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Reposted by Philip Nye

Thomas Pope @tompope.bsky.social · 14d

New @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report by me, @gemmatetlow.bsky.social and @jillongovt.bsky.social on how Reeves should approach tax this Autumn

With tax rises inevitable, Reeves should reject path of least resistance and embrace tax reform 1/3

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

The 2025 budget and beyond: How Rachel Reeves can approach tax reform to help drive growth | Institute for Government

A big autumn approaches for the chancellor.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Reposted by Philip Nye

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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Reposted by Philip Nye

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

PODCAST 🎙️ The Mandelson misjudgement

@catneilan.bsky.social joins @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @jillongovt.bsky.social to discuss the dramatic end of Peter Mandelson’s time in Washington.

PLUS: @philipnye.bsky.social on Keir Starmer's first reshuffle
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...

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Philip Nye @philipnye.bsky.social · 26d

I'm on the pod this week talking all things _government_ reshuffle

(Also features others talking _ambassadorial_ reshuffle)
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/podcast/insi...

The Mandelson misjudgement | Institute for Government

The Observer’s Cat Neilan joins the podcast team to weigh up the dramatic end of Mandelson’s time in Washington.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Reposted by Philip Nye

Rebecca McKee @rebeccamckee.bsky.social · 26d

Following a couple of changes yesterday afternoon among the junior ranks here is the latest state of play for Starmer's government after the reshuffle from @instituteforgovernment.org.uk 👇

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Reposted by Philip Nye

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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Philip Nye @philipnye.bsky.social · Sep 8

We've started the IfG's reshuffle live blog up again this morning

@rebeccamckee.bsky.social, @jackpannell.bsky.social and I will be leading the analysis, with expert commentary of the weekend's action from the IfG's whole team

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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Reposted by Philip Nye

Cassia Rowland @cassiarowland.bsky.social · Sep 5

We've had a few surprising moves in this reshuffle so far - one of the big ones is Shabana Mahmood becoming home secretary. On our liveblog I've given a bit of an overview of what she'll face coming in:
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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Reposted by Philip Nye

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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Philip Nye @philipnye.bsky.social · Sep 3

We now have discussion of how well the #FOI system is working, with:
- John Edwards, the Information Commissioner
- Lord Falconer, former Lord Chancellor
- Lynn Wyeth, of the Campaign for FOI

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/foi-ac...

The second set of speakers at the IfG's event, plus host Gavin Freeguard

Philip Nye @philipnye.bsky.social · Sep 3

Great lineup for this event
marking 25 years since the passing of the #FOI Act and 20 years since it came into force - being streamed online here:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/foi-ac...

The panel at the IfG's event on the FOI act

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Philip Nye @philipnye.bsky.social · Aug 28

Bikes on trains review: Brussels to London with Eurostar

Again, the in-person experience with Eurostar is very smooth: hand over your bike in Brussels and you get it back on the platform at St Pancras. Only the cost (£45) and the booking experience being the mark down

2.5/5

#Bikesky

My bike at the Eurostar terminal in Brussels

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Philip Nye @philipnye.bsky.social · Aug 26

Bikes on trains review: Liège to Brussels Centrale with SNCB

A very easy transition at Liège and step-free access to the train. There are six of us in this carriage with bikes so far - five regular, one folding - and I think you could fit nearly as many again

All very simple, 4.5/5

#bikesky

My bike on the train from Liege to Brussels

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Philip Nye @philipnye.bsky.social · Aug 26

Bikes on trains review: Aachen to Liege with SNCB

Again, a small train which does have dedicated bike space (+), but up a couple of quite big steps (-). And €4 for the bike from Aachen to Brussels.

A firmly middling experience, 3/5

#bikesky

My bike in front of the entrance to the bike carriage on the train

My bike, secured in the carriage's bike spaces

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Philip Nye @philipnye.bsky.social · Aug 22

Bikes on trains review: Welkenraedt to Aachen with SNCB

Onto a smaller train to cross into Germany. Dedicated bike spaces are a plus - but there are a couple of steps to get into the carriage, which isn't too easy with a loaded up bike

3/5

#bikesky

My bike on the train from Welkenraedt to Aachen

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Philip Nye @philipnye.bsky.social · Aug 22

Bikes on trains review: Gent to Welkenraedt with SNCB

The first leg of a cross-border journey (BE->DE), making booking a bike space slightly less easy. Loads of room for bikes though - seven spaces in this carriage and more elsewhere. Still cheap at €4/bike for the whole journey too.

4/5

#bikesky

My bike, secured with a strap in the carriage of the SNCB train

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Philip Nye @philipnye.bsky.social · Aug 20

Yes, I've not had chance to try it there yet!

Philip Nye @philipnye.bsky.social · Aug 20

Bikes on trains review: Brussels to Gent

As we might expect, Belgium does bikes on trains well

Things to like:
✅ All handled through the SNCB app (no paper ticket!)
✅ App shows you where the bike carriage is on the train
✅ Loads of space

Where it drops marks:
❌ €4 bike supplement

4.5/5 #bikesky

A photo of my bike on the IC train from Brussels to Gent

A screenshot of the SNCB app showing my ticket and my bike supplement

A screenshot of the SNCB app with a diagram showing where the bike carriage is on the train

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Philip Nye @philipnye.bsky.social · Aug 20

Coda: Eurostar are apparently updating their booking process - ending the daft system where you can only book a bike spot by email *after* having booked for yourself. To which we say: allez, Eurostar ⏩👏

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Philip Nye @philipnye.bsky.social · Aug 20

Bikes on trains review: London to Brussels with Eurostar

A very mixed experience. Booking a bike space was a farce - even less easy than normal (and £45 for the privilege). But the on-the-day experience is very straightforwpard - hand off your bike and meet it in Brussels

2/5

#Bikesky

A photo of the front of my bike in St Pancras International

A photo of my bike in Eurostar Travel Services' office, waiting to be handed over

A photo of an instructions sheet from Eurostar explaining where to collect bikes from in Brussels

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Philip Nye @philipnye.bsky.social · Aug 18

Congrats!

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Reposted by Philip Nye

Hannah Keenan @hannahkeenan.bsky.social · Aug 8

Civil service in a real bind atm. Incentives to move job rapidly + recruitment freezes blocking space to move = unhappy workforce.

My radical Friday thought: if you don't want people (civil servants) to do stuff (move jobs at a v high rate), then don't give them incentives to do that?

Fundamental changes are needed to address civil service frustration | Institute for Government

Voluntary exit schemes will not be enough to deal with structural problems in the civil service

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

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Philip Nye @philipnye.bsky.social · Jul 30

Bikes on trains review: Rugby to Euston with Avanti

Okay, there wasn't supposed to be an Avanti leg to this journey

I use them regularly though and I have to say I like their end-of-train storage. Big credit too for their staff getting us on at Rugby in a hurried mass changeover

4.5/5 #bikesky

My bike in an end-of-train bike carriage onboard an Avanti train

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Philip Nye @philipnye.bsky.social · Jul 30

Bikes on trains review: Crewe to Euston with London Northwestern

Now this is a less positive experience. Yes, there's a marked bike space on the train. But it lacks any straps to hold a bike in place

We've had one topple - now hoping I can hold things in place with my panniers

2/5 #bikesky

My bike on the London Northwestern Railway train - with my panniers holding the bike in place

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Philip Nye @philipnye.bsky.social · Jul 30

Bikes on trains review: Manchester Piccadilly to Crewe with Transport for Wales

Space for a couple of bikes halfway up the train, which I've been able to make a booking for. Seems I'm the only one wanting to use the space - all in all, a very straightforward experience

4/5

#bikesky

My bike, secured in the bike space on a Transport for Wales train

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