Thomas Pope
tompope.bsky.social
Thomas Pope
@tompope.bsky.social
Deputy Chief Economist @instituteforgov.bsky.social

On Twitter @tompope0
Pinned
New @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report by me, @gemmatetlow.bsky.social and @jillongovt.bsky.social on how Reeves should approach tax this Autumn

With tax rises inevitable, Reeves should reject path of least resistance and embrace tax reform 1/3

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
The 2025 budget and beyond: How Rachel Reeves can approach tax reform to help drive growth | Institute for Government
A big autumn approaches for the chancellor.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Reposted by Thomas Pope
Reposted by Thomas Pope
The dramatic rise in prisoners released in error is just one aspect of a collapsing criminal justice system.

Read our recent comment from @cassiarowland.bsky.social following today's news of another mistaken prisoner release
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/pris...
The mistaken release of Hadush Kebatu is a symptom of a failing system | Institute for Government
The problems in criminal justice run far deeper than one high-profile error.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 5, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Reposted by Thomas Pope
There are only three weeks to go until Rachel Reeves delivers her second budget as chancellor.

Follow our autumn budget 2025 page for our analysis of the current fiscal context facing the chancellor and how Reeves should approach tax policy making www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/autumn-budge...
Autumn budget 2025 | Institute for Government
On Wednesday 26 November, Rachel Reeves will deliver her second budget as chancellor.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 5, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Reposted by Thomas Pope
What if there was a consensus on the tax reforms the UK needs?

What if it was backed by policy experts from think tanks across the political spectrum, from the Adam Smith Institute to the Resolution Foundation?

The consensus is real. The question is: will anyone act on it?
November 5, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Reposted by Thomas Pope
and a lot of other things messing up the economy - just all seems a bit -- late?
November 4, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Reposted by Thomas Pope
I'm back on the IfG podcast! Great to welcome @dannyshaw.bsky.social to discuss just a few of the big home affairs stories dominating the news this week - as well as our new report. Have a listen!
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/pris...
The Prisons Crisis Strikes Back | Institute for Government
Former BBC journalist and Labour adviser Danny Shaw joins the podcast team to discuss the state of the criminal justice system.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 23, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Reposted by Thomas Pope
NEW REPORT Criminal justice is coming apart at the seams. Police, criminal courts & prisons can’t cope with the level of demand and performance keeps spiralling downwards. Early positive steps from the government won't be enough to turn things around
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Performance Tracker 2025: Criminal justice system | Institute for Government
The government must act to avoid the justice system returning to the crisis point seen when Labour entered office, or worse.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 23, 2025 at 6:44 AM
Reposted by Thomas Pope
While we wait for the second part of our Performance Tracker 2025, join us for the launch of one of our much awaited events of the year. @amberdellar.bsky.social @cassiarowland.bsky.social @jesstud.bsky.social @nuffieldtrust.org.uk

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/labour...
October 22, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Reposted by Thomas Pope
Our #DevoLab2 is happening today!

Join us at The Exchange - University of Birmingham to learn how mayors' and strategic authorities' powers can be used to secure and deliver private investment for key regional strategic projects.

🎟️Get your ticket:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/devola...
October 20, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Reposted by Thomas Pope
The point of a multi-year spending review and regular SR cycle is to provide stability. That stability allows frontline public services to make long-term decisions that will deliver better outcomes and VfM. It's a big failure of policymaking if spending decisions are being reopened 4 months later
Chancellor admits tax rises and spending cuts considered for budget
Speaking exclusively to Sky's deputy political editor Sam Coates, Rachel Reeves says Brexit, austerity, and the Liz Truss mini-budget have all played a role in damaging Britain's economy - as she prep...
news.sky.com
October 15, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Reposted by Thomas Pope
Flagged in this morning’s Politico Playbook, here’s @tompope.bsky.social’s excellent new @instituteforgovernment.org.uk blog on Kemi Badenoch’s stamp duty plan - and why the sums don’t quite add up.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/kemi...
Kemi Badenoch’s promise to abolish stamp duty has ducked tax trade-offs | Institute for Government
Do Kemi Badenoch's stamp duty sums add up?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 9, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Reposted by Thomas Pope
In light of Kemi Badenoch’s pledge to abolish stamp duty, @jillongovt.bsky.social is refreshing our memory with a very useful explainer on Stamp Duty Land Tax:

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/article/expl...
Kemi Badenoch’s promise to abolish stamp duty has ducked tax trade-offs | Institute for Government
Do Kemi Badenoch's stamp duty sums add up?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 8, 2025 at 3:50 PM
My instant reaction to Badenoch's stamp duty announcement for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Stamp duty is a bad tax. But abolishing it without a broader reform of property taxes would be a missed opportunity and hard to afford.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/kemi...
Kemi Badenoch’s promise to abolish stamp duty has ducked tax trade-offs | Institute for Government
Do Kemi Badenoch's stamp duty sums add up?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
October 8, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Reposted by Thomas Pope
Reposted by Thomas Pope
A the end of last month @instituteforgovernment.org.uk headed to Bournemouth for the Liberal Democrat Party Conference 2025

We held an event in partnership with @uniofsurrey.bsky.social exploring how local places can ensure devolution delivers economic growth, chaired by @tompope.bsky.social
October 8, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Reposted by Thomas Pope
Last week the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk travelled north to Liverpool for the Labour Party Conference 2025.

At our event on the Monday, with @uniofsurrey.bsky.social & chaired by @tompope.bsky.social we explored how local places can maximise the benefits of devolution to drive growth
October 8, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Reposted by Thomas Pope
🎧Starmer’s Liverpool Drama?

Ex-No10 adviser Tom
Webb joins the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk podcast to preview the @teamlabouruk.bsky.social conference (& review @libdems.org.uk conf)

With @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @jillongovt.bsky.social @tompope.bsky.social

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/i...
Starmer’s Liverpool Drama
Podcast Episode · Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government · 24/09/2025 · 32m
podcasts.apple.com
September 26, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Reposted by Thomas Pope
Fortunately @jillongovt.bsky.social has just written us an excellent explainer on digital ID cards! Everything you need to know here… www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/di...

www.thetimes.com/article/3fed...
All UK adults to require digital ID under Keir Starmer plan
The ‘Brit card’ would be part of efforts to tackle illegal migration by verifying right to live and work in Britain
www.thetimes.com
September 25, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Reposted by Thomas Pope
NEW REPORT: @instituteforgovernment.org.uk finds that confused missions, pervasive risk aversion, poor data quality, insufficient commericial capability, and a failure to focus on outcomes means that govt is failing to make the most of £400bn+ a year it spends on procurement
The role of procurement in delivering mission-led government | Institute for Government
How can the government remove the barriers to its missions?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
September 25, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Reposted by Thomas Pope
Follow our autumn budget 2025 page for more in the lead up to Reeves' second budget as chancellor on Weds 26 November www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/autumn-budge...

Follow the team @gemmatetlow.bsky.social @tompope.bsky.social @drbenpaxton.bsky.social @danhaile.bsky.social @gilesyb.bsky.social
Autumn budget 2025 | Institute for Government
On Wednesday 26 November, Rachel Reeves will deliver her second budget as chancellor.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
September 24, 2025 at 8:26 AM
New @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report by me, @gemmatetlow.bsky.social and @jillongovt.bsky.social on how Reeves should approach tax this Autumn

With tax rises inevitable, Reeves should reject path of least resistance and embrace tax reform 1/3

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
The 2025 budget and beyond: How Rachel Reeves can approach tax reform to help drive growth | Institute for Government
A big autumn approaches for the chancellor.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
September 24, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Reposted by Thomas Pope
A deteriorating fiscal outlook since March means Rachel Reeves is likely to need to raise taxes

@danhaile.bsky.social and @tompope.bsky.social argue that Rachel Reeves should use the budget to reset her fiscal strategy www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...
Rachel Reeves should use the budget to reset her fiscal strategy | Institute for Government
The chancellor needs to articulate a fiscal and tax strategy.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
September 22, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Reposted by Thomas Pope
Maybe its time to repost this @instituteforgovernment.org.uk @theifs.bsky.social Chartered Institute of Taxation report from 2017 (!).. If only.. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
September 19, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Reposted by Thomas Pope
How Number 10's strengthened economics team can work for Keir Starmer

@gilesyb.bsky.social identifies four key steps to help No10's new economics team succeed.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/numb...
How Number 10's strengthened economics team can work for Keir Starmer | Institute for Government
There are four key steps to help No10's new economics team succeed.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
September 19, 2025 at 9:41 AM