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Reposted by Matthew Fright

Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 3d

We're kicking off our final panel discussion of the day at #CPC25 with @livuniheseltine.bsky.social.

Find out about tomorrow's fringe events - or keep an eye on our website for an audio recording www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/ifg-co...

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Reposted by Matthew Fright

Sam Macrory @sammacrory.bsky.social · 3d

Live on BBC news now.

@tompope.bsky.social of @instituteforgovernment.org.uk giving his instant reaction to shadow chancellor Mel Stride’s speech at Conservative Party Conference

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Matthew Fright @matthewfright.bsky.social · 9d

Starting now - a great @instituteforgovernment.org.uk panel at Labour Party Conference: How should the government implement and enhance devolution across the North of England? (Arena Room - Clyde, ACC)

A photo taken of an IfG panel event at the Labour Party Conference

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Matthew Fright @matthewfright.bsky.social · 13d

To find out more, and read the recommendations in full, head to www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

Reorganising district councils and local public services: options and challenges | Institute for Government

How should councils approach local government reorganisation?

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Matthew Fright @matthewfright.bsky.social · 13d

The discussion was informed by the findings of a new report which drew on the experience of senior officers that have led through LGR to recommend how to build new unitary authorities and transform local public services.

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Matthew Fright @matthewfright.bsky.social · 13d

Today is the deadline for two-tier councils on the devolution priority programme to submit their final LGR proposals to ministers. Earlier this week, @instituteforgovernment.org.uk in partnership with Norse Group, held a discussion about the challenges and options facing local leaders

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

📸Local government reorganisation and public service delivery: What are the options and challenges?

Last evening's event was a success! Thank you: @jydenham.bsky.social
Liz Elliott
Justin Galliford
Rachel Joyce
@matthewfright.bsky.social

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/local-...

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Matthew Fright @matthewfright.bsky.social · 14d

This evening, 1730-1830, @instituteforgovernment.org.uk and Norse Group have lined up a great panel to discuss the findings of a new report on local government reorganisation and public service delivery. Signup details at:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/local-...

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Matthew Fright @matthewfright.bsky.social · 16d

Or sign up to this great panel event where we will discuss the main report findings. Wednesday 24 September 2025, 17:30-18:30
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/local-...

Local government reorganisation and public service delivery: What are the options and challenges? | Institute for Government

This event will explore how to ensure a seamless transfer of district council functions and services to new unitary authorities.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Matthew Fright @matthewfright.bsky.social · 16d

To read the full recommendations and the experiences of senior officers that have led in earlier rounds of LGR head to www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

Reorganising district councils and local public services: options and challenges | Institute for Government

How should councils approach local government reorganisation?

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Matthew Fright @matthewfright.bsky.social · 16d

To do so the paper recommends local leaders should:
- Decide which services to prioritise for transformation amid capacity constraints
- Tailor transformation strategies around the chosen geographic footprint
- Strengthen enabling functions like HR teams and integrated ICT platforms

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Matthew Fright @matthewfright.bsky.social · 16d

Yet, if delivered successfully, LGR may offer a unique opportunity to define local governance for a generation by generating financial savings, exploiting emerging technologies and delivering public services more efficiently.

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Matthew Fright @matthewfright.bsky.social · 16d

As one interviewee put it "launching LGR is easy; aggregating district council functions, disaggregating county council functions and devising and executing transformation programmes is when the hard work begins."

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Matthew Fright @matthewfright.bsky.social · 16d

From culture clashes within the new organisations, to incompatible IT systems, the report has many examples of the practical challenges that the new authorities will have to face. All told there is a significant longtail - upward of five years - that will follow the creation of the new authorities.

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Matthew Fright @matthewfright.bsky.social · 16d

This is a big task in itself as one interviewee put it "staff were shattered on day one" But... The job doesn’t finish there; it will take considerable time and effort to embed new structures and deliver the transformation of local public services that the government is aiming for.

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Matthew Fright @matthewfright.bsky.social · 16d

Establishing new unitary authorities that can deliver safe and legal services from day one is a significant challenge especially given the sector’s weakened strategic capacity following years of financial strain, rising service demands and staff shortages in key posts.

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Matthew Fright @matthewfright.bsky.social · 16d

What are the main findings?

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Matthew Fright @matthewfright.bsky.social · 16d

Our new report examines what this means for the delivery of district council services such as planning, waste collection and the administration of local taxation. These councils also currently play an important role in fostering local community engagement.

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Matthew Fright @matthewfright.bsky.social · 16d

In December 2024, the govt notified councils it would launch a new LGR round and in February 2025 invited leaders in all two-tier council areas and 19 neighbouring unitary authorities to reorganise.

An Institute for Government map showing the 164 district councils and 21 unitary authorities that have been asked to reorganise by the government

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Matthew Fright @matthewfright.bsky.social · 16d

In the week devolution priority areas submit their local government reorganisation (LGR) plans to ministers today the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk published a new report looking at the challenges and options facing local leaders as they reorganise councils and district services 🧵

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Matthew Fright @matthewfright.bsky.social · 29d

Join us for what promises to be a compelling conversation with a stellar line up: John Denham, Liz Elliot, Justin Galliford, and Rachel Joyce will explore the challenges and opportunities facing local government leaders as they reshape public services.

Sign up now to be part of the discussion

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Matthew Fright @matthewfright.bsky.social · 29d

Although it was unfortunate to postpone yesterday’s event, I’m delighted to be chairing our rescheduled panel discussion on local government reorganisation and public service delivery on 24 September.

Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · Sep 8

📆 🚨 EVENT POSTPONED🚨 📆

Today's event has been postponed due to ongoing strike action

‼️ New Date: 24 September ‼️

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Reposted by Matthew Fright

Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · Sep 9

Fascinating analysis from @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social on the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk blog of the new ministers: 14 of the 19 new MPs in their first ministerial role were previously parliamentary private secretaries

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/st...

A table from the IfG showing the parliamentary private secretary roles that newly-appointed ministers held before being appointed - the original table is available at https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/starmer-reshuffle-september-2025

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Matthew Fright @matthewfright.bsky.social · Sep 5

For the latest updates and insights on the new-look Starmer cabinet, head over to the Institute for Government liveblog

Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · Sep 5

LIVEBLOG!

We've fired up the IfG reshuffle liveblog.

Essential for all the latest information as Keir Starmer reshapes his team.

Packed with data, charts, details and analysis about all the ministerial moves.

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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Matthew Fright @matthewfright.bsky.social · Jul 16

Thank you for posting this Henry, as ever, some great research. My initial instinct was yes some kind of briefing should have occurred. Current reporting has neither confirmed nor denied this happened.

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Matthew Fright @matthewfright.bsky.social · Jul 16

Insightful thread outlining how Parliament can and has been engaged previously for secret spend situations. Interested to learn whether similar approaches were used for the Afghanistan Response Route.

Henry Midgley @henrymidgley.bsky.social · Jul 16

Really interesting story but it doesn't cover an important angle. Was the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee
told about this expenditure? That might sound odd but in the past often it has been the Chair of the PAC who would have been told about secret spending like this.

Lucy Fisher @lucyfisher.ft.com · Jul 15

How one of the gravest security lapses in history was kept secret

The story of the super-injunction: the global gagging order sought by successive UK govts to silence media over leak that put thousands at risk of Taliban reprisals

By Alistair Gray & me 👇 #AfghanFiles

www.ft.com/content/dbba...

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