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Daniel Howes @howesdaniel.bsky.social · 20d

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...

Civil service staff numbers | Institute for Government

Who exactly are civil servants and how many are there?

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Alfie Pannell @alfiepannell.bsky.social · 22d

Trump's decaf decertification ends months of anxiety in #Colombia — where soaring #cocaine production has stoked fears of sweeping #U.S. sanctions — but deals a symbolic blow to a country that has historically been one of #Washington's closest allies in the region.

www.npr.org/2025/09/16/n...

For first time in decades, U.S. says Colombia is falling short in drug war

For the first time in decades, the U.S. has decertified Colombia as a drug control partner — a symbolic blow to one of Washington's closest allies in Latin America.

www.npr.org

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Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · 23d

Huge new numbers of MPs have been appointed as parliamentary private secretaries in the reshuffle. The government needs to use them well to rebuild links with its MPs, rather than just as a way to buy some of them off

Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 23d

Although PPSs play an important part in maintaining links between ministers and the wider parliamentary party, expanding the payroll vote is no substitute for good party management, says @timdurrant.bsky.social

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/expa...

Expanding the payroll vote is no substitute for good party management | Institute for Government

Keir Starmer's government has the joint highest number of PPSs.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Jack Pannell @jackpannell.bsky.social · 26d

Labour has announced their new PPSs, not part of government, but expected to vote with the party. Just one of the 52 signed the reasoned amendment to the welfare bill.

So no ministers and just one PPS from those that rebelled. Indicates a clear approach to MP dissidence from the leadership.

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Rebecca McKee @rebeccamckee.bsky.social · 27d

Here's the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk 'seven things we learned from Keir Starmer's reshuffle' from @jackpannell.bsky.social @timdurrant.bsky.social and I with data from @philipnye.bsky.social & our now updated Ministers Database

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/seve...

Seven things we learned from Keir Starmer’s first reshuffle | Institute for Government

What does the prime minster’s first major reshuffle tell us about his new-look government?

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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meganbryer.bsky.social @meganbryer.bsky.social · 28d

Angela Rayner's resignation on Friday means that a contest to replace her as deputy leader of the Labour Party has started.

Read my first explainer at the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk to find out how the process will work, who is running, and when will we find out who Rayner's successor will be!

Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 28d

Angela Rayner has stepped down as deputy leader of the Labour Party.

So who is in the running to replace her? How will the process work? And when will we find out who Rayner's successor will be?

Read our new explainer from @meganbryer.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/20...

The 2025 Labour Party deputy leader contest | Institute for Government

Angela Rayner has stepped down as deputy leader of the Labour Party. Who is in the running to replace her and how will the process work?

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Tilda Martin @matildamartin.bsky.social · 28d

I reported earlier this year that Labour peers were calling for new limits on debates following an increase in the number of votes taking place in the early hours

This doesn't seem to have changed - Ben Riley-Smith highlights a 3:47am finish this morning
www.politicshome.com/news/article...

Labour Peers Want New Rules For Lords Debates After A Rise In Midnight Sittings

Labour peers are calling for new limits on House of Lords debates after what they describe as an increase in the number of votes taking place in th...

www.politicshome.com

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Jack Pannell @jackpannell.bsky.social · 28d

With nominations for deputy leader closing tomorrow, @meganbryer.bsky.social has you covered for how the Deputy leadership election will run, who is in the running, and when we can expect Rayner's successor to take up their post.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/20...

The 2025 Labour Party deputy leader contest | Institute for Government

Angela Rayner has stepped down as deputy leader of the Labour Party. Who is in the running to replace her and how will the process work?

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Rebecca McKee @rebeccamckee.bsky.social · 29d

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...)

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Jack Pannell @jackpannell.bsky.social · Sep 5

As the second reshuffle of the week kicks off, we have launched our liveblog. We will be covering all the ins and outs as well as top analysis from our IfG experts.

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

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Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · Sep 5

Posting this again because now I’ve had chance to look at it in detail - Starmer is *well* ahead of other recent PMs when it comes to resignations at this point in their tenure.

Not all because of scandal (though several are) - also higher pressure and expectations on ministers generally?

Jack Pannell @jackpannell.bsky.social · Sep 5

With Rayner stepping down we have hit 10 minister's who have oficially resigned from this government. Make sure you are following @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social @timdurrant.bsky.social @rebeccamckee.bsky.social meganbryer.bsky.social for what Starmer will do next with his minsiterial team.

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Sam Freedman @samfr.bsky.social · Sep 5

Reshuffle has started

Lucy Powell out as Leader of the Commons

Ian Murray out as Scottish Secretary

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Paddy McAlary @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social · Sep 5

While all eyes have been on Angela Rayner's big announcement, she was not the only minister to go - reports are that Poppy Gustafsson has resigned as UK investment minister meaning 11 ministers have officially resigned (and 1 has been sacked) from the government since the GE

A step chart from the Institute for Government showing ministerial resignations outside reshuffles, 1979 to 5 September 2025. Eleven ministers have resigned from Starmer's government before he started his first reshuffle and one has been sacked.

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Jack Pannell @jackpannell.bsky.social · Sep 5

With Rayner stepping down we have hit 10 minister's who have oficially resigned from this government. Make sure you are following @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social @timdurrant.bsky.social @rebeccamckee.bsky.social meganbryer.bsky.social for what Starmer will do next with his minsiterial team.

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Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · Aug 26

📎REPORT: Hybrid bills: Parliament’s role in delivering major infrastructure

Hybrid bills help approve major infrastructure projects, but recent cases show inefficiencies. This paper suggests reforms to improve the process and unlock the potential of hybrid bills.

Read the report:👇
zurl.co/m7cUv

Hybrid bills: Parliament’s role in delivering major infrastructure | Institute for Government

How to improve the hybrid bill legislative process.

zurl.co

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Rebecca McKee @rebeccamckee.bsky.social · Jul 24

New report from my colleagues @jackpannell.bsky.social & @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social on hybrid bills and parliament's role in delivering the government's major infrastructure projects

Excellent insight into these bills and the reform that's needed

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

Hybrid bills: Parliament’s role in delivering major infrastructure | Institute for Government

How to improve the hybrid bill legislative process.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · Jul 24

Hybrid bills: Parliament’s role in delivering major infrastructure

@jackpannell.bsky.social and Patrick McAlary uncover key issues around hybrid bills and provide recommendations that will assist future infrastructure projects.

Read the report:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

Hybrid bills: Parliament’s role in delivering major infrastructure | Institute for Government

How to improve the hybrid bill legislative process.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Ruth Fox @ruthfox.bsky.social · Jun 26

The Government cramming Committee, Report & 3rd Reading into 1 day the week after 2nd Reading (so much for intervals between stages...) means if they pull the Bill they will have 2 days of Commons business to fill. But of greater concern is that this timetable has important implications for...

Josiah Mortimer @josiah.writes.news · Jun 26

Wednesday 9th of July will see the committee of the Whole House and remaining stages of the Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment Bill. That's very soon, assuming nothing changes.... (will head to the Lords after that AFAIK)

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Cath Haddon @cathhaddon.bsky.social · Jun 24

So....

Some of us are old enough to remember when the Truss govt got itself into a complete mess (worse mess) by confusion over confidence votes.

The PM has now said he doesn't see it as a confidence vote *in him*

But to be clear, confidence votes are A Thing.

Quick 🧵

Mark Chadbourn @chadbourn.bsky.social · Jun 24

Labour whips are now ringing round rebels on the benefit reform bill to tell them it’s a confidence vote on Starmer.

Which may not go as well as they hope.

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Paddy McAlary @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social · Jun 17

📣New @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report & guide on ministerial leadership during crises

Most government ministers will face a crisis of one type or another in office – and this can be make or break. So how can a minister successfully prepare for crises and what roles can they play? 🧵

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Stuart Hoddinott @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social · Jun 10

Most of the focus ahead of the SR has been on how much money depts get. That's understandable, money makes a difference

But it's not just about the amount of money, but how departments spend it

Here's a summary of how we think the govt can spend money on public services more effectively

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Jill Rutter @jillongovt.bsky.social · May 16

At our @ukandeu.bsky.social @fpalondon.bsky.social briefing yesterday @anandmenon.bsky.social said that for many politicians Brexit was in the past. So I asked @jackpannell.bsky.social @instituteforgovernment.org.uk to crunch some numbers on how many MPs now were in Parliament in 2016

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Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · Mar 17

#IWD2025 and modernising parliament: Lucy Powell

🎧 Listen to our event with the leader of the @houseofcommons.parliament.uk on the role of women in parliament and how the Modernisation Committee can help make the House more accessible and inclusive www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/intern...

International Women's Day and modernising parliament: Lucy Powell in conversation with Hannah White | Institute for Government

To mark IWD 2025, Rt Hon Lucy Powell MP, Leader of the House of Commons, spoke about the modernisation of parliament.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Hannah White @drhannahwhite.bsky.social · Mar 13

So this is rather special! Keir Starmer joined us on our Inside Briefing podcast today for an in-depth chat about his plans for civil service reform - landing in your podcast feed tonight!

Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · Mar 13

We’ve just recorded this week’s Inside Briefing - with the prime minister joining us following today’s speech in Yorkshire.

@drhannahwhite.bsky.social’s interview with Keir Starmer will be landing in your podcast feeds tonight www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/our-podcasts...

Keir Starmer sitting at a table while being interviewed by Dr Hannah White. He is wearing a navy suit jacket. Hannah is wearing a green jacket. Behind him is a banner which says Institute for Government.

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Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · Mar 13

We’ve just recorded this week’s Inside Briefing - with the prime minister joining us following today’s speech in Yorkshire.

@drhannahwhite.bsky.social’s interview with Keir Starmer will be landing in your podcast feeds tonight www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/our-podcasts...

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