Shivani Chivukula
@shivanichivukula.bsky.social
Civil servant, formerly research assistant at @instituteforgov.bsky.social
Some welcome urgency from government on getting water infrastructure built as quickly as possible - which is crucial in the context of an increasing demand shortfall, as I explored in a blog for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk last month www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/inde...
May 29, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Some welcome urgency from government on getting water infrastructure built as quickly as possible - which is crucial in the context of an increasing demand shortfall, as I explored in a blog for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk last month www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/inde...
Reposted by Shivani Chivukula
Thames Water has been fined its biggest penalty so far by the water industry regulator Ofwat
But what is Ofwat and how does it function?
Read our full explainer: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/of...
But what is Ofwat and how does it function?
Read our full explainer: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/of...
Ofwat | Institute for Government
Ofwat is the economic regulator for the water and sewage sectors in England and Wales. But how does it work?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
May 28, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Thames Water has been fined its biggest penalty so far by the water industry regulator Ofwat
But what is Ofwat and how does it function?
Read our full explainer: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/of...
But what is Ofwat and how does it function?
Read our full explainer: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/of...
Reposted by Shivani Chivukula
Monday's announcement puts government at risk of cutting quango numbers for its own sake. But efficiency, accountability, and freeing up ministers to focus on the big picture are what really matter, and there are better ways to achieve these things. My latest for @instituteforgov.bsky.social:
Pat McFadden has written to departments, asking them to justify the existence of their public bodies.
But cutting the number of public bodies is the wrong objective for the government to set itself, says @drmatthewgill.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/pat-...
But cutting the number of public bodies is the wrong objective for the government to set itself, says @drmatthewgill.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/pat-...
Not another bonfire of the quangos… | Institute for Government
Cutting the number of public bodies is the wrong objective for the government to set itself.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
April 10, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Monday's announcement puts government at risk of cutting quango numbers for its own sake. But efficiency, accountability, and freeing up ministers to focus on the big picture are what really matter, and there are better ways to achieve these things. My latest for @instituteforgov.bsky.social:
Reposted by Shivani Chivukula
The passage of Labour's Tobacco and Vapes bill has been plain sailing so far. But history shows the success of anti-smoking policy hinges on cross-party (& public) buy-in, which the govt must not take for granted - certainly not now.
My latest for @instituteforgov.bsky.social 👇
My latest for @instituteforgov.bsky.social 👇
Smokefree generation: How to turn manifesto promises into tangible results | Institute for Government
What the government can learn from past anti-smoking legislation for its 'smokefree generation' commitment.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
April 4, 2025 at 2:41 PM
The passage of Labour's Tobacco and Vapes bill has been plain sailing so far. But history shows the success of anti-smoking policy hinges on cross-party (& public) buy-in, which the govt must not take for granted - certainly not now.
My latest for @instituteforgov.bsky.social 👇
My latest for @instituteforgov.bsky.social 👇
In a big day for government reviews at the IfG - a new blog from me about Sir Jon Cunliffe's Independent Water Commission. I explore why was it set up, what it is doing, and what this all has to do with 'terrible Tuesday'...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/inde...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/inde...
The Independent Water Commission has a chance to create meaningful change | Institute for Government
Labour set out clear ambitions for infrastructure before the election, including on housing and energy. But plans for the water sector were less clear
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
April 3, 2025 at 10:23 AM
In a big day for government reviews at the IfG - a new blog from me about Sir Jon Cunliffe's Independent Water Commission. I explore why was it set up, what it is doing, and what this all has to do with 'terrible Tuesday'...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/inde...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/inde...
Reposted by Shivani Chivukula
NEW REPORT from @jillongovt.bsky.social and I on how government should set up and run independent policy reviews to help deliver reforms. We looked back at previous reviews, and spoke to former reviewers to get their reflections and advice (1/12)
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Lessons from past independent policy reviews | Institute for Government
How, when and why are policy reviews used by politicians?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
April 3, 2025 at 9:07 AM
NEW REPORT from @jillongovt.bsky.social and I on how government should set up and run independent policy reviews to help deliver reforms. We looked back at previous reviews, and spoke to former reviewers to get their reflections and advice (1/12)
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Reposted by Shivani Chivukula
Interested in making government more effective? Applications for our 2025–26 research internship programme, starting in September 2025, are now open.
Closing date: Tuesday 29 April, 11:00 ⏰
Find out more:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/about-us/car...
Closing date: Tuesday 29 April, 11:00 ⏰
Find out more:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/about-us/car...
April 1, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Interested in making government more effective? Applications for our 2025–26 research internship programme, starting in September 2025, are now open.
Closing date: Tuesday 29 April, 11:00 ⏰
Find out more:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/about-us/car...
Closing date: Tuesday 29 April, 11:00 ⏰
Find out more:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/about-us/car...
Reposted by Shivani Chivukula
Planning reform given big emphasis in Rachel Reeves' statement today, including key measures from last week's Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
For a breakdown of 5 major changes, check out this recent blog from @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social and me
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/five...
For a breakdown of 5 major changes, check out this recent blog from @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social and me
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/five...
Five key changes set out in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill | Institute for Government
What is the potential impact of the government's planning bill?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
March 26, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Planning reform given big emphasis in Rachel Reeves' statement today, including key measures from last week's Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
For a breakdown of 5 major changes, check out this recent blog from @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social and me
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/five...
For a breakdown of 5 major changes, check out this recent blog from @sophiemetcalfe.bsky.social and me
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/five...
Reposted by Shivani Chivukula
Some more detailed thoughts on the regulatory action plan published last week...
What is in the government’s plan to make regulation pro-growth?
The government has set out ambitious plans to streamline regulation. @drmatthewgill.bsky.social says there is much to applaud, but a sophisticated debate on regulation remains elusive www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...
The government has set out ambitious plans to streamline regulation. @drmatthewgill.bsky.social says there is much to applaud, but a sophisticated debate on regulation remains elusive www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...
Operation chainsaw or clear-eyed surgery: What is in the government’s plan to make regulation pro-growth? | Institute for Government
The government has set out ambitious plans to streamline regulation.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
March 25, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Some more detailed thoughts on the regulatory action plan published last week...
Reposted by Shivani Chivukula
1/ Today’s policy paper from HMT on regulation and growth is welcome: www.gov.uk/government/n.... In the main, it grips the need to prioritise growth in an energetic but proportionate way. Nonetheless, implementation of some proposals will be difficult and there are some pitfalls to avoid.
Radical action plan to cut red tape and kickstart growth
The Chancellor will meet top regulator bosses in Downing Street today (Monday 17 March) as she unveils an action plan to deliver on the pledge to cut the administrative cost of regulation on business ...
www.gov.uk
March 17, 2025 at 6:34 PM
1/ Today’s policy paper from HMT on regulation and growth is welcome: www.gov.uk/government/n.... In the main, it grips the need to prioritise growth in an energetic but proportionate way. Nonetheless, implementation of some proposals will be difficult and there are some pitfalls to avoid.
Reposted by Shivani Chivukula
📣New report from me & @brionya.bsky.social
MCAs’ decision-making is often limited by unanimous voting rules
Effective decision making for key strategic plans requires a shift to simple majority voting alongside greater capacity and accountability
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
MCAs’ decision-making is often limited by unanimous voting rules
Effective decision making for key strategic plans requires a shift to simple majority voting alongside greater capacity and accountability
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
How the government can support better decision making in mayoral combined authorities | Institute for Government
Making England’s ‘devolution revolution’ a reality.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
March 14, 2025 at 11:02 AM
📣New report from me & @brionya.bsky.social
MCAs’ decision-making is often limited by unanimous voting rules
Effective decision making for key strategic plans requires a shift to simple majority voting alongside greater capacity and accountability
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
MCAs’ decision-making is often limited by unanimous voting rules
Effective decision making for key strategic plans requires a shift to simple majority voting alongside greater capacity and accountability
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
In light of today's announcement - this chart gives some context on how NHS England accounts for almost half of government's total spending on ALBs, and how increases to its budget have been the main driver for the overall increase in funding for ALBs in recent years.
March 13, 2025 at 12:00 PM
In light of today's announcement - this chart gives some context on how NHS England accounts for almost half of government's total spending on ALBs, and how increases to its budget have been the main driver for the overall increase in funding for ALBs in recent years.
Reposted by Shivani Chivukula
Reports by @drmatthewgill.bsky.social -
our @instituteforgov.bsky.social expert on all things public bodies -
are must reads right now… 👇
our @instituteforgov.bsky.social expert on all things public bodies -
are must reads right now… 👇
Keir Starmer has announced that the government will be abolishing NHS England.
Read our report by @drmatthewgill.bsky.social on how to successfully abolish a public body and the lessons from previous restructures www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Read our report by @drmatthewgill.bsky.social on how to successfully abolish a public body and the lessons from previous restructures www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
How to abolish a public body | Institute for Government
How the government can make future abolitions succeed.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
March 13, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Reports by @drmatthewgill.bsky.social -
our @instituteforgov.bsky.social expert on all things public bodies -
are must reads right now… 👇
our @instituteforgov.bsky.social expert on all things public bodies -
are must reads right now… 👇
Reposted by Shivani Chivukula
Can AI transform civil service productivity? How would you cut the administrative costs of regulation by 25%? And what would that mean for arachnids in Ebbsfleet? Join us to discuss these - and other themes from Keir Starmer's speech - at lunchtime today!
TODAY: What is Keir Starmer’s new plan for government reform?
Join us at 13:00 for our expert analysis of the PM’s plans to overhaul the state.
@drmatthewgill.bsky.social @hannahkeenan.bsky.social @jillongovt.bsky.social @cathhaddon.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/keir-s...
Join us at 13:00 for our expert analysis of the PM’s plans to overhaul the state.
@drmatthewgill.bsky.social @hannahkeenan.bsky.social @jillongovt.bsky.social @cathhaddon.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/keir-s...
March 13, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Can AI transform civil service productivity? How would you cut the administrative costs of regulation by 25%? And what would that mean for arachnids in Ebbsfleet? Join us to discuss these - and other themes from Keir Starmer's speech - at lunchtime today!
Reposted by Shivani Chivukula
While we all speculate about what exactly the PM will say tomorrow and what the balance between ministers, depts and public bodies should be over policy decisions, I thought I'd have a look through the @instituteforgov.bsky.social's interviews with former ministers to see what they have to say...
March 12, 2025 at 10:38 AM
While we all speculate about what exactly the PM will say tomorrow and what the balance between ministers, depts and public bodies should be over policy decisions, I thought I'd have a look through the @instituteforgov.bsky.social's interviews with former ministers to see what they have to say...
The National Wealth Fund is a key part of the govt's plans to address chronic underinvestment in the UK and stimulate growth. But what is it, and how does it work? An explainer: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/na...
What is the National Wealth Fund? | Institute for Government
The chancellor's new Fund replaces the UK Infrastructure Bank.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
February 12, 2025 at 11:56 AM
The National Wealth Fund is a key part of the govt's plans to address chronic underinvestment in the UK and stimulate growth. But what is it, and how does it work? An explainer: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/na...
Following a great IfG event yesterday on the government's clean power targets, a new explainer by me on the role of the National Energy System Operator (NESO)⚡ www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/na...
National Energy System Operator (NESO) | Institute for Government
NESO is the public body responsible for Great Britain’s energy system.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
February 5, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Following a great IfG event yesterday on the government's clean power targets, a new explainer by me on the role of the National Energy System Operator (NESO)⚡ www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/na...
The Commissioner for Public Appointment's report for 2023-24 has now been published. It's a shame to see that delays to appointment processes got even worse, with only 13% concluding within the recommended timeframe of 3 months. publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/u...
publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk
January 29, 2025 at 2:30 PM
The Commissioner for Public Appointment's report for 2023-24 has now been published. It's a shame to see that delays to appointment processes got even worse, with only 13% concluding within the recommended timeframe of 3 months. publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/u...
More Whitehall Monitor findings! For the first time since 2022 we put together a chapter on arm's-length bodies for WM2025 (published yesterday) - thanks to the Cabinet Office's publication of the 2023 public bodies dataset at the end of last year.
January 17, 2025 at 4:48 PM
More Whitehall Monitor findings! For the first time since 2022 we put together a chapter on arm's-length bodies for WM2025 (published yesterday) - thanks to the Cabinet Office's publication of the 2023 public bodies dataset at the end of last year.
Some key takeaways from our chapter on AI, digital and data in Whitehall Monitor 2025 [🧵]:
January 16, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Some key takeaways from our chapter on AI, digital and data in Whitehall Monitor 2025 [🧵]:
Reposted by Shivani Chivukula
The latest edition of our annual Whitehall Monitor report is out today. How has the civil service changed in the last year? And how does it still need to change to deliver on the government’s missions? Quick 🧵 on some of our findings on churn and diversity 1/8
January 16, 2025 at 11:27 AM
The latest edition of our annual Whitehall Monitor report is out today. How has the civil service changed in the last year? And how does it still need to change to deliver on the government’s missions? Quick 🧵 on some of our findings on churn and diversity 1/8
Reposted by Shivani Chivukula
The long, albeit slow, increase in workforce and budgets of Arms Length Bodies underpins a democratic deficit. If Ministers will ultimately be held accountable, they should take more responsibility for managing core functions of government directly.
January 16, 2025 at 9:55 AM
The long, albeit slow, increase in workforce and budgets of Arms Length Bodies underpins a democratic deficit. If Ministers will ultimately be held accountable, they should take more responsibility for managing core functions of government directly.
Reposted by Shivani Chivukula
On staffing more widely, we have data on arm’s-length body staff numbers for the first time in several years
This chart from @shivanichivukula.bsky.social shows what the drivers behind increasing ALB staff numbers are
This chart from @shivanichivukula.bsky.social shows what the drivers behind increasing ALB staff numbers are
January 16, 2025 at 10:07 AM
On staffing more widely, we have data on arm’s-length body staff numbers for the first time in several years
This chart from @shivanichivukula.bsky.social shows what the drivers behind increasing ALB staff numbers are
This chart from @shivanichivukula.bsky.social shows what the drivers behind increasing ALB staff numbers are
It was great to contribute to the final two chapters of the report: one on the ALB landscape, and one on AI, digital and data in the civil service. The latter in particular was a very new area of research for this ex-classicist and I had fun writing it with my colleague @jordanurban.bsky.social
[NEW] Whitehall Monitor 2025, our annual data-driven stocktake of the civil service, is out today.
It examines the civil service that Starmer’s government inherited – and how Labour’s mission-led approach fits in with Whitehall’s ways of working www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
It examines the civil service that Starmer’s government inherited – and how Labour’s mission-led approach fits in with Whitehall’s ways of working www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Whitehall Monitor 2025 | Institute for Government
The civil service needs to change to deliver Labour's missions.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
January 16, 2025 at 10:43 AM
It was great to contribute to the final two chapters of the report: one on the ALB landscape, and one on AI, digital and data in the civil service. The latter in particular was a very new area of research for this ex-classicist and I had fun writing it with my colleague @jordanurban.bsky.social
Reposted by Shivani Chivukula
Government 2025: IfG's annual conference
📅 Tuesday 21 January
To kick off the new year, we will bring together influential speakers and experts to explore the key questions for government in 2025.
Register to attend online www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
📅 Tuesday 21 January
To kick off the new year, we will bring together influential speakers and experts to explore the key questions for government in 2025.
Register to attend online www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
December 17, 2024 at 2:46 PM
Government 2025: IfG's annual conference
📅 Tuesday 21 January
To kick off the new year, we will bring together influential speakers and experts to explore the key questions for government in 2025.
Register to attend online www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
📅 Tuesday 21 January
To kick off the new year, we will bring together influential speakers and experts to explore the key questions for government in 2025.
Register to attend online www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...