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Matthew Fright @matthewfright.bsky.social · May 2

While we await further election results, here is the current status of political control of the regional mayoralties across England courtesy of @sarahroutley.bsky.social. Further @instituteforgovernment.org.uk analysis will follow throughout the day..

A map from the Institute for Government showing the current result of the four mayoralties up for election in May 2025 as at 10:15 on 2 May 2025 (1 Reform UK, 1 Labour, 2 yet to be announced). The other mayoralties have Labour mayors with the exception of Tees Valley which has a Conservative mayor.

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Matthew Fright @matthewfright.bsky.social · May 1

With polls open for local and mayoral elections in areas across England, check out our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk briefings to see where they are taking place and what roles are up for election.

Sarah Routley @sarahroutley.bsky.social · Apr 29

This Thursday, voters will elect four new regional mayors and 1750 English councillors.

For full details of this year’s local and mayoral elections, head to our @instituteforgovernment.org.uk explainer 👇

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/local-and-mayoral-elections-2025

Local and mayoral elections 2025 | Institute for Government

This Thursday, 1 May 2025, local and mayoral elections will take place in many parts of England.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Millie Mitchell @milliemitchell.bsky.social · Apr 8

Just last week, Andy Burnham was at the @instituteforgov.bsky.social to talk about what the integrated settlement will mean for Greater Manchester.
You can catch up on the event here - www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/keynot...

A keynote speech by Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester | Institute for Government

The IfG was pleased to welcome Rt Hon Andy Burnham to discuss how Greater Manchester will use its expanding devolved powers to drive economic growth.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Millie Mitchell @milliemitchell.bsky.social · Apr 8

MHCLG have just released the outcomes frameworks for Greater Manchester & West Midland's integrated settlements. (Very exciting for any fellow devo enthusiasts!)

Read more here - www.gov.uk/government/c...

Integrated Settlements for Mayoral Combined Authorities

Details of the integrated settlements for Mayoral Combined Authorities.

www.gov.uk

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Sarah Routley @sarahroutley.bsky.social · Apr 7

In a new comment for @instituteforgov.bsky.social I take a look at councils' interim plans for local government reorganisation.

They reveal deep disagreements in many places and a need for strong local leadership.

Read more here 👇

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/coun...

Councils’ divisions over local government reorganisation show need for local leadership | Institute for Government

Local government reorganisation has revealed deep disagreements in many places across England.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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akashpaun.bsky.social @akashpaun.bsky.social · Apr 1

Tomorrow at @instituteforgov.bsky.social we're hosting GM Mayor @andyburnham.bsky.social for a keynote speech.

The mayor will be setting out his vision for the future of Greater Manchester and making the case for further devolution.

Sign up at: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/keynot...

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

"Rushing out policy decisions to chase small forecast revisions is no way to make stable long-term policy."

Follow our IfG experts for our instant reaction to today's spring statement.

@tompope.bsky.social @gemmatetlow.bsky.social @danhaile.bsky.social @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social

A quote from Thomas Pope, IfG deputy chief economist, on the 2025 spring statement:

"Rushing out policy decisions to chase small forecast revisions is no way to make stable long-term policy. Reeves was right to aspire to only one fiscal event a year and should resist the temptation to deviate from this again."

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Millie Mitchell @milliemitchell.bsky.social · Mar 26

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...

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

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Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · Mar 25

Pothole politics risks undermining MHCLG’s efforts to simplify funding

The government’s latest announcement on potholes funding is indicative of wider problems in local government funding, says @rebeccamckee.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/poth...

Pothole politics risks undermining MHCLG’s efforts to simplify funding | Institute for Government

Keir Starmer's plan to fix potholes risks creating more problems.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Millie Mitchell @milliemitchell.bsky.social · Mar 25

Want to know how Greater Manchester plans to deliver with their trailblazing integrated settlement?

Next week, the Institute for Government welcomes Andy Burnham for a keynote speech and in-conversation. Join us using the link below

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

EVENT | A keynote speech by Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester

📅Wednesday 2 April, 13.30-14.45

We are pleased to welcome @andyburnham.bsky.social to discuss how Greater Manchester will use its expanding powers to drive economic growth👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/keynot...

IfG event banner
Event titled 'A keynote speech by Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester' on Wednesday 2 April, 13.30-14.45.
Speakers:
Rt Hon Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester.
Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

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

There's one week left to apply for a Researcher to join our devolution team!

You will have the opportunity to engage with senior policymakers and experts from all parts of the UK.

📅 Applications close on Monday 31 March, 14:00.

Find out more
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/about-us/car...

A job advert to join the IfG's devolution team as a researcher.

This is a permanent position, starting as soon as notice periods allow.

Salary: £32,000 to £37,000 depending on skills and experience.

Deadline: Monday 31 March, 14:00

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

“I’ve spent 10 years in opposition where it’s difficult to change things. I’m not going to spend years in government equally not being able to change things”

Keir Starmer tells @drhannahwhite.bsky.social why he wants to change the way govt works – and why it is his responsibility to make it happen.

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Rebecca McKee @rebeccamckee.bsky.social · Mar 14

📣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/...

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

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Shivani Chivukula @shivanichivukula.bsky.social · Mar 13

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.

Line chart from the Institute for Government of government funding of arm's-length bodies by category, 2013/23-2022/23 (in 2024/25 prices), where funding of NDPBs has increased over the time period but funding of executive agencies and non-ministerial departments has stayed almost flat.

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Millie Mitchell @milliemitchell.bsky.social · Mar 13

LIVE NOW - tune in to hear the Institute for Government's take on Starmer's latest reforms

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

Our webinar on Keir Starmer’s new plan for government reform will be starting shortly.

Watch the livestream - and submit your questions for our expert panel www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/keir-s...

An image for an IfG webinar:

What is Keir Starmer’s new plan for government reform?
Thursday 13 March, 13:00-14:00

Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government
Dr Matthew Gill, Programme Director at the Institute for Government
Hannah Keenan, Associate Director at the Institute for Government

The event will be chaired by Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government.

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Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · Mar 12

As Nicola Sturgeon announces plans to stand down as an MSP at the Holyrood election next year, check out her #MinistersReflect interview in which she discusses her experience as first minister of Scotland and shares her proudest achievements www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/ministers-re...

A quote from Nicola Sturgeon, former first minister of Scotland.

"There is so much I am very proud of. Obviously there are lots of things I wish I'd done better or differently and things that I didn't even try to do that I wish I had [...] I think there will be kids today that grow up into adulthood with better opportunity and better success in life because of [the Scottish Child Payment] policy now making a real difference."

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Tim Durrant @timdurrant.bsky.social · Mar 12

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...

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Millie Mitchell @milliemitchell.bsky.social · Mar 11

To understand why these reforms will make a difference, check out our recent on 'Devolution and Urban Regeneration'.

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

Millie Mitchell @milliemitchell.bsky.social · Mar 11

Good news for mayors in today's Planning and Infrastructure Bill:

📍strengthened powers to create spatial development strategies

📍mayoral development corporations can be used to develop greenfield land as well as regenerating brownfield sites

publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbi...

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Sarah Routley @sarahroutley.bsky.social · Mar 5

Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority held its first board meeting this morning.

What powers will the new combined authority hold? What is the history of devolution to the area?

Find out in my @instituteforgov.bsky.social explainer 👇

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/ma...

Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire | Institute for Government

The first mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire will be elected on 1 May 2025.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Millie Mitchell @milliemitchell.bsky.social · Mar 3

Excellent new IfG report on making a success of delivering local government reorganisation and devolution at the same time.

Read more here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

Matthew Fright @matthewfright.bsky.social · Mar 3

With an ambitious round of local government reorganisation underway alongside the roll out of devolution across England, in our new @instituteforgov.bsky.social report, in partnership with Grant Thornton, we outline how local leaders can successfully deliver both at the same time

A screenshot of the front page of the IfG report produced in partnership with Grant Thornton "Dual Delivery"

Millie Mitchell @milliemitchell.bsky.social · Feb 28

The Mayor of London has launched a consultation on his plans to transform Oxford street using a mayoral development corporation (MDC).

For more about what an MDC is and what powers they have, check out my IfG explainer: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/mayoral-development-corporations

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Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · Feb 25

EVENT: How can the government support mayoral combined authorities to deliver economic growth?

🗓️ Tuesday 11 March, 15:00-16:00

Register now to hear our expert panel featuring local government minister @jimmcmahon.co.uk www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/mayora...

An image for an IfG event.

How can the government support mayoral combined authorities to deliver economic growth?

Tuesday 11 March, 15:00-16:00

Amy Harhoff, Chief Executive of the East Midlands Combined County Authority
Rebecca McKee, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government
Jim McMahon MP, Minister for Local Government and English Devolution
Laura Shoaf, Chief Executive of the West Midlands Combined Authority

This event will be chaired by Akash Paun, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

Introductory remarks will also be delivered by Robert Breedon, Partner and Co-leader of Government Sector at Gowling WLG.

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Ben Paxton @drbenpaxton.bsky.social · Feb 25

Better transparency in public procurement could be a win-win for government and suppliers. New from @sachinsavur.bsky.social and I on making this a reality as this major change in procurement regulation goes live
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/proc...

The Procurement Act is an opportunity for government to reap the benefits of transparency | Institute for Government

New legislation to regulate procurement spending is welcome.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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