Sophie Metcalfe
@sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social
Senior researcher in policymaking at Institute for Government - especially all things housing, planning and early years
Pinned
The opportunity gap facing boys from low-income families at age 5 and beyond | Institute for Government
Early attainment gaps mean some boys don't just start behind, they stay behind.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
NEW: Report from me and @nehaldavison.bsky.social on how and why boys from low-income families get left behind in their early years
🧵⬇️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
🧵⬇️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Reposted by Sophie Metcalfe
Useful report and thread. These problems with policy making are widespread and go well beyond early years.
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 4:44 PM
Useful report and thread. These problems with policy making are widespread and go well beyond early years.
Reposted by Sophie Metcalfe
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!
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 11:19 AM
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/...
Reposted by Sophie Metcalfe
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 Sophie Metcalfe
The child poverty strategy represents a concrete shift to prevention, but as always, the devil is in the detail.
@sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social and I go into that detail in our new comment:
- On coordinating multiple departments
- Ensuring local partners have the right support
- Monitoring progress
@sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social and I go into that detail in our new comment:
- On coordinating multiple departments
- Ensuring local partners have the right support
- Monitoring progress
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 12, 2025 at 5:20 PM
The child poverty strategy represents a concrete shift to prevention, but as always, the devil is in the detail.
@sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social and I go into that detail in our new comment:
- On coordinating multiple departments
- Ensuring local partners have the right support
- Monitoring progress
@sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social and I go into that detail in our new comment:
- On coordinating multiple departments
- Ensuring local partners have the right support
- Monitoring progress
NEW IfG verdict on the child poverty strategy from me and @amberdellar.bsky.social
A critical package for the govt, but it needs:
- stronger powers/accountability in DWP to lead it
- much more robust support for LAs
- earlier monitoring/evaluation
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/chil...
A critical package for the govt, but it needs:
- stronger powers/accountability in DWP to lead it
- much more robust support for LAs
- earlier monitoring/evaluation
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 12, 2025 at 5:21 PM
NEW IfG verdict on the child poverty strategy from me and @amberdellar.bsky.social
A critical package for the govt, but it needs:
- stronger powers/accountability in DWP to lead it
- much more robust support for LAs
- earlier monitoring/evaluation
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/chil...
A critical package for the govt, but it needs:
- stronger powers/accountability in DWP to lead it
- much more robust support for LAs
- earlier monitoring/evaluation
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/chil...
Reposted by Sophie Metcalfe
I wrote for @theobserveruk.bsky.social on the special needs problem highlighted by the budget and the big political battle over it coming next year.
share.google/kTTENR1gX4Y4...
share.google/kTTENR1gX4Y4...
Labour’s holiday homework: solve the problem of special needs education | The Observer
share.google
November 30, 2025 at 8:50 AM
I wrote for @theobserveruk.bsky.social on the special needs problem highlighted by the budget and the big political battle over it coming next year.
share.google/kTTENR1gX4Y4...
share.google/kTTENR1gX4Y4...
Reposted by Sophie Metcalfe
In a new departure, we @instituteforgovernment.org.uk are going to be live blogging the Budget all through tomorrow. The live blog is now live and we will be sharing our pre-Budget thoughts there, followed by responses once we hear the CX's speech www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/au...
LIVE BLOG | Autumn budget 2025: Rachel Reeves prepares to announce tax measures | Institute for Government
IfG experts analyse Reeves' budget and explore what the chancellor's plans for the economy, tax and spending mean.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 25, 2025 at 3:36 PM
In a new departure, we @instituteforgovernment.org.uk are going to be live blogging the Budget all through tomorrow. The live blog is now live and we will be sharing our pre-Budget thoughts there, followed by responses once we hear the CX's speech www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/au...
Reposted by Sophie Metcalfe
Very excited to see my PhD research referenced in this @newstatesman1913.bsky.social piece
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Rachel Reeves is trapped by history
Like every chancellor since the Thatcher era, Reeves is refusing to look the public in the eye
www.newstatesman.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Very excited to see my PhD research referenced in this @newstatesman1913.bsky.social piece
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-...
Reposted by Sophie Metcalfe
NEW REPORT | The opportunity gap facing boys from low-income families at age 5 and beyond
Early attainment gaps mean some boys don't just start behind, they stay behind. @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social @nehaldavison.bsky.social
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Early attainment gaps mean some boys don't just start behind, they stay behind. @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social @nehaldavison.bsky.social
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
The opportunity gap facing boys from low-income families at age 5 and beyond | Institute for Government
Early attainment gaps mean some boys don't just start behind, they stay behind.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 11:16 AM
NEW REPORT | The opportunity gap facing boys from low-income families at age 5 and beyond
Early attainment gaps mean some boys don't just start behind, they stay behind. @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social @nehaldavison.bsky.social
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Early attainment gaps mean some boys don't just start behind, they stay behind. @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social @nehaldavison.bsky.social
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Reposted by Sophie Metcalfe
As the covid inquiry gears up for Module 9 on economic policy, @gemmatetlow.bsky.social and I have a new @ukri.org-funded @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report out on Epi-econ modelling for pandemics. We set out why govt needs to invest now 1/🧵
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Combined epidemiological and economic modelling | Institute for Government
The pandemic showed the need for government to improve its use of modelling.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 9:38 AM
As the covid inquiry gears up for Module 9 on economic policy, @gemmatetlow.bsky.social and I have a new @ukri.org-funded @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report out on Epi-econ modelling for pandemics. We set out why govt needs to invest now 1/🧵
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Reposted by Sophie Metcalfe
Very important new report from @instituteforgovernment.org.uk highlighting the challenges facing boys from low-income families.
The research unpacks the reasons why they fall so far behind, and reiterates the need for action to tackle gaps in outcomes for this group ⤵️
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
The research unpacks the reasons why they fall so far behind, and reiterates the need for action to tackle gaps in outcomes for this group ⤵️
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Focus on disadvantaged boys to hit school-ready target, DfE told
Successive governments have failed to tackle entrenched inequalities in early years outcomes for boys from low-income backgrounds, IfG report warns
www.tes.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Very important new report from @instituteforgovernment.org.uk highlighting the challenges facing boys from low-income families.
The research unpacks the reasons why they fall so far behind, and reiterates the need for action to tackle gaps in outcomes for this group ⤵️
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
The research unpacks the reasons why they fall so far behind, and reiterates the need for action to tackle gaps in outcomes for this group ⤵️
www.tes.com/magazine/new...
Reposted by Sophie Metcalfe
Some disastrous numbers in this new IfG report. Less than half - half - of boys eligible for free school meals meet basic standards of early-years development.
November 20, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Some disastrous numbers in this new IfG report. Less than half - half - of boys eligible for free school meals meet basic standards of early-years development.
Reposted by Sophie Metcalfe
Fascinating new report from my colleagues on how boys from low-income families are let down
NEW: Report from me and @nehaldavison.bsky.social on how and why boys from low-income families get left behind in their early years
🧵⬇️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
🧵⬇️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
The opportunity gap facing boys from low-income families at age 5 and beyond | Institute for Government
Early attainment gaps mean some boys don't just start behind, they stay behind.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 20, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Fascinating new report from my colleagues on how boys from low-income families are let down
Reposted by Sophie Metcalfe
Really excited to share this new report today by me & @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social on the opportunity gap facing boys from low-income families at age 5 and beyond.
Key findings 👇
Key findings 👇
NEW: Report from me and @nehaldavison.bsky.social on how and why boys from low-income families get left behind in their early years
🧵⬇️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
🧵⬇️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
The opportunity gap facing boys from low-income families at age 5 and beyond | Institute for Government
Early attainment gaps mean some boys don't just start behind, they stay behind.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 20, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Really excited to share this new report today by me & @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social on the opportunity gap facing boys from low-income families at age 5 and beyond.
Key findings 👇
Key findings 👇
NEW: Report from me and @nehaldavison.bsky.social on how and why boys from low-income families get left behind in their early years
🧵⬇️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
🧵⬇️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
The opportunity gap facing boys from low-income families at age 5 and beyond | Institute for Government
Early attainment gaps mean some boys don't just start behind, they stay behind.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 20, 2025 at 7:41 AM
NEW: Report from me and @nehaldavison.bsky.social on how and why boys from low-income families get left behind in their early years
🧵⬇️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
🧵⬇️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Reposted by Sophie Metcalfe
Detail here on today's planning reforms:
1) Default permission for new homes "within reasonable walking distance" of train station, even on greenbelt
2) Government intervention if councils plan to refuse large sites
3) Review of statutory consultees
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
1) Default permission for new homes "within reasonable walking distance" of train station, even on greenbelt
2) Government intervention if councils plan to refuse large sites
3) Review of statutory consultees
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
Information from UK Parliament on written questions & answers, written statements and daily reports.
questions-statements.parliament.uk
November 18, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Detail here on today's planning reforms:
1) Default permission for new homes "within reasonable walking distance" of train station, even on greenbelt
2) Government intervention if councils plan to refuse large sites
3) Review of statutory consultees
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
1) Default permission for new homes "within reasonable walking distance" of train station, even on greenbelt
2) Government intervention if councils plan to refuse large sites
3) Review of statutory consultees
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
Reposted by Sophie Metcalfe
This is a tragic, beautiful piece that highlights the brutal reality of life for many repeat offenders.
When I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his life might turn around. I was tragically wrong
The long read: I knew he was running away from something. It wasn’t until many years later that I discovered the truth
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:32 PM
This is a tragic, beautiful piece that highlights the brutal reality of life for many repeat offenders.
Reposted by Sophie Metcalfe
Reform-led Worcestershire County Council (WCC) have published a briefing about their financial position, explaining why they might have to raise council tax by 10%
It's a pretty perfect encapsulation of the extreme financial pressures facing most local authorities
Key points 👇
It's a pretty perfect encapsulation of the extreme financial pressures facing most local authorities
Key points 👇
October 24, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Reform-led Worcestershire County Council (WCC) have published a briefing about their financial position, explaining why they might have to raise council tax by 10%
It's a pretty perfect encapsulation of the extreme financial pressures facing most local authorities
Key points 👇
It's a pretty perfect encapsulation of the extreme financial pressures facing most local authorities
Key points 👇
Reposted by Sophie Metcalfe
Some - cautious - good news on the govt’s civil service gagging rules
Nick Thomas-Symonds has written to us rowing back on the worst aspects: “it is important for civil servants to speak in public about matters for which they have responsibility”
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/welc...
Nick Thomas-Symonds has written to us rowing back on the worst aspects: “it is important for civil servants to speak in public about matters for which they have responsibility”
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/welc...
A welcome clarification on the rules ‘gagging’ civil servants | Institute for Government
New guidance on civil servants speaking in public is a welcome return to common sense.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 23, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Some - cautious - good news on the govt’s civil service gagging rules
Nick Thomas-Symonds has written to us rowing back on the worst aspects: “it is important for civil servants to speak in public about matters for which they have responsibility”
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/welc...
Nick Thomas-Symonds has written to us rowing back on the worst aspects: “it is important for civil servants to speak in public about matters for which they have responsibility”
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/welc...
Reposted by Sophie Metcalfe
We've had a few surprising moves in this reshuffle so far - one of the big ones is Shabana Mahmood becoming home secretary. On our liveblog I've given a bit of an overview of what she'll face coming in:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/st...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/st...
Starmer government reshuffle: PM changes top team after Rayner's exit | Institute for Government
The IfG team analyse the moves as Keir Starmer reshapes his Cabinet.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
September 5, 2025 at 4:06 PM
We've had a few surprising moves in this reshuffle so far - one of the big ones is Shabana Mahmood becoming home secretary. On our liveblog I've given a bit of an overview of what she'll face coming in:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/st...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/st...
New blog from @nehaldavison.bsky.social and I reflecting on the Best Start in Life strategy.
Interesting to see the govt signal it wants a bigger role in shaping the childcare market - there's a strong case for it, but it will be hard to do well and local areas will need the right support.
Interesting to see the govt signal it wants a bigger role in shaping the childcare market - there's a strong case for it, but it will be hard to do well and local areas will need the right support.
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 1:09 PM
New blog from @nehaldavison.bsky.social and I reflecting on the Best Start in Life strategy.
Interesting to see the govt signal it wants a bigger role in shaping the childcare market - there's a strong case for it, but it will be hard to do well and local areas will need the right support.
Interesting to see the govt signal it wants a bigger role in shaping the childcare market - there's a strong case for it, but it will be hard to do well and local areas will need the right support.
A mixed picture for the 'best start in life' strand of the Opportunities Mission in the SR today.
Welcome news on investment in schools, but early years provision for 0-4yrs is comparably absent - surprising given the PfC milestone commitment for 75% of 5-yr-olds to be school ready by 2028.
Welcome news on investment in schools, but early years provision for 0-4yrs is comparably absent - surprising given the PfC milestone commitment for 75% of 5-yr-olds to be school ready by 2028.
June 11, 2025 at 2:42 PM
A mixed picture for the 'best start in life' strand of the Opportunities Mission in the SR today.
Welcome news on investment in schools, but early years provision for 0-4yrs is comparably absent - surprising given the PfC milestone commitment for 75% of 5-yr-olds to be school ready by 2028.
Welcome news on investment in schools, but early years provision for 0-4yrs is comparably absent - surprising given the PfC milestone commitment for 75% of 5-yr-olds to be school ready by 2028.
Reposted by Sophie Metcalfe
Are you a commercially minded communicator with a passion for public policy? We are looking for a Senior Partnerships Officer to join our team.
Applications are open until Sunday 8 June - find out more www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/about-us/car...
Applications are open until Sunday 8 June - find out more www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/about-us/car...
May 23, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Are you a commercially minded communicator with a passion for public policy? We are looking for a Senior Partnerships Officer to join our team.
Applications are open until Sunday 8 June - find out more www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/about-us/car...
Applications are open until Sunday 8 June - find out more www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/about-us/car...
It's been brilliant talking to lots of early years experts for this series - many thanks to everyone who kindly gave us their time.
Excited to set out our plans for continuing this work here, with a particular focus on closing the early years opportunity gap for boys eligible for free school meals.
Excited to set out our plans for continuing this work here, with a particular focus on closing the early years opportunity gap for boys eligible for free school meals.
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 9:47 AM
It's been brilliant talking to lots of early years experts for this series - many thanks to everyone who kindly gave us their time.
Excited to set out our plans for continuing this work here, with a particular focus on closing the early years opportunity gap for boys eligible for free school meals.
Excited to set out our plans for continuing this work here, with a particular focus on closing the early years opportunity gap for boys eligible for free school meals.