Rosa Hodgkin
@rosahodgkin.bsky.social
Researcher at Institute for Government working mostly on climate policy and improving policymaking more generally
Reposted by Rosa Hodgkin
Decided to write out my thoughts on this for @instituteforgov.bsky.social on why tightly ringenced funding with onerous reporting requirements for ministerial pet projects is a drain on local and central government and can drive the wrong incentives
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/poth...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/poth...
Pothole politics risks undermining MHCLG’s efforts to simplify funding | Institute for Government
Keir Starmer's plan to fix potholes risks creating more problems.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
March 24, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Decided to write out my thoughts on this for @instituteforgov.bsky.social on why tightly ringenced funding with onerous reporting requirements for ministerial pet projects is a drain on local and central government and can drive the wrong incentives
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/poth...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/poth...
Among many interesting facts...
Had no idea that the UK govt puts more money into business support than comparators but unusually almost all through tax - 2.3% of GDP (£62bn) on industrial support through the tax system in 2023 according to the OECD
Had no idea that the UK govt puts more money into business support than comparators but unusually almost all through tax - 2.3% of GDP (£62bn) on industrial support through the tax system in 2023 according to the OECD
February 7, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Among many interesting facts...
Had no idea that the UK govt puts more money into business support than comparators but unusually almost all through tax - 2.3% of GDP (£62bn) on industrial support through the tax system in 2023 according to the OECD
Had no idea that the UK govt puts more money into business support than comparators but unusually almost all through tax - 2.3% of GDP (£62bn) on industrial support through the tax system in 2023 according to the OECD
The government is clearly keen to show that it is determined to push ahead with building despite potential opposition
But clarity on community benefits might help to introduce a slightly more collaborative tone with communities affected by this and other kinds of new infrastructure.
But clarity on community benefits might help to introduce a slightly more collaborative tone with communities affected by this and other kinds of new infrastructure.
The government’s welcome planning reforms alone won’t deliver Starmer’s ‘building boom’ | Institute for Government
The government's planning reforms are bold and ambitious.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
February 6, 2025 at 3:21 PM
The government is clearly keen to show that it is determined to push ahead with building despite potential opposition
But clarity on community benefits might help to introduce a slightly more collaborative tone with communities affected by this and other kinds of new infrastructure.
But clarity on community benefits might help to introduce a slightly more collaborative tone with communities affected by this and other kinds of new infrastructure.
If new areas do see nuclear infrastructure the PM implied that new community benefits (possibly lower energy bills) might be available to communities nearby
(we talked to @chrisstark.bsky.social about when we might hear more on this at our event on Tuesday - watch back below)
(we talked to @chrisstark.bsky.social about when we might hear more on this at our event on Tuesday - watch back below)
How can the government accelerate its clean power mission? | Institute for Government
An expert panel discussed the potential pitfalls to achieving Labour's clean power commitments.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
February 6, 2025 at 3:21 PM
If new areas do see nuclear infrastructure the PM implied that new community benefits (possibly lower energy bills) might be available to communities nearby
(we talked to @chrisstark.bsky.social about when we might hear more on this at our event on Tuesday - watch back below)
(we talked to @chrisstark.bsky.social about when we might hear more on this at our event on Tuesday - watch back below)
It is obviously a complex issue with critical safety considerations.
The number of taskforces/reviews set up by the govt has been criticised but delivering thought through reforms can help build consensus and public confidence as long as the new nuclear taskforce is focused and clear on its aims.
The number of taskforces/reviews set up by the govt has been criticised but delivering thought through reforms can help build consensus and public confidence as long as the new nuclear taskforce is focused and clear on its aims.
The government should not be criticised for commissioning policy reviews | Institute for Government
Whether there are 67 reviews underway or not, the key is to learn from how past reviews worked.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
February 6, 2025 at 3:21 PM
It is obviously a complex issue with critical safety considerations.
The number of taskforces/reviews set up by the govt has been criticised but delivering thought through reforms can help build consensus and public confidence as long as the new nuclear taskforce is focused and clear on its aims.
The number of taskforces/reviews set up by the govt has been criticised but delivering thought through reforms can help build consensus and public confidence as long as the new nuclear taskforce is focused and clear on its aims.
Regulators reportedly required 7000 changes to the design of Hinkley Point C meaning significantly more concrete and steel than the versions of the same reactor being built in Finland and France
Hinkley C: UK nuclear plant price tag could rocket by a third
EDF says final costs could soar by about a third as it faces a delayed completion date.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 6, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Regulators reportedly required 7000 changes to the design of Hinkley Point C meaning significantly more concrete and steel than the versions of the same reactor being built in Finland and France
In this context reform makes sense.
Recent attempts to build new nuclear power stations in the UK have taken longer and cost more than in other countries and our regulatory system is part of that.
Recent attempts to build new nuclear power stations in the UK have taken longer and cost more than in other countries and our regulatory system is part of that.
The FT reports that Sizewell C's price tag is likely to hit £40bn.
This would make it the 2nd most expensive nuclear power station in the world. (Hinkley Point C is the most.)
It doesn't need to be this way.
South Korea builds nuclear plants for one-sixth of the cost.
This would make it the 2nd most expensive nuclear power station in the world. (Hinkley Point C is the most.)
It doesn't need to be this way.
South Korea builds nuclear plants for one-sixth of the cost.
February 6, 2025 at 3:21 PM
In this context reform makes sense.
Recent attempts to build new nuclear power stations in the UK have taken longer and cost more than in other countries and our regulatory system is part of that.
Recent attempts to build new nuclear power stations in the UK have taken longer and cost more than in other countries and our regulatory system is part of that.
Nuclear is an important part of the government's 2030 clean power and 2050 net zero plans - providing baseload power to support variable renewables (although SMRs are not yet commercially proven)
And most of the UK's current nuclear power stations are reaching the end of their lifespans
And most of the UK's current nuclear power stations are reaching the end of their lifespans
Clean power by 2030 | Institute for Government
How Keir Starmer can knock down the 10 biggest barriers to Labour's 2030 clean power plan.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
February 6, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Nuclear is an important part of the government's 2030 clean power and 2050 net zero plans - providing baseload power to support variable renewables (although SMRs are not yet commercially proven)
And most of the UK's current nuclear power stations are reaching the end of their lifespans
And most of the UK's current nuclear power stations are reaching the end of their lifespans