Amber Dellar
@amberdellar.bsky.social
Researcher, public services @instituteforgovernment.org.uk. Focusing on schools and local government, particularly children's social care and homelessness. She/her
Pinned
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
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.
Reposted by Amber Dellar
Investigation: Dozens of councils do not hold data on how many home-educated children are subject to child protection enquiries – suggesting many authorities are underprepared for new duties to protect vulnerable children
schoolsweek.co.uk/safeguarding...
schoolsweek.co.uk/safeguarding...
Safeguarding risk data missing from home education records
Dozens of LAs hold no data on at-home kids potentially at risk, spelling trouble for new duties
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Investigation: Dozens of councils do not hold data on how many home-educated children are subject to child protection enquiries – suggesting many authorities are underprepared for new duties to protect vulnerable children
schoolsweek.co.uk/safeguarding...
schoolsweek.co.uk/safeguarding...
Reposted by Amber Dellar
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 Amber Dellar
My final guest blog for @russellwebster.com! So far, I've covered policing, criminal courts and prisons. But what about the broader picture? How are other public services performing, what does that mean for criminal justice, and how well have Labour done in their first year and a half?
What progress has Labour made on public services?
Cassia Rowland from the Institute for Government sums up overall government performance in the last of her series of performance tracker guest posts.
www.russellwebster.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:41 PM
My final guest blog for @russellwebster.com! So far, I've covered policing, criminal courts and prisons. But what about the broader picture? How are other public services performing, what does that mean for criminal justice, and how well have Labour done in their first year and a half?
Reposted by Amber Dellar
Attention is on NEETs today, but the problem is much worse.
NEETs include stay-at-home parents & jobseekers.
Strip those out to focus on people not working, not seeking work, not in education & not parenting: this group of economically & socially dislocated young adults has *doubled* in a decade.
NEETs include stay-at-home parents & jobseekers.
Strip those out to focus on people not working, not seeking work, not in education & not parenting: this group of economically & socially dislocated young adults has *doubled* in a decade.
November 20, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Attention is on NEETs today, but the problem is much worse.
NEETs include stay-at-home parents & jobseekers.
Strip those out to focus on people not working, not seeking work, not in education & not parenting: this group of economically & socially dislocated young adults has *doubled* in a decade.
NEETs include stay-at-home parents & jobseekers.
Strip those out to focus on people not working, not seeking work, not in education & not parenting: this group of economically & socially dislocated young adults has *doubled* in a decade.
Reposted by Amber Dellar
New comment from us on the six big things we at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk will be looking out for at next week's budget
With less than a week to go until Rachel Reeves delivers her 2025 budget, the IfG public finances team have set out six key questions they will be looking for the chancellor to answer - from fiscal and tax strategies to cost of living www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...
Rachel Reeves’s budget 2025: The IfG’s six things to look out for | Institute for Government
What can we expect from the chancellor’s second budget?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 20, 2025 at 1:10 PM
New comment from us on the six big things we at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk will be looking out for at next week's budget
Reposted by Amber Dellar
Gov just published a new list cabinet committees. In short, looks like (1) big vote of confidence in Darren Jones from the PM, (2) existing missions + immigration are top of the government's agenda, (3) PM wants things to happen faster, and (4) Rayner's priorities perhaps no longer front of mind?🧵
List of Cabinet Committees and their membership
www.gov.uk
November 19, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Gov just published a new list cabinet committees. In short, looks like (1) big vote of confidence in Darren Jones from the PM, (2) existing missions + immigration are top of the government's agenda, (3) PM wants things to happen faster, and (4) Rayner's priorities perhaps no longer front of mind?🧵
New data shows 40% of 19 to 21 year-old care leavers were not in employment, education or training in March this year (15,000 young people).
For all 19 to 21 year-olds, that figure is estimated at 15%.
For all 19 to 21 year-olds, that figure is estimated at 15%.
November 20, 2025 at 11:14 AM
New data shows 40% of 19 to 21 year-old care leavers were not in employment, education or training in March this year (15,000 young people).
For all 19 to 21 year-olds, that figure is estimated at 15%.
For all 19 to 21 year-olds, that figure is estimated at 15%.
Reposted by Amber Dellar
A chart that surprised me: NHS staff absences for mental health reasons are at record highs, above pandemic levels
Absences for that reason have grown far faster than the combination of other reasons since 2016
Staff were absent for 1.4% of all working days for mental health reasons in YE May 2025
Absences for that reason have grown far faster than the combination of other reasons since 2016
Staff were absent for 1.4% of all working days for mental health reasons in YE May 2025
November 20, 2025 at 9:34 AM
A chart that surprised me: NHS staff absences for mental health reasons are at record highs, above pandemic levels
Absences for that reason have grown far faster than the combination of other reasons since 2016
Staff were absent for 1.4% of all working days for mental health reasons in YE May 2025
Absences for that reason have grown far faster than the combination of other reasons since 2016
Staff were absent for 1.4% of all working days for mental health reasons in YE May 2025
Reposted by Amber Dellar
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 Amber Dellar
With a week to go until the budget, here is the IfG's view on what to watch
On public services, we'll be looking to see:
- How the inflation forecast changes real terms spending
- More details on govt's reform agenda
- Further efficiency drives
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...
On public services, we'll be looking to see:
- How the inflation forecast changes real terms spending
- More details on govt's reform agenda
- Further efficiency drives
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...
Rachel Reeves’s budget 2025: The IfG’s six things to look out for | Institute for Government
What can we expect from the chancellor’s second budget?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 19, 2025 at 4:35 PM
With a week to go until the budget, here is the IfG's view on what to watch
On public services, we'll be looking to see:
- How the inflation forecast changes real terms spending
- More details on govt's reform agenda
- Further efficiency drives
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...
On public services, we'll be looking to see:
- How the inflation forecast changes real terms spending
- More details on govt's reform agenda
- Further efficiency drives
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...
Reposted by Amber Dellar
Lack of planning has hit Labour’s efforts to fix public services, says thinktank.
Great summary of @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's analysis by @kiranstacey.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Great summary of @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's analysis by @kiranstacey.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Lack of planning has hit Labour’s efforts to fix public services, says thinktank
Keir Starmer accused of failing to adequately strategise while in opposition, leading to uncoordinated policymaking
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Lack of planning has hit Labour’s efforts to fix public services, says thinktank.
Great summary of @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's analysis by @kiranstacey.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Great summary of @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's analysis by @kiranstacey.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Amber Dellar
This post from DfE is going down like a sack of spuds.
Many teachers replying with their experience from the frontline right now…
Many teachers replying with their experience from the frontline right now…
November 19, 2025 at 9:11 AM
This post from DfE is going down like a sack of spuds.
Many teachers replying with their experience from the frontline right now…
Many teachers replying with their experience from the frontline right now…
Reposted by Amber Dellar
NEW: Labour inherited public services in crisis. Performance had fallen, investment had been cut + spending plans were undeliverable.
It's made some progress, providing stability and positive long-term plans. But it has been undermined by poor prep in opposition and lack of co-ordination in govt 🧵
It's made some progress, providing stability and positive long-term plans. But it has been undermined by poor prep in opposition and lack of co-ordination in govt 🧵
November 19, 2025 at 7:03 AM
NEW: Labour inherited public services in crisis. Performance had fallen, investment had been cut + spending plans were undeliverable.
It's made some progress, providing stability and positive long-term plans. But it has been undermined by poor prep in opposition and lack of co-ordination in govt 🧵
It's made some progress, providing stability and positive long-term plans. But it has been undermined by poor prep in opposition and lack of co-ordination in govt 🧵
Reposted by Amber Dellar
This is really part of a longer story about the ONS, and the picture we have (or don't) of the state and society. The move from International Passenger Surveys to DWP data should improve our understanding of what Brits are doing at least.
Worth noting:
• Upward revision applies to entire 2021-2024 series — the *trend* in emigration is *roughly* flat
• As infuriating as big revisions are, they mean data is getting better
• BUT wild that we ever used a survey to gauge movements into and out of the country instead of counting people!
• Upward revision applies to entire 2021-2024 series — the *trend* in emigration is *roughly* flat
• As infuriating as big revisions are, they mean data is getting better
• BUT wild that we ever used a survey to gauge movements into and out of the country instead of counting people!
November 18, 2025 at 6:05 PM
This is really part of a longer story about the ONS, and the picture we have (or don't) of the state and society. The move from International Passenger Surveys to DWP data should improve our understanding of what Brits are doing at least.
Reposted by Amber Dellar
Buckle up for tomorrow's packed schedule‼️
Starting with: How successfully have Labour run public services?
@cassiarowland.bsky.social @amberdellar.bsky.social @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social @njdavies.bsky.social @markwfranks.bsky.social
🎟️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/labour...
Starting with: How successfully have Labour run public services?
@cassiarowland.bsky.social @amberdellar.bsky.social @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social @njdavies.bsky.social @markwfranks.bsky.social
🎟️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/labour...
November 18, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Buckle up for tomorrow's packed schedule‼️
Starting with: How successfully have Labour run public services?
@cassiarowland.bsky.social @amberdellar.bsky.social @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social @njdavies.bsky.social @markwfranks.bsky.social
🎟️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/labour...
Starting with: How successfully have Labour run public services?
@cassiarowland.bsky.social @amberdellar.bsky.social @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social @njdavies.bsky.social @markwfranks.bsky.social
🎟️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/labour...
Reposted by Amber Dellar
Education Support's Teacher Wellbeing Index 2025 reveals an education workforce in crisis with staff wellbeing at its lowest level since 2019.
📘Download the full report, with recommendations for change: bit.ly/43cYK30
#TWIX2025 @edsupportuk.bsky.social
📘Download the full report, with recommendations for change: bit.ly/43cYK30
#TWIX2025 @edsupportuk.bsky.social
Teacher Wellbeing Index
The Teacher Wellbeing Index details the findings of Education Support’s annual survey into the mental health and wellbeing of teachers and education staff working in the UK
bit.ly
November 18, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Education Support's Teacher Wellbeing Index 2025 reveals an education workforce in crisis with staff wellbeing at its lowest level since 2019.
📘Download the full report, with recommendations for change: bit.ly/43cYK30
#TWIX2025 @edsupportuk.bsky.social
📘Download the full report, with recommendations for change: bit.ly/43cYK30
#TWIX2025 @edsupportuk.bsky.social
Reposted by Amber Dellar
Our contribution to ongoing debates on the reform of children's social care @hscwru.bsky.social
No quick fixes: Multi-agency working to improve information-sharing on men and keep children safe url: academic.oup.com/bjsw/article...
No quick fixes: Multi-agency working to improve information-sharing on men and keep children safe url: academic.oup.com/bjsw/article...
No quick fixes: Multi-agency working to improve information-sharing on men and keep children safe
The failure of public agencies such as children’s social care, health and the police to share information about children and families has been repeatedly i
academic.oup.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Our contribution to ongoing debates on the reform of children's social care @hscwru.bsky.social
No quick fixes: Multi-agency working to improve information-sharing on men and keep children safe url: academic.oup.com/bjsw/article...
No quick fixes: Multi-agency working to improve information-sharing on men and keep children safe url: academic.oup.com/bjsw/article...
Reposted by Amber Dellar
💸 A school has been refused permission to cut its intake by a quarter despite estimates of a 'catastrophic' £2 million deficit after the local authority opposed the plans
School’s intake cut blocked despite £2m deficit fear
Watchdog rejects plan despite admitting the change could help the academy 'attract more students'
schoolsweek.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 11:00 AM
💸 A school has been refused permission to cut its intake by a quarter despite estimates of a 'catastrophic' £2 million deficit after the local authority opposed the plans
Reposted by Amber Dellar
In other news look at councils projected cumulative deficit just on special needs costs over the next few years. Yikes.
November 17, 2025 at 9:27 AM
In other news look at councils projected cumulative deficit just on special needs costs over the next few years. Yikes.
Reposted by Amber Dellar
NEW REPORT: the govt has been running the NHS in England for 16 months
So how are they doing?
Tl;dr there are some signs of progress, but the overall approach to reforming the service has been chaotic, with little coherence between policies
🧵👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
So how are they doing?
Tl;dr there are some signs of progress, but the overall approach to reforming the service has been chaotic, with little coherence between policies
🧵👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Performance Tracker 2025: NHS | Institute for Government
NHS performance is improving, but a complex and haphazardly planned reform package might slow progress.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 16, 2025 at 2:47 PM
NEW REPORT: the govt has been running the NHS in England for 16 months
So how are they doing?
Tl;dr there are some signs of progress, but the overall approach to reforming the service has been chaotic, with little coherence between policies
🧵👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
So how are they doing?
Tl;dr there are some signs of progress, but the overall approach to reforming the service has been chaotic, with little coherence between policies
🧵👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Reposted by Amber Dellar
Guardian’s top story is @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social’s analysis of NHS performance, the latest release from Public Service Performance Tracker 2025.
There are some positives from past years but these risk being undermined by loss of GP partners, social care failures and chaotic approach to reform
There are some positives from past years but these risk being undermined by loss of GP partners, social care failures and chaotic approach to reform
Wes Streeting accused of ‘chaotic and incoherent approach’ to NHS reform
Exclusive: thinktank report finds health secretary has failed to improve productivity, with the health service unlikely to meet its targets
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Guardian’s top story is @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social’s analysis of NHS performance, the latest release from Public Service Performance Tracker 2025.
There are some positives from past years but these risk being undermined by loss of GP partners, social care failures and chaotic approach to reform
There are some positives from past years but these risk being undermined by loss of GP partners, social care failures and chaotic approach to reform
Reposted by Amber Dellar
Empty classrooms present government with a challenge and an opportunity
The government needs to show strategic direction on school places, says @amberdellar.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/empt...
The government needs to show strategic direction on school places, says @amberdellar.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/empt...
Empty classrooms present government with a challenge and an opportunity | Institute for Government
The government needs to show strategic direction on school places.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 13, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Empty classrooms present government with a challenge and an opportunity
The government needs to show strategic direction on school places, says @amberdellar.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/empt...
The government needs to show strategic direction on school places, says @amberdellar.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/empt...
Reposted by Amber Dellar
It was fascinating to work on this research with @hopenothate.org.uk.
All political parties are coalitions of voters with different preferences, but current supporters of Reform are especially disparate. The big question is how long Farage can keep them all on side.
All political parties are coalitions of voters with different preferences, but current supporters of Reform are especially disparate. The big question is how long Farage can keep them all on side.
Who supports Reform and why? The charts that show who favours Farage’s party
Who supports Reform and why? The charts that show who favours Farage’s party
Based on largest poll of supporters, these charts and maps show five distinct groups that could hand Reform a majority
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:36 PM
It was fascinating to work on this research with @hopenothate.org.uk.
All political parties are coalitions of voters with different preferences, but current supporters of Reform are especially disparate. The big question is how long Farage can keep them all on side.
All political parties are coalitions of voters with different preferences, but current supporters of Reform are especially disparate. The big question is how long Farage can keep them all on side.
'Cornwall council offered suppliers £6m to staff illegal children’s homes'
This might be a new low in terms of normalising children living in unlawful settings, but unfortunately, it really shouldn't come as a surprise
This might be a new low in terms of normalising children living in unlawful settings, but unfortunately, it really shouldn't come as a surprise
Cornwall council offered suppliers £6m to staff illegal children’s…
Regulators intervene after UK local authority accused of normalising unlawful placements
www.thebureauinvestigates.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:43 AM
'Cornwall council offered suppliers £6m to staff illegal children’s homes'
This might be a new low in terms of normalising children living in unlawful settings, but unfortunately, it really shouldn't come as a surprise
This might be a new low in terms of normalising children living in unlawful settings, but unfortunately, it really shouldn't come as a surprise
Empty classrooms present government with a challenge and an opportunity
Some strategic direction would help to ease two mounting pressures - the shortage of places in special schools and the surplus in mainstream schools
Some strategic direction would help to ease two mounting pressures - the shortage of places in special schools and the surplus in mainstream schools
Empty classrooms present government with a challenge and an opportunity | Institute for Government
The government needs to show strategic direction on school places
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 13, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Empty classrooms present government with a challenge and an opportunity
Some strategic direction would help to ease two mounting pressures - the shortage of places in special schools and the surplus in mainstream schools
Some strategic direction would help to ease two mounting pressures - the shortage of places in special schools and the surplus in mainstream schools