Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Thomas Pope

@tompope.bsky.social

1.3K followers 350 following 99 posts

Deputy Chief Economist @instituteforgov.bsky.social On Twitter @tompope0

Videos

Economics 44%

Business 23%

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Thomas Pope @tompope.bsky.social · 16d

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

3 18 14

Reposted by Thomas Pope, Jill Rutter

Sam Macrory @sammacrory.bsky.social · 1d

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

1 9 13

Thomas Pope @tompope.bsky.social · 1d

Yes I think so... The Block Grant Adjustment for SDLT would go to zero, so all else equal the grant from Westminster to Scotland/Wales under Barnett would increase. If the cut were funded by cuts to spending on devolved areas, it would mostly net off

1 2

Reposted by Thomas Pope

Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 2d

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

2 2

Thomas Pope @tompope.bsky.social · 2d

You can hear more about that and everything else at Conservative Party conference in our podcast, out now!

bsky.app/profile/samm...

Sam Macrory @sammacrory.bsky.social · 2d

🎧NEW: Lessons in Kemistry..

Brilliant Conservative Party conference (& stamp duty) analysis on @instituteforgovernment.org.uk podcast

@drhannahwhite.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social @tompope.bsky.social
and Patrick English of @yougov.co.uk

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...

Lessons in Kemistry | Institute for Government

YouGov's Patrick English joined the Inside Briefing team in Manchester to assess the state of the official opposition.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Thomas Pope @tompope.bsky.social · 2d

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

1 8 13

Reposted by Thomas Pope

Sam Macrory @sammacrory.bsky.social · 2d

Lessons in Kemistry | Institute for Government

YouGov's Patrick English joined the Inside Briefing team in Manchester to assess the state of the official opposition.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

1 3 3

Reposted by Thomas Pope

Rebecca McKee @rebeccamckee.bsky.social · 2d

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

1 5 5

Reposted by Thomas Pope

Rebecca McKee @rebeccamckee.bsky.social · 2d

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

1 5 5

Reposted by Thomas Pope

Sam Macrory @sammacrory.bsky.social · 14d

🎧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

1 3 4

Reposted by Thomas Pope

Hannah White @drhannahwhite.bsky.social · 15d

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

5 12 22

Reposted by Thomas Pope

Nick Davies @njdavies.bsky.social · 15d

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

3 18 20

Reposted by Thomas Pope, Gemma Tetlow

Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 16d

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

Thomas Pope @tompope.bsky.social · 16d

So Reeves should
Choose sensible tax increases this autumn, even if that means revisiting tax pledges

Set out tax strategy for reform over the parliament with clear principles and objectives

Some ideas for what that might look like in the paper
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
3/3

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

1 5

Thomas Pope @tompope.bsky.social · 16d

As Reeves looks to raise revenue, she will be tempted to follow previous chancellors and an eclectic grab bag of tax raisers that further complicate the system

But that would be a mistake, even if it is easiest in short-term. It will harm growth and leave chancellor without a narrative on tax 2/3

1 2

Reposted by Thomas Pope

Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 18d

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

1 5

Reposted by Thomas Pope

Jill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · 21d

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/...

Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 21d

Britain must break from the grip of dysfunctional policymaking on.ft.com/4nErxVY

Britain must break from the grip of dysfunctional policymaking

Speculation over what might be in November’s Budget has left me depressed about our capacity for rational policies

on.ft.com

4 8

Reposted by Thomas Pope, Jill Rutter

Financial Times @financialtimes.com · 21d

Britain must break from the grip of dysfunctional policymaking on.ft.com/4nErxVY

Britain must break from the grip of dysfunctional policymaking

Speculation over what might be in November’s Budget has left me depressed about our capacity for rational policies

on.ft.com

4 3 9

Thomas Pope @tompope.bsky.social · 21d

Nice thread James. Do you know which other taxes are driving this £4bn undershoot vs forecast?

1 1

Reposted by Thomas Pope

Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 21d

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

2 4 6

Reposted by Thomas Pope

Gemma Tetlow @gemmatetlow.bsky.social · 21d

Very good piece from Meg Hillier on the dangers of political attacks on independent institutions like the OBR on.ft.com/3VV7p5Y The OBR is not to blame for weak growth

The OBR is not to blame for weak growth

When politicians attack independent institutions, we all lose

on.ft.com

3 4 10

Reposted by Thomas Pope

Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 22d

Rachel Reeves should use the budget to reset her fiscal strategy

A deteriorating fiscal outlook since March means Rachel Reeves is likely to need to raise taxes, argue @danhaile.bsky.social and @tompope.bsky.social 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

4 7

Thomas Pope @tompope.bsky.social · 22d

Now is not a good time for more borrowing, and tax rises are almost certain.

Beyond specific measures, Reeves needs a new fiscal - and tax - strategy to stop being buffeted by smallish shocks every few months

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...
2/2

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

1 2

Thomas Pope @tompope.bsky.social · 22d

Latest from me and @danhaile.bsky.social for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Higher interest rates, a productivity downgrade and policy u-turns mean perhaps a c.£20bn forecast deterioration at budget

How should she respond?

1/2

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

1 3 5

Reposted by Tom Shakespeare, Thomas Pope, Jane Callaghan , and 4 more Tom Shakespeare, Thomas Pope, Jane Callaghan, Jill Rutter, Juanjo Medina, Morwenna Ludlow, David Spurrett

Cassia Rowland @cassiarowland.bsky.social · 25d

This is moving in exactly the wrong direction! Education & meaningful activity in prison is crucial to reducing violence and improving outcomes

7 120 240

Reposted by Martin McKee, Thomas Pope

Rebecca McKee @rebeccamckee.bsky.social · Sep 9

Over on @instituteforgovernment.org.uk live blog we're posting our 'cabinet flashcards' - key info on who's who in Starmer's reshuffled cabinet.

Helping you prepare for - presumably - the hottest round at every pub quiz this week (if your local one hasn't been cancelled due to tube strikes...)

1 7 13

Thomas Pope @tompope.bsky.social · Sep 9

Brilliant panel for this event starting soon. Do follow along online.

Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · Sep 9

TODAY: Delivering the government’s economic growth mission: What is the role of the industrial strategy?

Join us live at 12:30 as we explore how the industrial strategy can unlock growth across frontier sectors and the steps required to make it work www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/delive...

A banner from the Institute for Government advertising it's event called 'Delivering the government’s economic growth mission: What is the role of the industrial strategy?' on Tuesday 9 September, 12:30-13:30

1 1

Reposted by Thomas Pope, Jill Rutter

Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · Sep 9

1 3 3

Reposted by Thomas Pope

Sam Macrory @sammacrory.bsky.social · Sep 7

Make sure to bookmark @instituteforgovernment.org.uk reshuffle liveblog..

Top analysis from ace IfG colleagues

@timdurrant.bsky.social @rebeccamckee.bsky.social @jillongovt.bsky.social @philipnye.bsky.social
@drhannahwhite.bsky.social & more

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

4 6

Reposted by Thomas Pope

Transform Justice @transformjustice.bsky.social · Sep 3

💡Transform Justice Director @penelopegibbs.bsky.social
went on a mission to uncover the mysterious single justice procedure case files hidden from public view.

Read more in our latest Insight ⬇️
www.transformjustice.org.uk/news-insight...

Where are the missing single justice procedure Libra court files? - Transform Justice

www.transformjustice.org.uk

1 4