Shaina Sangha
LightNews LightNews
shaina-sangha.bsky.social
Shaina Sangha
@shaina-sangha.bsky.social
110 followers 130 following 45 posts
Policymaking team and formerly public finances @instituteforgovernment.org.uk.
Former parliamentary staffer.
Posts Replies Media Videos
shaina-sangha.bsky.social
Budget news of international student levy at £925 flat rate, not as % of tuition fees.

This is likely better re. reducing no. coming to UK on student visas to work. Flat rate hits so-called "visa farm" HE providers offering cheaper courses, w. less impact on elite, high-fee institutions. 🧵
November 26, 2025 at 5:21 PM
shaina-sangha.bsky.social
Finally, with Rachel Reeves' own budget looming this Thursday, some sage words from Alistair Darling, who likewise had to sail the government ship through tricky waters during the financial crisis, on the opportunity that a budget can represent. 8/9
Quote graphic with “#Ministers Reflect” and a statement about the political significance of budgets, attributed to Alistair Darling - Chancellor of the exchequer (2007-10), whose portrait appears to the right of the quote. The quote reads: "The budget statement, for example, isn't just like a company annual report or announcing your housekeeping measures for the next year, it is a political statement of what the government is about." The Institute for Government logo is in the corner of the image.
November 24, 2025 at 1:31 PM
shaina-sangha.bsky.social
We have some (probably unhelpful) words from Reeves' predecessor in the role, Jeremy Hunt, on what government's *don't* achieve through fiscal gameplaying. 7/9
Quote graphic with “#Ministers Reflect” and a statement about the problems that arise from micromanagement of small sums of money to meet fiscal rules, attributed to Jeremy Hunt - Chancellor of the exchequer (2022-24), whose portrait appears to the right of the quote. The quote reads: "I think the micromanagement by the Treasury of small amounts, to hit a number at a fiscal event, mitigates against the kind of long-term reforms that a lot of our public services need." The Institute for Government logo is in the corner of the image.
November 24, 2025 at 1:31 PM
shaina-sangha.bsky.social
Ed Balls, who held many roles in the Treasury, as a key Labour spad then as EST from 2006 to 2007, offers advice as a true insider on how best to engage with the department. 6/9
Quote graphic with “#Ministers Reflect” and a statement about what the Treasury expects from other departments, attributed to Ed Balls - Economic secretary to the Treasury (2006-07), whose portrait appears to the right of the quote. The quote reads: "The thing with the Treasury is that you have to talk to them in a language they understand. There has to be mutual respect, they have got to know you are serious. When you establish your negotiating parameters, they have got to know that you mean what you say and it's robust." The Institute for Government logo is in the corner of the image.
November 24, 2025 at 1:31 PM
shaina-sangha.bsky.social
Caroline Spelman’s experience chimes with that of many ministers outside of the Treasury, finding it to be a block on the delivery of her priorities as a secretary of state. 5/9
Quote graphic with “#Ministers Reflect” and a statement about the challenge of dealing with the Treasury as a minister in another department, attributed to Caroline Spelman - Secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs (2010-12), whose portrait appears to the right of the quote. The quote reads: "I found the Treasury very hard to deal with; it has all the power because it has all the money." The Institute for Government logo is in the corner of the image.
November 24, 2025 at 1:31 PM
shaina-sangha.bsky.social
It's not all rosy though, Jack Straw provided perspective on the Treasury from the outside. He nodded to the brinkmanship and gameplaying that often occurs during negotiations between the Treasury and other departments. 4/9
Quote graphic with “#Ministers Reflect” and a statement about the gameplaying between the Treasury and other departments during spending decisions, attributed to Jack Straw - Cabinet minister (1992-2010), whose portrait appears to the right of the quote. The quote reads: "I knew enough about negotiating with the Treasury to know that you had to take it to the wire ... You always get an extra £20 million if you're difficult." The Institute for Government logo is in the corner of the image.
November 24, 2025 at 1:31 PM
shaina-sangha.bsky.social
Likewise, Liam Byrne spoke about the special 'energy' that the Treasury has at the centre of government. 3/9
Quote graphic with “#Ministers Reflect” and a statement about the special atmosphere in the Treasury, attributed to Liam Byrne - Chief secretary to the Treasury (2009-10), whose portrait appears to the right of the quote. The quote reads: "There's only one department in Whitehall that has it's own kinetic energy and that's the Treasury." The Institute for Government logo is in the corner of the image.
November 24, 2025 at 1:31 PM
shaina-sangha.bsky.social
We've spoken with chancellors, Treasury ministers and others from elsewhere across government.
Ken Clarke remembers the wide-ranging powers of the chancellor. 2/9
Quote graphic with “#Ministers Reflect” and a statement about the chancellor’s wide ranging powers, attributed to Ken Clarke — Chancellor of the Exchequer (1993-97), whose portrait appears to the right of the quote. The quote reads: "The chancellor is different to the others because you get intimately involved with every aspect of government." The Institute for Government logo is in the corner of the image.
November 24, 2025 at 1:31 PM
shaina-sangha.bsky.social
New paper, 'Ministers reflect on the Treasury' from @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social and me for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk. Pre-budget, we've compiled insights from 10 years of Ministers Reflect interviews, plus rex from the IfG catalogue on HMT. Favourite quotes to follow! 1/🧵 tinyurl.com/38anhkc7
Quote graphic with “#Ministers Reflect” and a statement about the chancellor’s power over money, attributed to Jeremy Hunt — Chancellor of the Exchequer (2022–24), whose portrait appears to the right of the quote. The quote reads: "I think most of your power does revolve around the decisions you can make over money [...as chancellor] that puts you in a very different position to every other cabinet minister, including the prime minister." The Institute for Government logo is in the corner of the image.
November 24, 2025 at 1:31 PM
shaina-sangha.bsky.social
Re. Farage's £ figures in announcement today on asylum plans, this is not a big money saver for govt. HO's total managed expenditure (for police, asylum, national security etc) in 24/25 was £22.5bn. That's a lot but £8bn less than e.g. DfT and 1/13th of what DWP spends. 1/7
August 26, 2025 at 3:19 PM