Stuart Hoddinott
@stuarthoddinott.bsky.social
Associate Director in the public services team
@InstituteforGov. Interested in the NHS, adult social care, and local government. All views my own. He/him
@InstituteforGov. Interested in the NHS, adult social care, and local government. All views my own. He/him
Pinned
Performance Tracker 2025: Local government overview | Institute for Government
The government is making good progress towards rebalancing local government funding. But the sector shows signs of mounting financial distress.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
NEW REPORT: Local authorities have been struggling with pressures from austeirty for years, but there are signs that pressure is now particularly acute
As a result, they are having to make tough decisions about finances and services
🧵👇 on findings
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
As a result, they are having to make tough decisions about finances and services
🧵👇 on findings
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
Story from @cjayanetti.bsky.social
Reform’s North Northamptonshire Council is planning to double council tax on second homes 6 months after Farage denounced such policies as “madness” and “extortion”
Another example of friction bw local and national policy
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reform’s North Northamptonshire Council is planning to double council tax on second homes 6 months after Farage denounced such policies as “madness” and “extortion”
Another example of friction bw local and national policy
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reform Council To Double Tax On Second Homes Despite Nigel Farage Calling The Idea 'Madness'
A Reform-led council is planning to double council tax on second homes six months after party leader Nigel Farage denounced such policies as “madne...
www.politicshome.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Story from @cjayanetti.bsky.social
Reform’s North Northamptonshire Council is planning to double council tax on second homes 6 months after Farage denounced such policies as “madness” and “extortion”
Another example of friction bw local and national policy
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reform’s North Northamptonshire Council is planning to double council tax on second homes 6 months after Farage denounced such policies as “madness” and “extortion”
Another example of friction bw local and national policy
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
Labour MPs warn council tax is “driving poverty” as analysis shows some of the most deprived areas are paying the highest rates
The analysis revealed a strong relationship: the more deprived a local authority, the higher its CT as a percentage of house prices
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
The analysis revealed a strong relationship: the more deprived a local authority, the higher its CT as a percentage of house prices
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
www.politicshome.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Labour MPs warn council tax is “driving poverty” as analysis shows some of the most deprived areas are paying the highest rates
The analysis revealed a strong relationship: the more deprived a local authority, the higher its CT as a percentage of house prices
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
The analysis revealed a strong relationship: the more deprived a local authority, the higher its CT as a percentage of house prices
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
NEW from me on why changes to public sector pensions should be on the table. But politicians must say how they'll cover big upfront costs, and focus on how remuneration can best support the workforce needed to improve public services - not on cuts
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/publ...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/publ...
Public sector pensions reforms should focus on workforce recruitment and retention | Institute for Government
There is a strong case for looking at reforms to public sector pensions.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 6, 2025 at 3:55 PM
NEW from me on why changes to public sector pensions should be on the table. But politicians must say how they'll cover big upfront costs, and focus on how remuneration can best support the workforce needed to improve public services - not on cuts
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/publ...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/publ...
For context, we’re only 13% of the way between this year’s election and the election in 2029
It looks like Reform has lost *another* councillor at Kent County Council.
Isabella Kemp now sits as an Independent, according to the council website.
Means that Kent has lost ***16%*** of its Reform councillors since May👀
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Isabella Kemp now sits as an Independent, according to the council website.
Means that Kent has lost ***16%*** of its Reform councillors since May👀
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reform Is Losing Councillors Elected In May At An 'Unusual' Rate
Reform UK has lost more than 5 per cent of the councillors it had elected six months ago, an analysis by PoliticsHome has found.
www.politicshome.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:14 AM
For context, we’re only 13% of the way between this year’s election and the election in 2029
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
It looks like Reform has lost *another* councillor at Kent County Council.
Isabella Kemp now sits as an Independent, according to the council website.
Means that Kent has lost ***16%*** of its Reform councillors since May👀
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Isabella Kemp now sits as an Independent, according to the council website.
Means that Kent has lost ***16%*** of its Reform councillors since May👀
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reform Is Losing Councillors Elected In May At An 'Unusual' Rate
Reform UK has lost more than 5 per cent of the councillors it had elected six months ago, an analysis by PoliticsHome has found.
www.politicshome.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:39 AM
It looks like Reform has lost *another* councillor at Kent County Council.
Isabella Kemp now sits as an Independent, according to the council website.
Means that Kent has lost ***16%*** of its Reform councillors since May👀
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Isabella Kemp now sits as an Independent, according to the council website.
Means that Kent has lost ***16%*** of its Reform councillors since May👀
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
NEW REPORT Labour is struggling to meet its education priorities. It has big ambitions to improve schools, but a budget that falls short of matching them. And with no clear plans to reform the SEND system or tackle workforce shortages, children are being left without the support they need.
Performance Tracker 2025: Schools | Institute for Government
It will be extremely difficult for the government to meet its education priorities within the budget it has set for the coming parliament.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 6, 2025 at 9:57 AM
NEW REPORT Labour is struggling to meet its education priorities. It has big ambitions to improve schools, but a budget that falls short of matching them. And with no clear plans to reform the SEND system or tackle workforce shortages, children are being left without the support they need.
Good to be quoted in this piece
Reform's promises to cut council spending were always unrealistic and showed no understanding of what local government does or how it's funded
The fact that they now can only point to tiny savings, shows how little they've achieved
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reform's promises to cut council spending were always unrealistic and showed no understanding of what local government does or how it's funded
The fact that they now can only point to tiny savings, shows how little they've achieved
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
What a UK government led by Reform would really look like
What the party's first six months at the helm at local level shows about how they govern - and whether they can keep their promises
www.bbc.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Good to be quoted in this piece
Reform's promises to cut council spending were always unrealistic and showed no understanding of what local government does or how it's funded
The fact that they now can only point to tiny savings, shows how little they've achieved
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reform's promises to cut council spending were always unrealistic and showed no understanding of what local government does or how it's funded
The fact that they now can only point to tiny savings, shows how little they've achieved
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
Rachel Reeves has pledged to do what is necessary to protect public services "from a return to austerity".
So how are public services performing? The first instalments of Performance Tracker 2025 explore local govt services and criminal justice www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
So how are public services performing? The first instalments of Performance Tracker 2025 explore local govt services and criminal justice www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Public Services Performance Tracker 2025 | Institute for Government
Labour’s public service plans are less than the sum of their parts.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 4, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Rachel Reeves has pledged to do what is necessary to protect public services "from a return to austerity".
So how are public services performing? The first instalments of Performance Tracker 2025 explore local govt services and criminal justice www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
So how are public services performing? The first instalments of Performance Tracker 2025 explore local govt services and criminal justice www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
Reform has lost 1 in 20 (5%) of the 677 councillors it gained in May elections
In Kent alone, it has lost 14% of its councillors...
-11 have been expelled
-6 suspended
-9 have left the party
-1 has defected to UKIP
-9 have resigned from the council altogether
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
In Kent alone, it has lost 14% of its councillors...
-11 have been expelled
-6 suspended
-9 have left the party
-1 has defected to UKIP
-9 have resigned from the council altogether
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reform Is Losing Councillors Elected In May At An 'Unusual' Rate
Reform UK has lost more than 5 per cent of the councillors it had elected six months ago, an analysis by PoliticsHome has found.
www.politicshome.com
November 1, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Reform has lost 1 in 20 (5%) of the 677 councillors it gained in May elections
In Kent alone, it has lost 14% of its councillors...
-11 have been expelled
-6 suspended
-9 have left the party
-1 has defected to UKIP
-9 have resigned from the council altogether
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
In Kent alone, it has lost 14% of its councillors...
-11 have been expelled
-6 suspended
-9 have left the party
-1 has defected to UKIP
-9 have resigned from the council altogether
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
Reform UK councils (& their cllrs) have been in the news a lot in recent weeks. But what is happening more widely?
My analysis @politicshome.bsky.social has found Reform has lost more than 5% of the cllrs it elected just 6 months ago
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
My analysis @politicshome.bsky.social has found Reform has lost more than 5% of the cllrs it elected just 6 months ago
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reform Is Losing Councillors Elected In May At An 'Unusual' Rate
Reform UK has lost more than 5 per cent of the councillors it had elected six months ago, an analysis by PoliticsHome has found.
www.politicshome.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Reform UK councils (& their cllrs) have been in the news a lot in recent weeks. But what is happening more widely?
My analysis @politicshome.bsky.social has found Reform has lost more than 5% of the cllrs it elected just 6 months ago
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
My analysis @politicshome.bsky.social has found Reform has lost more than 5% of the cllrs it elected just 6 months ago
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Can't pass judgement on most of this, but the estimated savings in the NHS of £11bn are incredibly dubious and the proposed shift to a social insurance model is an infuriating zombie idea that is not supported by evidence
Some thoughts on the NHS proposals in this paper...
Some thoughts on the NHS proposals in this paper...
I keep being told spending cuts are easy. Honest proposals such as those recently outlined by Policy Exchange show they are not
My column www.ft.com/content/f086...
My column www.ft.com/content/f086...
October 30, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Can't pass judgement on most of this, but the estimated savings in the NHS of £11bn are incredibly dubious and the proposed shift to a social insurance model is an infuriating zombie idea that is not supported by evidence
Some thoughts on the NHS proposals in this paper...
Some thoughts on the NHS proposals in this paper...
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
I absolute love the idea of a 'Medium Term Planning Framework' being the most ambitous anything. Really hope they try to better this with 'Short Term Guidance Note puts Beveridge in the shade'
Quite a bold claim from the NHS, given that it published its 10 year health plan just a few months ago
October 30, 2025 at 8:34 AM
I absolute love the idea of a 'Medium Term Planning Framework' being the most ambitous anything. Really hope they try to better this with 'Short Term Guidance Note puts Beveridge in the shade'
Quite a bold claim from the NHS, given that it published its 10 year health plan just a few months ago
October 30, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Quite a bold claim from the NHS, given that it published its 10 year health plan just a few months ago
Shropshire council says they need "urgent exceptional financial support" to avoid going "bust" this year
That would make a record 29 councils needing emergency funding this year
www.lgcplus.com/finance/unit...
That would make a record 29 councils needing emergency funding this year
www.lgcplus.com/finance/unit...
Overspending unitary seeks urgent EFS
Shropshire Council's projected overspend has grown to £50m and the unitary said it needs exceptional financial support in this financial year to avoid
www.lgcplus.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Shropshire council says they need "urgent exceptional financial support" to avoid going "bust" this year
That would make a record 29 councils needing emergency funding this year
www.lgcplus.com/finance/unit...
That would make a record 29 councils needing emergency funding this year
www.lgcplus.com/finance/unit...
There's been a question about what happens to debt when district councils and county councils merge
Looks like Woking will have £500m of its debt written off
Still means a lot of debt will go to the new council: Woking had £2.2bn in March this year
www.themj.co.uk/woking-500m-...
Looks like Woking will have £500m of its debt written off
Still means a lot of debt will go to the new council: Woking had £2.2bn in March this year
www.themj.co.uk/woking-500m-...
Woking to get £500m bailout as Surrey split in two
Reorganisation frontrunner Surrey will have its 12 councils replaced by two unitaries, with £500m of Woking BC's debts written off, The MJ understands.
The bailout...
www.themj.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 12:27 PM
There's been a question about what happens to debt when district councils and county councils merge
Looks like Woking will have £500m of its debt written off
Still means a lot of debt will go to the new council: Woking had £2.2bn in March this year
www.themj.co.uk/woking-500m-...
Looks like Woking will have £500m of its debt written off
Still means a lot of debt will go to the new council: Woking had £2.2bn in March this year
www.themj.co.uk/woking-500m-...
Streeting wants integrated care boards (ICBs) to cut staff by half, but hasn't given them enough money to do so
"many ICBs have called off redundancy programmes because they cannot meet the costs without overspending [their] budgets"
Such a well planned process
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
"many ICBs have called off redundancy programmes because they cannot meet the costs without overspending [their] budgets"
Such a well planned process
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Labour’s NHS job cuts plan in chaos amid row over £1bn costs
Integrated care boards in England cannot afford severance payments, leaving restructuring plan in chaos, union says
www.theguardian.com
October 28, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Streeting wants integrated care boards (ICBs) to cut staff by half, but hasn't given them enough money to do so
"many ICBs have called off redundancy programmes because they cannot meet the costs without overspending [their] budgets"
Such a well planned process
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
"many ICBs have called off redundancy programmes because they cannot meet the costs without overspending [their] budgets"
Such a well planned process
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
New @instituteforgovernment.org.uk comment from me
The chaos surrounding the grooming gangs inquiry last week highlights much deeper problems with the way the government sets up public inquiries
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/groo...
The chaos surrounding the grooming gangs inquiry last week highlights much deeper problems with the way the government sets up public inquiries
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/groo...
The government must explain and defend its grooming gang inquiry decisions | Institute for Government
Some disagreement when setting up an inquiry isn’t necessarily bad – but how it is handled matters.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 27, 2025 at 5:26 PM
New @instituteforgovernment.org.uk comment from me
The chaos surrounding the grooming gangs inquiry last week highlights much deeper problems with the way the government sets up public inquiries
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/groo...
The chaos surrounding the grooming gangs inquiry last week highlights much deeper problems with the way the government sets up public inquiries
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/groo...
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 👇
Reform can change the change the head of "DOGE" as many times as they want, they still won't be able to deliver the savings they promised residents
www.lgcplus.com/finance/head...
www.lgcplus.com/finance/head...
Head of Doge changes for third time
Change in leadership at Doge for the third time
www.lgcplus.com
October 23, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Reform can change the change the head of "DOGE" as many times as they want, they still won't be able to deliver the savings they promised residents
www.lgcplus.com/finance/head...
www.lgcplus.com/finance/head...
NEW REPORT: adult social care is putting immense pressure on local authorities' budgets, but there's no real evidence of improved access
Since 2016/17, spending on long-term care: ⬆️25%
People receiving LT care: ⬆️1%
What's going on?
Findings from our new report on adult social care🧵👇
Since 2016/17, spending on long-term care: ⬆️25%
People receiving LT care: ⬆️1%
What's going on?
Findings from our new report on adult social care🧵👇
October 21, 2025 at 8:38 AM
NEW REPORT: adult social care is putting immense pressure on local authorities' budgets, but there's no real evidence of improved access
Since 2016/17, spending on long-term care: ⬆️25%
People receiving LT care: ⬆️1%
What's going on?
Findings from our new report on adult social care🧵👇
Since 2016/17, spending on long-term care: ⬆️25%
People receiving LT care: ⬆️1%
What's going on?
Findings from our new report on adult social care🧵👇
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
... government is making good progress on difficult policy areas in local government... all welcome attempts to tackle tricky problems which, in many cases, the last government avoided. But there is a real risk that the median voter will never feel any benefit from these reforms...
#r4today
#r4today
NEW COMMENT: Alarm bells are ringing in local govt and a rising proportion of spending goes on very few services
That should worry Labour. Rising council tax and worsening service performance fosters the sense that govt wastes money
More from me 👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/fail...
That should worry Labour. Rising council tax and worsening service performance fosters the sense that govt wastes money
More from me 👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/fail...
Failing to fix local government could hurt Labour’s re-election chances | Institute for Government
There are signs of severe financial distress in local government.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 20, 2025 at 10:26 AM
... government is making good progress on difficult policy areas in local government... all welcome attempts to tackle tricky problems which, in many cases, the last government avoided. But there is a real risk that the median voter will never feel any benefit from these reforms...
#r4today
#r4today
NEW COMMENT: Alarm bells are ringing in local govt and a rising proportion of spending goes on very few services
That should worry Labour. Rising council tax and worsening service performance fosters the sense that govt wastes money
More from me 👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/fail...
That should worry Labour. Rising council tax and worsening service performance fosters the sense that govt wastes money
More from me 👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/fail...
Failing to fix local government could hurt Labour’s re-election chances | Institute for Government
There are signs of severe financial distress in local government.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 20, 2025 at 10:09 AM
NEW COMMENT: Alarm bells are ringing in local govt and a rising proportion of spending goes on very few services
That should worry Labour. Rising council tax and worsening service performance fosters the sense that govt wastes money
More from me 👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/fail...
That should worry Labour. Rising council tax and worsening service performance fosters the sense that govt wastes money
More from me 👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/fail...
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
This is a fantastic, in-depth look at how local authorities are performing, and the impact of austerity on local public services.
One thing particularly stood out to me from the report - the benefit of stable, long-term political leadership in local authorities for maintaining performance...
One thing particularly stood out to me from the report - the benefit of stable, long-term political leadership in local authorities for maintaining performance...
NEW REPORT: Local authorities have been struggling with pressures from austeirty for years, but there are signs that pressure is now particularly acute
As a result, they are having to make tough decisions about finances and services
🧵👇 on findings
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
As a result, they are having to make tough decisions about finances and services
🧵👇 on findings
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Performance Tracker 2025: Local government overview | Institute for Government
The government is making good progress towards rebalancing local government funding. But the sector shows signs of mounting financial distress.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 17, 2025 at 9:28 AM
This is a fantastic, in-depth look at how local authorities are performing, and the impact of austerity on local public services.
One thing particularly stood out to me from the report - the benefit of stable, long-term political leadership in local authorities for maintaining performance...
One thing particularly stood out to me from the report - the benefit of stable, long-term political leadership in local authorities for maintaining performance...
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
All very amusing, but especially this:
"The most popular was an “Australian-style points-based immigration system,” with a net 46 percent support. The least popular was “Britain’s current immigration policy,” with -39 percent support."
www.politico.eu/article/labo...
"The most popular was an “Australian-style points-based immigration system,” with a net 46 percent support. The least popular was “Britain’s current immigration policy,” with -39 percent support."
www.politico.eu/article/labo...
Brits are pining for the pre-Brexit migration system
The idea was that leaving the bloc would give the U.K. back “control” of its borders and create a fairer system. But the widespread perception is it didn’t turn out that way.
www.politico.eu
October 16, 2025 at 11:20 AM
All very amusing, but especially this:
"The most popular was an “Australian-style points-based immigration system,” with a net 46 percent support. The least popular was “Britain’s current immigration policy,” with -39 percent support."
www.politico.eu/article/labo...
"The most popular was an “Australian-style points-based immigration system,” with a net 46 percent support. The least popular was “Britain’s current immigration policy,” with -39 percent support."
www.politico.eu/article/labo...
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
"Adult social care factories."
Local government used to fund youth clubs, libraries and Sure Start centres. But years of cuts have stripped it to the bone, as the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's Public Services Performance Tracker lays bare.
My newsletter, out now.
Local government used to fund youth clubs, libraries and Sure Start centres. But years of cuts have stripped it to the bone, as the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's Public Services Performance Tracker lays bare.
My newsletter, out now.
Adult social care factories
Local government used to fund youth clubs, libraries and Sure Start centres. But years of cuts have stripped it to the bone, as a new IfG report lays bare
www.linestotake.com
October 16, 2025 at 7:46 AM
"Adult social care factories."
Local government used to fund youth clubs, libraries and Sure Start centres. But years of cuts have stripped it to the bone, as the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's Public Services Performance Tracker lays bare.
My newsletter, out now.
Local government used to fund youth clubs, libraries and Sure Start centres. But years of cuts have stripped it to the bone, as the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's Public Services Performance Tracker lays bare.
My newsletter, out now.