Nehal Davison
@nehaldavison.bsky.social
Programme Director @instituteforgov working on policymaking. Former New Zealand public servant. Views my own.
Reposted by Nehal Davison
🎧🎧Listen now!
Brilliant analysis of Starmer’s speech and the Labour conference with @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @cathhaddon.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social and guest @sophiestowers.bsky.social of @moreincommonuk.bsky.social
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
Brilliant analysis of Starmer’s speech and the Labour conference with @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @cathhaddon.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social and guest @sophiestowers.bsky.social of @moreincommonuk.bsky.social
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
October 1, 2025 at 12:20 PM
🎧🎧Listen now!
Brilliant analysis of Starmer’s speech and the Labour conference with @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @cathhaddon.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social and guest @sophiestowers.bsky.social of @moreincommonuk.bsky.social
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
Brilliant analysis of Starmer’s speech and the Labour conference with @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @cathhaddon.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social and guest @sophiestowers.bsky.social of @moreincommonuk.bsky.social
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...
Fantastic event on the Best Start in Life strategy with @speechandlanguk.bsky.social, Dingley’s Promise, @sarahronan.bsky.social and more. Lots of practical recommendations for building a more inclusive early years system.
September 30, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Fantastic event on the Best Start in Life strategy with @speechandlanguk.bsky.social, Dingley’s Promise, @sarahronan.bsky.social and more. Lots of practical recommendations for building a more inclusive early years system.
The early years were missing from last month’s SR, but Labour’s Best Start in Life strategy shows they are still committed. Read @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social and my and my take on what it gets right - and what it’ll take to make it a reality.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/labo...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/labo...
Labour’s Best Start in Life Strategy has got off to a good start – now comes the hard part | Institute for Government
The government’s early years strategy signals strong intent, but will require confident, careful steering to make it a reality.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
July 14, 2025 at 9:42 AM
The early years were missing from last month’s SR, but Labour’s Best Start in Life strategy shows they are still committed. Read @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social and my and my take on what it gets right - and what it’ll take to make it a reality.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/labo...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/labo...
Reposted by Nehal Davison
Our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk spending review analysis is out! Take a read here www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/spen...
Our key takeaways: 1/7
Our key takeaways: 1/7
Spending review 2025: Six key things we learned from Rachel Reeves' announcement | Institute for Government
IfG experts set out the six things they learned from the spending review.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
June 11, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk spending review analysis is out! Take a read here www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/spen...
Our key takeaways: 1/7
Our key takeaways: 1/7
Great thread from @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social on what the SR means for the early years and ambition to give children the “best start in life” 👇
This does not ease concerns that early years policy is poorly aligned with the government's stated long-term delivery priorities for the opportunities mission. More on this in my report with @nehaldavison.bsky.social here.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Policy making for left-behind groups: School readiness | Institute for Government
How can government start closing the opportunity gap in early years education?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
June 11, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Great thread from @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social on what the SR means for the early years and ambition to give children the “best start in life” 👇
Thanks to all the early years experts who’ve shared insights on the govt’s opportunity mission.
Next up: boys eligible for free school meals – one of the most persistently left-behind groups.
More here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/early-years-...
Next up: boys eligible for free school meals – one of the most persistently left-behind groups.
More here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/early-years-...
Closing the early years opportunity gap for boys eligible for free school meals | Institute for Government
Next steps for the IfG's work on school readiness.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
May 27, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Thanks to all the early years experts who’ve shared insights on the govt’s opportunity mission.
Next up: boys eligible for free school meals – one of the most persistently left-behind groups.
More here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/early-years-...
Next up: boys eligible for free school meals – one of the most persistently left-behind groups.
More here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/early-years-...
Great blog by @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social on the “trilemma” govt faces in adult social care: welcome overseas workers (ruled out this week), boost council funding (unlikely) or accept further decline in access and performance. 👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/adul...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/adul...
Adult social care could be a victim of the government’s immigration white paper | Institute for Government
The immigration white paper makes it less likely that the government will improve performance in adult social care.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
May 14, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Great blog by @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social on the “trilemma” govt faces in adult social care: welcome overseas workers (ruled out this week), boost council funding (unlikely) or accept further decline in access and performance. 👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/adul...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/adul...
School absence has exploded, but it is preventable. Moira Wallace, first Director of Blair’s Social Exclusion Unit, tells the story of how they brought down record absence in the late 1990s & 2000s and sets out clear lessons for this govt. See 👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Reducing school absence | Institute for Government
Learning from the last Labour government can help Keir Starmer reduce school absence.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
May 7, 2025 at 9:35 AM
School absence has exploded, but it is preventable. Moira Wallace, first Director of Blair’s Social Exclusion Unit, tells the story of how they brought down record absence in the late 1990s & 2000s and sets out clear lessons for this govt. See 👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Latest from me on the govt’s ambition to ensure all children are ‘school ready’ 👇
Will the government-backed ‘starting reception’ guide help school readiness?
A new checklist to help parents prepare their child for reception is useful – but must be part of a broader package of support, says @nehaldavison.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...
A new checklist to help parents prepare their child for reception is useful – but must be part of a broader package of support, says @nehaldavison.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...
Will the government-backed ‘starting reception’ guide help school readiness? | Institute for Government
A new checklist to help parents prepare their child for reception is useful – but must be part of a broader package of support.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
April 24, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Latest from me on the govt’s ambition to ensure all children are ‘school ready’ 👇
Reposted by Nehal Davison
Want to know what the chancellor's announcements mean? Follow the @instituteforgov.bsky.social top public finances team of @gemmatetlow.bsky.social, @tompope.bsky.social and @danhaile.bsky.social!
March 26, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Want to know what the chancellor's announcements mean? Follow the @instituteforgov.bsky.social top public finances team of @gemmatetlow.bsky.social, @tompope.bsky.social and @danhaile.bsky.social!
📣Calling all early years experts and practitioners!
Our NEW report reveals which groups of children are most at risk of not being ‘school ready’ - based on the most comprehensive analysis of publicly available data to date.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Our NEW report reveals which groups of children are most at risk of not being ‘school ready’ - based on the most comprehensive analysis of publicly available data to date.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Policy making for left-behind groups: School readiness | Institute for Government
How can government start closing the opportunity gap in early years education?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
March 25, 2025 at 5:18 PM
📣Calling all early years experts and practitioners!
Our NEW report reveals which groups of children are most at risk of not being ‘school ready’ - based on the most comprehensive analysis of publicly available data to date.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Our NEW report reveals which groups of children are most at risk of not being ‘school ready’ - based on the most comprehensive analysis of publicly available data to date.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Reposted by Nehal Davison
NEW report from me and @nehaldavison.bsky.social on school readiness:
- Who is most at risk of not being school ready?
- What does this mean for the govt's opportunities mission? Is the target for 75% of children to be 'school ready' helpful?
🧵⬇️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
- Who is most at risk of not being school ready?
- What does this mean for the govt's opportunities mission? Is the target for 75% of children to be 'school ready' helpful?
🧵⬇️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Policy making for left-behind groups: School readiness | Institute for Government
How can government start closing the opportunity gap in early years education?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
March 24, 2025 at 4:32 PM
NEW report from me and @nehaldavison.bsky.social on school readiness:
- Who is most at risk of not being school ready?
- What does this mean for the govt's opportunities mission? Is the target for 75% of children to be 'school ready' helpful?
🧵⬇️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
- Who is most at risk of not being school ready?
- What does this mean for the govt's opportunities mission? Is the target for 75% of children to be 'school ready' helpful?
🧵⬇️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
New paper from @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social & I exploring who is at greatest risk of not being ‘school ready’ and what this means for the govts Opportunity Mission. Report 👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/... and write up in the @theipaper.com
March 24, 2025 at 10:49 AM
New paper from @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social & I exploring who is at greatest risk of not being ‘school ready’ and what this means for the govts Opportunity Mission. Report 👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/... and write up in the @theipaper.com
Reposted by Nehal Davison
A very big week for @instituteforgov.bsky.social and our Inside Briefing pod. We’re recording in Hull now and our instalment featuring the PM will land in your podcast feeds tonight.
We’ve just recorded this week’s Inside Briefing - with the prime minister joining us following today’s speech in Yorkshire.
@drhannahwhite.bsky.social’s interview with Keir Starmer will be landing in your podcast feeds tonight www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/our-podcasts...
@drhannahwhite.bsky.social’s interview with Keir Starmer will be landing in your podcast feeds tonight www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/our-podcasts...
March 13, 2025 at 12:58 PM
A very big week for @instituteforgov.bsky.social and our Inside Briefing pod. We’re recording in Hull now and our instalment featuring the PM will land in your podcast feeds tonight.
Calling all UK policy professionals (past and present) who have had to provide rapid advice to ministers under pressure. Fill in our survey 👇 to help us develop new tools that support policymakers to deliver rapid yet robust advice and give policies the best chance of success!
📢Calling all UK policy officials!
Have you ever had to provide policy advice under pressure – in a crisis or in response to breaking news? We at the @instituteforgov.bsky.social want to hear from you!
Fill out our survey (open until 14 Feb) to share your insights: bit.ly/3Ek2KoM!
Have you ever had to provide policy advice under pressure – in a crisis or in response to breaking news? We at the @instituteforgov.bsky.social want to hear from you!
Fill out our survey (open until 14 Feb) to share your insights: bit.ly/3Ek2KoM!
February 4, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Calling all UK policy professionals (past and present) who have had to provide rapid advice to ministers under pressure. Fill in our survey 👇 to help us develop new tools that support policymakers to deliver rapid yet robust advice and give policies the best chance of success!
Reposted by Nehal Davison
📢Calling all UK policy officials!
Have you ever had to provide policy advice under pressure – in a crisis or in response to breaking news? We at the @instituteforgov.bsky.social want to hear from you!
Fill out our survey (open until 14 Feb) to share your insights: bit.ly/3Ek2KoM!
Have you ever had to provide policy advice under pressure – in a crisis or in response to breaking news? We at the @instituteforgov.bsky.social want to hear from you!
Fill out our survey (open until 14 Feb) to share your insights: bit.ly/3Ek2KoM!
February 4, 2025 at 11:32 AM
📢Calling all UK policy officials!
Have you ever had to provide policy advice under pressure – in a crisis or in response to breaking news? We at the @instituteforgov.bsky.social want to hear from you!
Fill out our survey (open until 14 Feb) to share your insights: bit.ly/3Ek2KoM!
Have you ever had to provide policy advice under pressure – in a crisis or in response to breaking news? We at the @instituteforgov.bsky.social want to hear from you!
Fill out our survey (open until 14 Feb) to share your insights: bit.ly/3Ek2KoM!
Reposted by Nehal Davison
TOMORROW: How can the government accelerate its clean power mission?
Don't miss our event exploring Labour's progress on decarbonising power by 2030 and the potential pitfalls.
@rosahodgkin.bsky.social @chrisstark.bsky.social @dharavyas.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
Don't miss our event exploring Labour's progress on decarbonising power by 2030 and the potential pitfalls.
@rosahodgkin.bsky.social @chrisstark.bsky.social @dharavyas.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
February 3, 2025 at 2:14 PM
TOMORROW: How can the government accelerate its clean power mission?
Don't miss our event exploring Labour's progress on decarbonising power by 2030 and the potential pitfalls.
@rosahodgkin.bsky.social @chrisstark.bsky.social @dharavyas.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
Don't miss our event exploring Labour's progress on decarbonising power by 2030 and the potential pitfalls.
@rosahodgkin.bsky.social @chrisstark.bsky.social @dharavyas.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
Reposted by Nehal Davison
EVENT: The future of the Civil Service Policy Profession
🗓️ Thursday 6 Feb, 10:00
Register to hear Tamara Finkelstein, Aaron Maniam, Lord Vallance discuss the Policy Profession and how to embed professional expertise in the policy-making process www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/civil-...
🗓️ Thursday 6 Feb, 10:00
Register to hear Tamara Finkelstein, Aaron Maniam, Lord Vallance discuss the Policy Profession and how to embed professional expertise in the policy-making process www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/civil-...
January 23, 2025 at 12:06 PM
EVENT: The future of the Civil Service Policy Profession
🗓️ Thursday 6 Feb, 10:00
Register to hear Tamara Finkelstein, Aaron Maniam, Lord Vallance discuss the Policy Profession and how to embed professional expertise in the policy-making process www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/civil-...
🗓️ Thursday 6 Feb, 10:00
Register to hear Tamara Finkelstein, Aaron Maniam, Lord Vallance discuss the Policy Profession and how to embed professional expertise in the policy-making process www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/civil-...
Reposted by Nehal Davison
We described these thematic policy reviews as "Dutch-style reviews" in our paper last summer. More info here
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
How to run the next multi-year spending review | Institute for Government
Labour's missions need a reformed spending review process.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
January 21, 2025 at 5:27 PM
We described these thematic policy reviews as "Dutch-style reviews" in our paper last summer. More info here
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Reposted by Nehal Davison
Excellent to see Darren Jones announce the government will run a "regular programme of thematic reviews" between spending reviews.
Done well, these could help drive a more evidence-based and collaborative SR process
Done well, these could help drive a more evidence-based and collaborative SR process
Looking forward to speaking at the Institute for Government annual conference at 17:10.
I’ll be setting out what mission led government means in practice and how I’ve changed the spending review to deliver the Plan for Change.
You can watch live here👇
instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/governme…
I’ll be setting out what mission led government means in practice and how I’ve changed the spending review to deliver the Plan for Change.
You can watch live here👇
instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/governme…
January 21, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Excellent to see Darren Jones announce the government will run a "regular programme of thematic reviews" between spending reviews.
Done well, these could help drive a more evidence-based and collaborative SR process
Done well, these could help drive a more evidence-based and collaborative SR process
Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Treasury speaking at @ifgevents right now. Confirms that the govt has adopted most of the @instituteforgov.bsky.social recommendations on how to conduct a multi-year spending review. #impact
January 21, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Treasury speaking at @ifgevents right now. Confirms that the govt has adopted most of the @instituteforgov.bsky.social recommendations on how to conduct a multi-year spending review. #impact
Fascinating presentation from @joetwyman.bsky.social on new polling data for @instituteforgov.bsky.social on what people think about the govt‘s progress so far. Clear call for govt to listen more to women, older people, younger people, experts and others to ensure policies deliver results.
January 21, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Fascinating presentation from @joetwyman.bsky.social on new polling data for @instituteforgov.bsky.social on what people think about the govt‘s progress so far. Clear call for govt to listen more to women, older people, younger people, experts and others to ensure policies deliver results.
Reposted by Nehal Davison
Our Government 2025 annual conference is underway.
We're discussing how Labour has performed since returning to government, and what challenges – and opportunities – await in 2025.
Tune in live now www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
We're discussing how Labour has performed since returning to government, and what challenges – and opportunities – await in 2025.
Tune in live now www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
January 21, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Our Government 2025 annual conference is underway.
We're discussing how Labour has performed since returning to government, and what challenges – and opportunities – await in 2025.
Tune in live now www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
We're discussing how Labour has performed since returning to government, and what challenges – and opportunities – await in 2025.
Tune in live now www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
Reposted by Nehal Davison
It’s @instituteforgov.bsky.social Whitehall Monitor launch day today!
Brilliant colleagues @jackworlidge.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social @tompope.bsky.social and more bring you the essential study of how the civil service is performing…
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Brilliant colleagues @jackworlidge.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social @tompope.bsky.social and more bring you the essential study of how the civil service is performing…
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Whitehall Monitor 2025 | Institute for Government
The civil service needs to change to deliver Labour's missions.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
January 16, 2025 at 3:34 PM
It’s @instituteforgov.bsky.social Whitehall Monitor launch day today!
Brilliant colleagues @jackworlidge.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social @tompope.bsky.social and more bring you the essential study of how the civil service is performing…
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Brilliant colleagues @jackworlidge.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social @tompope.bsky.social and more bring you the essential study of how the civil service is performing…
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
@sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social
visited the Sheffield Policy Campus in October – home to the largest number of policy civil servants outside London. Check out her comment on its successes so far and how it can step up a gear to be truly transformative👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/shef...
visited the Sheffield Policy Campus in October – home to the largest number of policy civil servants outside London. Check out her comment on its successes so far and how it can step up a gear to be truly transformative👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/shef...
More support would make the Sheffield Policy Campus success truly transformative | Institute for Government
Sheffield can be a "test and learn pioneer" at the heart of the government's plans to rewire the civil service.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
December 23, 2024 at 1:41 PM
@sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social
visited the Sheffield Policy Campus in October – home to the largest number of policy civil servants outside London. Check out her comment on its successes so far and how it can step up a gear to be truly transformative👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/shef...
visited the Sheffield Policy Campus in October – home to the largest number of policy civil servants outside London. Check out her comment on its successes so far and how it can step up a gear to be truly transformative👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/shef...