Steve Skelton
@steve1skelton.bsky.social
Practitioner policy wonk | Founder www.questionfactory.co.uk | Trustee @mysociety | Ex- Demos, LGA, Stockport Council, GMCA, Govt of Jersey, LCRCA
Reposted by Steve Skelton
The absolute bloody vandalism of austerity in one chart. Good analysis of the overall picture here.
October 15, 2025 at 6:48 PM
The absolute bloody vandalism of austerity in one chart. Good analysis of the overall picture here.
Reposted by Steve Skelton
As we rethink and reimagine how local government is shaped for future generations, @steve1skelton.bsky.social looks at the evolution of strategic authorities.
buff.ly/PSFIRAa
#EnglishDevolutionBill
buff.ly/PSFIRAa
#EnglishDevolutionBill
Designing Strategic Authorities: culture, capability and a compelling Story - New Local
Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) have never truly been designed; they’ve evolved. Greater Manchester — the starter culture for all MCAs — looked like a reasonably recognisable set of shared…
buff.ly
August 6, 2025 at 7:24 AM
As we rethink and reimagine how local government is shaped for future generations, @steve1skelton.bsky.social looks at the evolution of strategic authorities.
buff.ly/PSFIRAa
#EnglishDevolutionBill
buff.ly/PSFIRAa
#EnglishDevolutionBill
Lovely to share thoughts with our friends @wearenewlocal.bsky.social
As ever with QF this is practice driven insight that works in the real world.
If you're developing an MCA, trying to make one work or want to drive your established authority even further, get in touch www.questionfactory.co.uk
As ever with QF this is practice driven insight that works in the real world.
If you're developing an MCA, trying to make one work or want to drive your established authority even further, get in touch www.questionfactory.co.uk
As we rethink and reimagine how local government is shaped for future generations, @steve1skelton.bsky.social Skelton looks at the evolution of strategic authorities
www.newlocal.org.uk/articles/des...
#EnglishDevolutionBill
www.newlocal.org.uk/articles/des...
#EnglishDevolutionBill
Designing Strategic Authorities: culture, capability and a compelling Story - New Local
Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) have never truly been designed; they’ve evolved. Greater Manchester — the starter culture for all MCAs — looked like a reasonably recognisable set of shared functio...
www.newlocal.org.uk
July 23, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Lovely to share thoughts with our friends @wearenewlocal.bsky.social
As ever with QF this is practice driven insight that works in the real world.
If you're developing an MCA, trying to make one work or want to drive your established authority even further, get in touch www.questionfactory.co.uk
As ever with QF this is practice driven insight that works in the real world.
If you're developing an MCA, trying to make one work or want to drive your established authority even further, get in touch www.questionfactory.co.uk
Reposted by Steve Skelton
Sodium-iron batteries at grid scale: 200MW/400MWh, enough to "regulate up to 580 GWh annually."
"The facility supports more than 30 local wind and solar power stations, alleviating the impact of intermittent supply and facilitating the integration of high shares of renewables into the grid."
😍
"The facility supports more than 30 local wind and solar power stations, alleviating the impact of intermittent supply and facilitating the integration of high shares of renewables into the grid."
😍
China launches world’s first grid-forming sodium-ion battery storage plant
The Baochi Storage Station in Yunnan integrates lithium and sodium-ion technologies at scale, a global first, aiming to stabilize renewable energy and cut costs as China accelerates its energy transit...
www.pv-magazine.com
July 2, 2025 at 5:24 AM
Sodium-iron batteries at grid scale: 200MW/400MWh, enough to "regulate up to 580 GWh annually."
"The facility supports more than 30 local wind and solar power stations, alleviating the impact of intermittent supply and facilitating the integration of high shares of renewables into the grid."
😍
"The facility supports more than 30 local wind and solar power stations, alleviating the impact of intermittent supply and facilitating the integration of high shares of renewables into the grid."
😍
Some thoughts on the 10 year Infrastructure Strategy being developed alongside the CSR.
Includes the role MCAs could play to develop pipelines of social and public service infrastructure investments, and maybe even hold #totalplace style capital budgets.
www.linkedin.com/posts/steve-...
Includes the role MCAs could play to develop pipelines of social and public service infrastructure investments, and maybe even hold #totalplace style capital budgets.
www.linkedin.com/posts/steve-...
Steve Skelton on LinkedIn: 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy Working Paper
An important HMT working paper here, setting out thinking on how the 10 year Infrastructure Strategy, which is due out alongside the CSR in June, might…
www.linkedin.com
January 27, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Some thoughts on the 10 year Infrastructure Strategy being developed alongside the CSR.
Includes the role MCAs could play to develop pipelines of social and public service infrastructure investments, and maybe even hold #totalplace style capital budgets.
www.linkedin.com/posts/steve-...
Includes the role MCAs could play to develop pipelines of social and public service infrastructure investments, and maybe even hold #totalplace style capital budgets.
www.linkedin.com/posts/steve-...
Seems to be some genuine interest in DOGE from UK public service reform types.
I can see no chance of genuine efficiencies coming from any organisation that runs its internal governance in this way.
I can see no chance of genuine efficiencies coming from any organisation that runs its internal governance in this way.
January 25, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Seems to be some genuine interest in DOGE from UK public service reform types.
I can see no chance of genuine efficiencies coming from any organisation that runs its internal governance in this way.
I can see no chance of genuine efficiencies coming from any organisation that runs its internal governance in this way.
Anyone else had this?
Wierd bot account reposted all my posts.
When I click on the handle its a clone of my account?
Very odd...
Wierd bot account reposted all my posts.
When I click on the handle its a clone of my account?
Very odd...
January 13, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Anyone else had this?
Wierd bot account reposted all my posts.
When I click on the handle its a clone of my account?
Very odd...
Wierd bot account reposted all my posts.
When I click on the handle its a clone of my account?
Very odd...
Lovely to be introduced to @72prufrocks.bsky.social and to talk about ideas for #notwestminster discussion sessions.
Planning to get deep into the question of how we reduce the barriers to participatory policy making, and how we take it mainstream.
notinwestminster.wordpress.com
Planning to get deep into the question of how we reduce the barriers to participatory policy making, and how we take it mainstream.
notinwestminster.wordpress.com
We are #Notwestminster
For everyone who has something positive to say about local democracy & anyone who is up for the challenge of making it better
notinwestminster.wordpress.com
December 19, 2024 at 3:36 PM
Lovely to be introduced to @72prufrocks.bsky.social and to talk about ideas for #notwestminster discussion sessions.
Planning to get deep into the question of how we reduce the barriers to participatory policy making, and how we take it mainstream.
notinwestminster.wordpress.com
Planning to get deep into the question of how we reduce the barriers to participatory policy making, and how we take it mainstream.
notinwestminster.wordpress.com
Today's #devo WP heralds a new leadership craft that can weave together the previously distinct cultures and practices of:
☆ Govt Departments
☆ Local Government
☆ RDAs, and
☆ Government Offices
More here 👇
www.linkedin.com/posts/steve-...
☆ Govt Departments
☆ Local Government
☆ RDAs, and
☆ Government Offices
More here 👇
www.linkedin.com/posts/steve-...
Steve Skelton on LinkedIn: The shape and size of Mayoral Combined Authorities has always varied over…
The shape and size of Mayoral Combined Authorities has always varied over time in different places. it's one of the things that makes the design of CAs such an…
www.linkedin.com
December 16, 2024 at 6:10 PM
Today's #devo WP heralds a new leadership craft that can weave together the previously distinct cultures and practices of:
☆ Govt Departments
☆ Local Government
☆ RDAs, and
☆ Government Offices
More here 👇
www.linkedin.com/posts/steve-...
☆ Govt Departments
☆ Local Government
☆ RDAs, and
☆ Government Offices
More here 👇
www.linkedin.com/posts/steve-...
Friend of mine worked on this. Been waiting for it to be broadcast since I read your post.
Panorama, The Truth about Smart Meters: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0024yyc via @bbciplayer
Panorama, The Truth about Smart Meters: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0024yyc via @bbciplayer
November 11, 2024 at 8:48 PM
Friend of mine worked on this. Been waiting for it to be broadcast since I read your post.
Panorama, The Truth about Smart Meters: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0024yyc via @bbciplayer
Panorama, The Truth about Smart Meters: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0024yyc via @bbciplayer
Surely Bluesky is *all about* the niche
November 7, 2024 at 11:55 PM
Surely Bluesky is *all about* the niche
Strong agree.
The answer is to invest in the democratic centre that can amplify citizen voice, and has the legitimacy to challenge silo professions.
Otherwise it's just a bunch of managers in a room guarding their version of the truth.
The answer is to invest in the democratic centre that can amplify citizen voice, and has the legitimacy to challenge silo professions.
Otherwise it's just a bunch of managers in a room guarding their version of the truth.
Ok so you should go and read the new Demos report on the future of local government finance: demos.co.uk/research/bey...
Then you can go and read my blog on why I DO NOT LIKE.
medium.com/@SimonFParke...
Then you can go and read my blog on why I DO NOT LIKE.
medium.com/@SimonFParke...
Beyond the sticking plaster: A vision for long-term reform of local government finances
Demos is Britain’s leading cross-party think-tank. We produce original research, publish innovative thinkers and host thought-provoking events.
demos.co.uk
October 30, 2024 at 7:52 AM
Strong agree.
The answer is to invest in the democratic centre that can amplify citizen voice, and has the legitimacy to challenge silo professions.
Otherwise it's just a bunch of managers in a room guarding their version of the truth.
The answer is to invest in the democratic centre that can amplify citizen voice, and has the legitimacy to challenge silo professions.
Otherwise it's just a bunch of managers in a room guarding their version of the truth.
I like this idea. I've thought the same about noting team meetings and I also thought it should be built once by practitioners and shared. Feels like that's the only way it would actually *work*.
Normally when someone asks 'what are the use cases for AI?' I'm one of those annoying people who say 'that's the wrong question' (fix the plumbing first, etc.). But Ok, I have one. (Sharing this to see if people agree or will throw vegetables.)
Should we start Notetaker.gov.uk? 🧵
Should we start Notetaker.gov.uk? 🧵
October 24, 2024 at 1:30 PM
I like this idea. I've thought the same about noting team meetings and I also thought it should be built once by practitioners and shared. Feels like that's the only way it would actually *work*.
Re-posting for recent-influx followers.
Some thoughts on what it means as the design impetus for combined authorities shifts from local to central government.
Some thoughts on what it means as the design impetus for combined authorities shifts from local to central government.
Brilliant piece, love this framing around the role reversal of combined authorities- asks all the right questions about scale and impact we need to be considering at this point in devolution’s evolution…
Consensus on the value of mayoral devolution heralds a 2nd age of Combined Authorities
An innovation designed by councils to make sense of national govt...
...is increasingly being used by national govt to make sense of councils
Some thoughts on what this means here -
medium.com/@QuestionFy/...
An innovation designed by councils to make sense of national govt...
...is increasingly being used by national govt to make sense of councils
Some thoughts on what this means here -
medium.com/@QuestionFy/...
October 20, 2024 at 8:56 AM
Re-posting for recent-influx followers.
Some thoughts on what it means as the design impetus for combined authorities shifts from local to central government.
Some thoughts on what it means as the design impetus for combined authorities shifts from local to central government.
Consensus on the value of mayoral devolution heralds a 2nd age of Combined Authorities
An innovation designed by councils to make sense of national govt...
...is increasingly being used by national govt to make sense of councils
Some thoughts on what this means here -
medium.com/@QuestionFy/...
An innovation designed by councils to make sense of national govt...
...is increasingly being used by national govt to make sense of councils
Some thoughts on what this means here -
medium.com/@QuestionFy/...
Writing the future of combined authorities
Combined Authorities were designed by councils to make sense of national govt. Now national govt is using them to make sense of councils.
medium.com
October 17, 2024 at 8:27 AM
Consensus on the value of mayoral devolution heralds a 2nd age of Combined Authorities
An innovation designed by councils to make sense of national govt...
...is increasingly being used by national govt to make sense of councils
Some thoughts on what this means here -
medium.com/@QuestionFy/...
An innovation designed by councils to make sense of national govt...
...is increasingly being used by national govt to make sense of councils
Some thoughts on what this means here -
medium.com/@QuestionFy/...
Reposted by Steve Skelton
"We can't deliver growth if we don't reform public services"
That's what you get when you have a ministerial team from Oldham and Tameside.
👊
That's what you get when you have a ministerial team from Oldham and Tameside.
👊
September 22, 2024 at 6:17 PM
"We can't deliver growth if we don't reform public services"
That's what you get when you have a ministerial team from Oldham and Tameside.
👊
That's what you get when you have a ministerial team from Oldham and Tameside.
👊
A reminder that spending money to put data in the hands of front line practitioners, instead / as well as central analysts, is a legit strategy.
Failed to resist jumping into the debate about dashboards, nerve centres, and missions in government. Inspired by @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social and others
medium.com/@jamestplunk...
(I'm trying a new era of not posting this on Twitter at all, so grateful for RTs to help me hold out!)
medium.com/@jamestplunk...
(I'm trying a new era of not posting this on Twitter at all, so grateful for RTs to help me hold out!)
Dashboards or not
I’ve been mulling the question of whether or not we like dashboards, and how we should think about data in the context of missions.
medium.com
August 27, 2024 at 3:20 PM
A reminder that spending money to put data in the hands of front line practitioners, instead / as well as central analysts, is a legit strategy.
I know it's a festival, but I still think £6 for a can of AF beer is a notable socio-economic moment 👇
August 25, 2024 at 5:35 PM
I know it's a festival, but I still think £6 for a can of AF beer is a notable socio-economic moment 👇
This is why finding a way that combined authority CEOs can be Accounting Officers is necessary to make devolution real, and sustain it.
The work arounds to make single settlements work in the absence of AO status are not designed to scale.
The work arounds to make single settlements work in the absence of AO status are not designed to scale.
One thing I’m consistently astonished by in the endless attempts to reform British Government is the absence of any consideration of why the departmental structure is so embedded & why so called ‘silos’ exist.
There’s a long (boring) book in this for someone to write but for now a short 🧵1/
There’s a long (boring) book in this for someone to write but for now a short 🧵1/
There’s a lot in this - how Labour are going to run missions and via Treasury/Spending Review - how they are going to pay for them.
www.thetimes.com/article/737b...
www.thetimes.com/article/737b...
August 25, 2024 at 12:46 PM
This is why finding a way that combined authority CEOs can be Accounting Officers is necessary to make devolution real, and sustain it.
The work arounds to make single settlements work in the absence of AO status are not designed to scale.
The work arounds to make single settlements work in the absence of AO status are not designed to scale.
August 20, 2024 at 1:00 PM
Back from a no-phones family holiday to find 600+ followers here. Presumably not a result of the, er, single post I'd made in the two months previous.
Thanks to @jesstud.bsky.social @mysociety.bsky.social and anyone else that added me to a starter pack 🙏
Follower analysis suggests 3 groups 👇
Thanks to @jesstud.bsky.social @mysociety.bsky.social and anyone else that added me to a starter pack 🙏
Follower analysis suggests 3 groups 👇
August 18, 2024 at 6:00 PM
Back from a no-phones family holiday to find 600+ followers here. Presumably not a result of the, er, single post I'd made in the two months previous.
Thanks to @jesstud.bsky.social @mysociety.bsky.social and anyone else that added me to a starter pack 🙏
Follower analysis suggests 3 groups 👇
Thanks to @jesstud.bsky.social @mysociety.bsky.social and anyone else that added me to a starter pack 🙏
Follower analysis suggests 3 groups 👇
Reposted by Steve Skelton
Calling all folk with an interest in UK public policy: I’ve created a starter pack of think tankers, policy analysts & commentators active on @bsky.app go.bsky.app/LtNiL1o
August 14, 2024 at 2:46 PM
Calling all folk with an interest in UK public policy: I’ve created a starter pack of think tankers, policy analysts & commentators active on @bsky.app go.bsky.app/LtNiL1o
Thanks for the suggestion @rickogden.com - here's the mySociety starter pack: follow our staff and services with a single click go.bsky.app/JZpyiof
August 13, 2024 at 3:18 PM