Tim Durrant
@timdurrant.bsky.social
Programme Director at the Institute for Government - interested in how government works and how it can work better
🏳️🌈
🏳️🌈
Reposted by Tim Durrant
Agree with needing to remove civil service poor performers more easily. Not sure this 'goes unsaid' as Stride says though - civil servants raise it regularly with us and @alexgathomas.bsky.social wrote about it earlier this year.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/civi...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/civi...
Pat McFadden is right: the civil service needs to lose poor performers | Institute for Government
It is time to introduce regular civil service compulsory redundancy rounds.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
January 13, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Agree with needing to remove civil service poor performers more easily. Not sure this 'goes unsaid' as Stride says though - civil servants raise it regularly with us and @alexgathomas.bsky.social wrote about it earlier this year.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/civi...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/civi...
Reposted by Tim Durrant
Stride says need a smaller civil service that can attract the best talent and seeks it eternally. Give big rewards to high performers, don't spread rewards widely and thinly across everyone. Strengthen poor performance management and stop poor performers being moved between depts.
January 13, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Stride says need a smaller civil service that can attract the best talent and seeks it eternally. Give big rewards to high performers, don't spread rewards widely and thinly across everyone. Strengthen poor performance management and stop poor performers being moved between depts.
Reposted by Tim Durrant
👀
(Digital ID consultation launching soon)
(Digital ID consultation launching soon)
Darren Jones tells the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk conference that he’s confident public support for digital id will increase over the coming year - will be interesting to see if that is the case
January 13, 2026 at 3:23 PM
👀
(Digital ID consultation launching soon)
(Digital ID consultation launching soon)
For the final discussion in the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk’s Government 2026 conference, shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride, is giving a speech - watch on our website here:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
January 13, 2026 at 4:55 PM
For the final discussion in the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk’s Government 2026 conference, shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride, is giving a speech - watch on our website here:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
Darren Jones tells the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk conference that he’s confident public support for digital id will increase over the coming year - will be interesting to see if that is the case
January 13, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Darren Jones tells the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk conference that he’s confident public support for digital id will increase over the coming year - will be interesting to see if that is the case
At the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk annual conference, Darren Jones sets out what his role is all about: recognising that delivery is different to policy, getting comms clear about government successes, and exercising the authority of the PM across the system
January 13, 2026 at 2:50 PM
At the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk annual conference, Darren Jones sets out what his role is all about: recognising that delivery is different to policy, getting comms clear about government successes, and exercising the authority of the PM across the system
Reposted by Tim Durrant
A great post from @samfr.bsky.social today showing that sometimes the small wins have a big impact. The digital transformation chapter in the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Whitehall Monitor 2026 highlights the fact that digital successes rely on collaboration and leadership. (1/3)
New post just out:
"Troubleshooters"
How fixing the many small frustrations - that make up most of our interactions with the state - can give people faith in goverment's ability to make things work.
And help create a different Whitehall culture.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
"Troubleshooters"
How fixing the many small frustrations - that make up most of our interactions with the state - can give people faith in goverment's ability to make things work.
And help create a different Whitehall culture.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
Troubleshooters
How to get people believing in the state again
open.substack.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:22 PM
A great post from @samfr.bsky.social today showing that sometimes the small wins have a big impact. The digital transformation chapter in the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Whitehall Monitor 2026 highlights the fact that digital successes rely on collaboration and leadership. (1/3)
Reposted by Tim Durrant
Starting now, your key briefing on the upcoming Senedd, Holyrood and English local elections in May
Elections 2026: How could votes in England, Scotland and Wales reshape British politics? - is starting in 15 minutes!
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
January 13, 2026 at 1:36 PM
Starting now, your key briefing on the upcoming Senedd, Holyrood and English local elections in May
Reposted by Tim Durrant
I updated some analysis looking at the key drivers of civil servant engagement
Using data from the Civil Service People Survey, I found that civil servants’ day-to-day work and the leadership they receive drive engagement much more than factors such as the L&D offer or pay
Using data from the Civil Service People Survey, I found that civil servants’ day-to-day work and the leadership they receive drive engagement much more than factors such as the L&D offer or pay
January 13, 2026 at 1:34 PM
I updated some analysis looking at the key drivers of civil servant engagement
Using data from the Civil Service People Survey, I found that civil servants’ day-to-day work and the leadership they receive drive engagement much more than factors such as the L&D offer or pay
Using data from the Civil Service People Survey, I found that civil servants’ day-to-day work and the leadership they receive drive engagement much more than factors such as the L&D offer or pay
Reposted by Tim Durrant
We’ve today published Whitehall Monitor 2026
As well as being your guide to whether Labour is making progress on rewiring the state (A: definitely still a work in progress) it also contains some fantastic data viz
Some of my highlights 🧵
As well as being your guide to whether Labour is making progress on rewiring the state (A: definitely still a work in progress) it also contains some fantastic data viz
Some of my highlights 🧵
January 13, 2026 at 1:25 PM
We’ve today published Whitehall Monitor 2026
As well as being your guide to whether Labour is making progress on rewiring the state (A: definitely still a work in progress) it also contains some fantastic data viz
Some of my highlights 🧵
As well as being your guide to whether Labour is making progress on rewiring the state (A: definitely still a work in progress) it also contains some fantastic data viz
Some of my highlights 🧵
Reposted by Tim Durrant
Great to see coverage of Gov26 @instituteforgovernment.org.uk annual conference and we’re not even halfway through the day…
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Wes Streeting attacks centre-left for ‘excuses culture’ of blaming civil service
In remarks that will be seen as criticism of Starmer allies, health secretary says own side are helping right ‘roll the pitch’
www.theguardian.com
January 13, 2026 at 12:26 PM
Great to see coverage of Gov26 @instituteforgovernment.org.uk annual conference and we’re not even halfway through the day…
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Tim Durrant
Andy Burnham: state does need to change - particularly the elected state (Westminster). Mixed bag. Impressed by MHCLG, what govt can do when it puts its mind to something. OTOH, Whitehall depts taking contradictory positions, even resisting growth mission
January 13, 2026 at 12:04 PM
Andy Burnham: state does need to change - particularly the elected state (Westminster). Mixed bag. Impressed by MHCLG, what govt can do when it puts its mind to something. OTOH, Whitehall depts taking contradictory positions, even resisting growth mission
Reposted by Tim Durrant
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/...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Whitehall Monitor 2026 | Institute for Government
Labour’s efforts to ‘rewire the state’ aren’t addressing longstanding workforce problems.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
January 13, 2026 at 10:06 AM
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/...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Reposted by Tim Durrant
👇In which I explain that while civil service reform may not be the most glamorous thing a government could focus on, they absolutely need to do it. A year and a half on from entering gov the civil service hasn't meaningfully changed. Gov needs a plan to make that happen.
January 13, 2026 at 10:45 AM
👇In which I explain that while civil service reform may not be the most glamorous thing a government could focus on, they absolutely need to do it. A year and a half on from entering gov the civil service hasn't meaningfully changed. Gov needs a plan to make that happen.
Reposted by Tim Durrant
Government is looking for efficiencies within its tight spending plans: 16% back office cuts, 'technical' efficiencies as big as the MoJ budget (£13.8bn) and a reheated Sunak-era blanket 5% savings target
Some thoughts on how these all add up from the IfG's Whitehall Monitor report out today...
Some thoughts on how these all add up from the IfG's Whitehall Monitor report out today...
January 13, 2026 at 10:26 AM
Government is looking for efficiencies within its tight spending plans: 16% back office cuts, 'technical' efficiencies as big as the MoJ budget (£13.8bn) and a reheated Sunak-era blanket 5% savings target
Some thoughts on how these all add up from the IfG's Whitehall Monitor report out today...
Some thoughts on how these all add up from the IfG's Whitehall Monitor report out today...
Reposted by Tim Durrant
Fantastic to see Whitehall Monitor 2026 published today!
It's jam-packed full of analysis on all things civil service. A quick thread on what we found on civil service pay..
It's jam-packed full of analysis on all things civil service. A quick thread on what we found on civil service pay..
📢NEW REPORT📢
Every year @instituteforgovernment.org.uk sets out the latest on the civil service - size, professions, pay, morale. You name it, we analyse it. This year's report is out today.
If you're interested in state capacity, you should be interested in what's happening in the civil service. 🧵
Every year @instituteforgovernment.org.uk sets out the latest on the civil service - size, professions, pay, morale. You name it, we analyse it. This year's report is out today.
If you're interested in state capacity, you should be interested in what's happening in the civil service. 🧵
Whitehall Monitor 2026 | Institute for Government
Labour’s efforts to ‘rewire the state’ aren’t addressing longstanding workforce problems.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
January 13, 2026 at 10:14 AM
Fantastic to see Whitehall Monitor 2026 published today!
It's jam-packed full of analysis on all things civil service. A quick thread on what we found on civil service pay..
It's jam-packed full of analysis on all things civil service. A quick thread on what we found on civil service pay..
Reposted by Tim Durrant
LC: "At whatever point we decided that the only way you could get £500 a year pay rise was a promotion. Well they were wrong. So fix it."
Yep. Gov needs to allow pay progression in role. It might sound small, but this stuff matters. New report out today makes the case for this change among others.
Yep. Gov needs to allow pay progression in role. It might sound small, but this stuff matters. New report out today makes the case for this change among others.
Whitehall Monitor 2026 | Institute for Government
Labour’s efforts to ‘rewire the state’ aren’t addressing longstanding workforce problems.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
January 13, 2026 at 10:10 AM
LC: "At whatever point we decided that the only way you could get £500 a year pay rise was a promotion. Well they were wrong. So fix it."
Yep. Gov needs to allow pay progression in role. It might sound small, but this stuff matters. New report out today makes the case for this change among others.
Yep. Gov needs to allow pay progression in role. It might sound small, but this stuff matters. New report out today makes the case for this change among others.
Louise Casey says everyone in the civil service needs to be someone who "grips and fixes" things - while also thinking long-term and strategically
January 13, 2026 at 10:07 AM
Louise Casey says everyone in the civil service needs to be someone who "grips and fixes" things - while also thinking long-term and strategically
Reposted by Tim Durrant
Says yes ministerial churn, inconsistency and behaviours have been part of the cause… but civil service can’t “stabilise things to the point you’re intransigent to change”
January 13, 2026 at 10:04 AM
Says yes ministerial churn, inconsistency and behaviours have been part of the cause… but civil service can’t “stabilise things to the point you’re intransigent to change”
Reposted by Tim Durrant
Baroness Louise Casey is now discussing her work across the public sector with @drhannahwhite.bsky.social
Watch live:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
Watch live:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
January 13, 2026 at 9:44 AM
Baroness Louise Casey is now discussing her work across the public sector with @drhannahwhite.bsky.social
Watch live:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
Watch live:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/govern...
Reposted by Tim Durrant
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.
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.
📢NEW REPORT📢
Every year @instituteforgovernment.org.uk sets out the latest on the civil service - size, professions, pay, morale. You name it, we analyse it. This year's report is out today.
If you're interested in state capacity, you should be interested in what's happening in the civil service. 🧵
Every year @instituteforgovernment.org.uk sets out the latest on the civil service - size, professions, pay, morale. You name it, we analyse it. This year's report is out today.
If you're interested in state capacity, you should be interested in what's happening in the civil service. 🧵
Whitehall Monitor 2026 | Institute for Government
Labour’s efforts to ‘rewire the state’ aren’t addressing longstanding workforce problems.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
January 13, 2026 at 8:54 AM
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.
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.
Reposted by Tim Durrant
Wes Streeting kicking off our conference
“Our fortunes are in our hands”. Says government needs to take control of turning around the pessimism about government.
“Our fortunes are in our hands”. Says government needs to take control of turning around the pessimism about government.
January 13, 2026 at 8:45 AM
Wes Streeting kicking off our conference
“Our fortunes are in our hands”. Says government needs to take control of turning around the pessimism about government.
“Our fortunes are in our hands”. Says government needs to take control of turning around the pessimism about government.
Reposted by Tim Durrant
Wes Streeting at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Government 2026 conference: 'the British state is like a shopping trolley with a wonky wheel' and needs direction
January 13, 2026 at 8:34 AM
Wes Streeting at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk Government 2026 conference: 'the British state is like a shopping trolley with a wonky wheel' and needs direction
Reposted by Tim Durrant
In not-very-veiled-criticism, he says of his own side: "They complain about the civil service. They blame stakeholder capture. This excuses culture does the centre-left no favours
"And we should be in no doubt that they are excuses. We are not simply at the mercy of forces outside of our control."
"And we should be in no doubt that they are excuses. We are not simply at the mercy of forces outside of our control."
January 13, 2026 at 8:48 AM
In not-very-veiled-criticism, he says of his own side: "They complain about the civil service. They blame stakeholder capture. This excuses culture does the centre-left no favours
"And we should be in no doubt that they are excuses. We are not simply at the mercy of forces outside of our control."
"And we should be in no doubt that they are excuses. We are not simply at the mercy of forces outside of our control."
Not sure parcel tracking companies are the best analogy of a functioning digital service - Wes Streeting has clearly not had something "delivered" by Evri...
January 13, 2026 at 8:36 AM
Not sure parcel tracking companies are the best analogy of a functioning digital service - Wes Streeting has clearly not had something "delivered" by Evri...