AM
'Cornwall council offered suppliers £6m to staff illegal children’s homes'
This might be a new low in terms of normalising children living in unlawful settings, but unfortunately, it really shouldn't come as a surprise
This might be a new low in terms of normalising children living in unlawful settings, but unfortunately, it really shouldn't come as a surprise
Empty classrooms present government with a challenge and an opportunity
Some strategic direction would help to ease two mounting pressures - the shortage of places in special schools and the surplus in mainstream schools
Some strategic direction would help to ease two mounting pressures - the shortage of places in special schools and the surplus in mainstream schools
Empty classrooms present government with a challenge and an opportunity | Institute for Government
The government needs to show strategic direction on school places
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 13, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Empty classrooms present government with a challenge and an opportunity
Some strategic direction would help to ease two mounting pressures - the shortage of places in special schools and the surplus in mainstream schools
Some strategic direction would help to ease two mounting pressures - the shortage of places in special schools and the surplus in mainstream schools
Reposted by Amber Dellar
There's no-one I trust more on contemporary housing policy than @peteapps.bsky.social. This is an important read: 'The new social housing programme looks more and more like a genuine step forward'.
open.substack.com/pub/peteapps...
open.substack.com/pub/peteapps...
The new social housing programme looks more and more like a genuine step forwards
New government funding will support the development of tens of thousands of socially rented homes a year. Plus, the descent of Assent
open.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:17 PM
There's no-one I trust more on contemporary housing policy than @peteapps.bsky.social. This is an important read: 'The new social housing programme looks more and more like a genuine step forward'.
open.substack.com/pub/peteapps...
open.substack.com/pub/peteapps...
Reposted by Amber Dellar
It's regression, isn't it? Regression in a trench coat, regression with a fake moustache, regression speaking ze french wiz a bit of ho-hee-hon, but still regression
With the caveat that it's impossible to know what is really happening from such a short story, this is clearly a terrible idea www.theguardian.com/education/20...
All schools in England to be given AI-generated pupil attendance targets
Unions decry move, saying it will put more pressure on headteachers without tackling absence from classrooms
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:55 AM
It's regression, isn't it? Regression in a trench coat, regression with a fake moustache, regression speaking ze french wiz a bit of ho-hee-hon, but still regression
Reposted by Amber Dellar
Come join us next Monday for a conversation about all things fast stream!
Are you interested in the fast stream’s role in the wider civil service recruitment ecosystem, and what the future fast stream reform efforts focus on?
Join us next Monday for our event How can the fast stream deliver more for the civil service?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/civil-...
Join us next Monday for our event How can the fast stream deliver more for the civil service?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/civil-...
November 11, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Come join us next Monday for a conversation about all things fast stream!
Reposted by Amber Dellar
Well…Cost of privately-run children's homes in Blackpool soars to £21m a year as council looks at in-house option
www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/cost-of...
www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/cost-of...
Cost of privately-run children's homes in resort soars to £21m a year
Blackpool Council is looking into alternative models of residential care for children in the face of the “unsustainable” £21 million a year costs of private care provision.
www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Well…Cost of privately-run children's homes in Blackpool soars to £21m a year as council looks at in-house option
www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/cost-of...
www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/cost-of...
Reposted by Amber Dellar
Amazing work by Amber!
This is part of @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's Public Services Performance Tracker 2025. We've published chapters on local govt, criminal justice + schools. NHS + cross-service analysis chapters will be out in next 2 weeks
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
This is part of @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's Public Services Performance Tracker 2025. We've published chapters on local govt, criminal justice + schools. NHS + cross-service analysis chapters will be out in next 2 weeks
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
November 6, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Amazing work by Amber!
This is part of @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's Public Services Performance Tracker 2025. We've published chapters on local govt, criminal justice + schools. NHS + cross-service analysis chapters will be out in next 2 weeks
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
This is part of @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's Public Services Performance Tracker 2025. We've published chapters on local govt, criminal justice + schools. NHS + cross-service analysis chapters will be out in next 2 weeks
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
NEW REPORT Labour is struggling to meet its education priorities. It has big ambitions to improve schools, but a budget that falls short of matching them. And with no clear plans to reform the SEND system or tackle workforce shortages, children are being left without the support they need.
Performance Tracker 2025: Schools | Institute for Government
It will be extremely difficult for the government to meet its education priorities within the budget it has set for the coming parliament.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 6, 2025 at 9:57 AM
NEW REPORT Labour is struggling to meet its education priorities. It has big ambitions to improve schools, but a budget that falls short of matching them. And with no clear plans to reform the SEND system or tackle workforce shortages, children are being left without the support they need.
Reposted by Amber Dellar
NEW: the latest in our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Performance Tracker series is out today
And ace colleague @amberdellar.bsky.social has been looking at school performance
The data is.. worrying
@laurahughesft.bsky.social at the @financialtimes.com has the story
www.ft.com/content/9be6...
And ace colleague @amberdellar.bsky.social has been looking at school performance
The data is.. worrying
@laurahughesft.bsky.social at the @financialtimes.com has the story
www.ft.com/content/9be6...
Number of unfilled primary school places in England hits record high
IfG report shows London has been disproportionately affected by drop in pupil numbers
www.ft.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:44 AM
NEW: the latest in our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Performance Tracker series is out today
And ace colleague @amberdellar.bsky.social has been looking at school performance
The data is.. worrying
@laurahughesft.bsky.social at the @financialtimes.com has the story
www.ft.com/content/9be6...
And ace colleague @amberdellar.bsky.social has been looking at school performance
The data is.. worrying
@laurahughesft.bsky.social at the @financialtimes.com has the story
www.ft.com/content/9be6...
Reposted by Amber Dellar
Another week, another mistaken prisoner release! Almost like this is a systemic problem www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/pris...
November 5, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Another week, another mistaken prisoner release! Almost like this is a systemic problem www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/pris...
Reposted by Amber Dellar
Rachel Reeves has pledged to do what is necessary to protect public services "from a return to austerity".
So how are public services performing? The first instalments of Performance Tracker 2025 explore local govt services and criminal justice www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
So how are public services performing? The first instalments of Performance Tracker 2025 explore local govt services and criminal justice www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Public Services Performance Tracker 2025 | Institute for Government
Labour’s public service plans are less than the sum of their parts.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 4, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Rachel Reeves has pledged to do what is necessary to protect public services "from a return to austerity".
So how are public services performing? The first instalments of Performance Tracker 2025 explore local govt services and criminal justice www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
So how are public services performing? The first instalments of Performance Tracker 2025 explore local govt services and criminal justice www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Reposted by Amber Dellar
NEW REPORT Criminal justice is coming apart at the seams. Police, criminal courts & prisons can’t cope with the level of demand and performance keeps spiralling downwards. Early positive steps from the government won't be enough to turn things around
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Performance Tracker 2025: Criminal justice system | Institute for Government
The government must act to avoid the justice system returning to the crisis point seen when Labour entered office, or worse.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 23, 2025 at 6:44 AM
NEW REPORT Criminal justice is coming apart at the seams. Police, criminal courts & prisons can’t cope with the level of demand and performance keeps spiralling downwards. Early positive steps from the government won't be enough to turn things around
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Reposted by Amber Dellar
NEW REPORT: adult social care is putting immense pressure on local authorities' budgets, but there's no real evidence of improved access
Since 2016/17, spending on long-term care: ⬆️25%
People receiving LT care: ⬆️1%
What's going on?
Findings from our new report on adult social care🧵👇
Since 2016/17, spending on long-term care: ⬆️25%
People receiving LT care: ⬆️1%
What's going on?
Findings from our new report on adult social care🧵👇
October 21, 2025 at 8:38 AM
NEW REPORT: adult social care is putting immense pressure on local authorities' budgets, but there's no real evidence of improved access
Since 2016/17, spending on long-term care: ⬆️25%
People receiving LT care: ⬆️1%
What's going on?
Findings from our new report on adult social care🧵👇
Since 2016/17, spending on long-term care: ⬆️25%
People receiving LT care: ⬆️1%
What's going on?
Findings from our new report on adult social care🧵👇
Reposted by Amber Dellar
NEW COMMENT: Alarm bells are ringing in local govt and a rising proportion of spending goes on very few services
That should worry Labour. Rising council tax and worsening service performance fosters the sense that govt wastes money
More from me 👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/fail...
That should worry Labour. Rising council tax and worsening service performance fosters the sense that govt wastes money
More from me 👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/fail...
Failing to fix local government could hurt Labour’s re-election chances | Institute for Government
There are signs of severe financial distress in local government.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 20, 2025 at 10:09 AM
NEW COMMENT: Alarm bells are ringing in local govt and a rising proportion of spending goes on very few services
That should worry Labour. Rising council tax and worsening service performance fosters the sense that govt wastes money
More from me 👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/fail...
That should worry Labour. Rising council tax and worsening service performance fosters the sense that govt wastes money
More from me 👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/fail...
Reposted by Amber Dellar
This is a fantastic, in-depth look at how local authorities are performing, and the impact of austerity on local public services.
One thing particularly stood out to me from the report - the benefit of stable, long-term political leadership in local authorities for maintaining performance...
One thing particularly stood out to me from the report - the benefit of stable, long-term political leadership in local authorities for maintaining performance...
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/...
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
October 17, 2025 at 9:28 AM
This is a fantastic, in-depth look at how local authorities are performing, and the impact of austerity on local public services.
One thing particularly stood out to me from the report - the benefit of stable, long-term political leadership in local authorities for maintaining performance...
One thing particularly stood out to me from the report - the benefit of stable, long-term political leadership in local authorities for maintaining performance...
Reposted by Amber Dellar
🎧Tinker, Tailor, Starmer, Spies?
Latest @instituteforgovernment.org.uk podcast is out now!
@gabyhinsliff.bsky.social @theguardian.com joins @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @amberdellar.bsky.social @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social & @timdurrant.bsky.social
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
Latest @instituteforgovernment.org.uk podcast is out now!
@gabyhinsliff.bsky.social @theguardian.com joins @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @amberdellar.bsky.social @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social & @timdurrant.bsky.social
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
Tinker, Tailor, Starmer, Spies? | Institute for Government
The Guardian’s Gaby Hinsliff joins the podcast team explore the row and what it says about the UK’s relations with Beijing.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 16, 2025 at 10:23 AM
🎧Tinker, Tailor, Starmer, Spies?
Latest @instituteforgovernment.org.uk podcast is out now!
@gabyhinsliff.bsky.social @theguardian.com joins @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @amberdellar.bsky.social @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social & @timdurrant.bsky.social
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
Latest @instituteforgovernment.org.uk podcast is out now!
@gabyhinsliff.bsky.social @theguardian.com joins @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @amberdellar.bsky.social @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social & @timdurrant.bsky.social
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
Reposted by Amber Dellar
Really looking forward to chairing this next week. We’ve got some fantastic case studies from @local.gov.uk and @foundationsww.bsky.social
📢 Productivity Pitches #8 is here!
Join TPI & @instituteforgovernment.org.uk, 12:30-13:45, 21 Oct in London or online to explore innovation in public services.
Chaired by @njdavies.bsky.social, with insights from TPI's Joel Hoskins.
🔗 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/produc...
Join TPI & @instituteforgovernment.org.uk, 12:30-13:45, 21 Oct in London or online to explore innovation in public services.
Chaired by @njdavies.bsky.social, with insights from TPI's Joel Hoskins.
🔗 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/produc...
Productivity Pitches #8: Spreading innovation across public services | Institute for Government
Productivity Pitches highlights outstanding examples of innovation across public services.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 16, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Really looking forward to chairing this next week. We’ve got some fantastic case studies from @local.gov.uk and @foundationsww.bsky.social
Reposted by Amber Dellar
NEW: @instituteforgovernment.org.uk have published pt1 of Public Services Performance Tracker 2025 covering local government finances and overall performance, adult social care, children's social care and homelessness
Incredible work by @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social & @amberdellar.bsky.social
Incredible work by @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social & @amberdellar.bsky.social
Public Services Performance Tracker 2025 | Institute for Government
Labour’s public service plans are less than the sum of their parts.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 15, 2025 at 6:04 PM
NEW: @instituteforgovernment.org.uk have published pt1 of Public Services Performance Tracker 2025 covering local government finances and overall performance, adult social care, children's social care and homelessness
Incredible work by @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social & @amberdellar.bsky.social
Incredible work by @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social & @amberdellar.bsky.social
Reposted by Amber Dellar
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/...
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
October 16, 2025 at 8:58 AM
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/...
4 patterns we're seeing in adult social care, children's social care and homelessness services (with graphs)
And what govt should do about it
A thread from @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's NEW jumbo report (read 1 get 3 free) on the state of local government services and finance 👇
And what govt should do about it
A thread from @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's NEW jumbo report (read 1 get 3 free) on the state of local government services and finance 👇
Public Services Performance Tracker 2025 | Institute for Government
Labour’s public service plans are less than the sum of their parts.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 16, 2025 at 9:20 AM
4 patterns we're seeing in adult social care, children's social care and homelessness services (with graphs)
And what govt should do about it
A thread from @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's NEW jumbo report (read 1 get 3 free) on the state of local government services and finance 👇
And what govt should do about it
A thread from @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's NEW jumbo report (read 1 get 3 free) on the state of local government services and finance 👇