1/ Today, we publish Whitehall Monitor 2026, the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's annual data-driven assessment of the size, shape and performance of the civil service. Key headlines about perm secs, size of CS and ALBs below 👇🧵

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

1/ Today, we publish Whitehall Monitor 2026, the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's annual data-driven assessment of the size, shape and performance of the civil service. Key headlines about perm secs, size of CS and ALBs below 👇🧵

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

3 months ago I'd never heard of a permanent secretary - now I can name them all. All thanks to Whitehall Monitor!

Huge props to @hannahkeenan.bsky.social for leading on this important project, and to the rest of the team for getting it over the line.

Christmas has come early! You can now read all about the new public bodies set up by Labour since coming to power, as well as the proposed bodies still in the works, in our updated tracker. #festive

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/pu...

For those eager to know more, here's the updated explainer, which goes into a bit more detail (i.e. more charts!):
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/ci...

@instituteforgovernment.org.uk

The updated Governance Code for Public Appointments is a major step forward - good to see many previous IfG recommendations taken on board. There is more to do, however, as shown by recent antics at DCMS.

My and @drmatthewgill.bsky.social 's thoughts below👇

1/ The latest ONS data on public sector employment shows that the civil service has grown (again).

After 2 consecutive quarters of plateauing growth, the CS grew in Q3 by 3490 (0.6%) to 520440 FTE. This is the highest quarterly increase since Labour came to power.

@instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Government 2026: IfG's annual conference 🚨

Join us on Tuesday 13 January as we bring together influential speakers to explore the key questions for government over the next 12 months.

Register to attend online 👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...

With @grantthorntonuk.bsky.social

Really pleased to have contributed to the new criminal justice section of Performance Tracker 2025, now live on the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk’s website. It brings together new analysis on police, criminal courts and prisons. Some thoughts below. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

More civil service data for you to get stuck into: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/ci...

This time, it's all about grades and how they've changed. Grade inflation is not just an issue for A-level students, it seems...

NEW: @instituteforgovernment.org.uk have published pt1 of Public Services Performance Tracker 2025 covering local government finances and overall performance, adult social care, children's social care and homelessness

Incredible work by @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social & @amberdellar.bsky.social

Our reaction to Mel Stride’s big day at the Tory conference

There are savings to be made in the civil service. But an arbitrary headcount target & ignoring new demands on the state won’t deliver them

The hard work of doing that falls to the govt

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/mel-...

Comment | How Keir Starmer’s government can be built for delivery

With delivery now a central priority, government must get the metrics, routines and feedback loops right, say @emma-conway.bsky.social and @howesdaniel.bsky.social

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/star...

Special Delivery! @emma-conway.bsky.social and I have been thinking about how Keir Starmer and co (especially Darren Jones) can make a success of 'phase two' - which is all about delivering on the government's priorities. Read more here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/star...

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/...

1/ If you've been itching to know how the size of the civil service has changed... we at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk have you covered.

I've crunched the numbers from the latest ONS data release, which you can read about here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/ci...

David Lammy should reverse the proposed “democratic lock” over the Sentencing Council

We need a politics that does not pile pressure on ministers to overrule independent decisions, says @drmatthewgill.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/davi...