Rebecca McKee
@rebeccamckee.bsky.social
1.8K followers 570 following 250 posts
Senior Researcher at @instituteforgovernment.org.uk working across constitution/parliament and local growth/regional economic policy. Former academic and citizens' assembly organiser 🫶
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Reposted by Rebecca McKee
sammacrory.bsky.social
And here's a new @instituteforgovernment.org.uk explainer by @jillongovt.bsky.social on how stamp duty works (and whether Kemi Badenoch's plan to abolish it is sensible..)

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/st...
rebeccamckee.bsky.social
Of course the fact I'm posting this might mean my peak hours are just 5-8pm...
rebeccamckee.bsky.social
I hate this about myself but I think it's finally time to admit that I am the type of person who writes better/more in the evening

Are there any self help books out there for recovering academics?
rebeccamckee.bsky.social
That is absolutely wild, to me 20-30 is totally normal, over or under on a regular basis is incomprehensible
rebeccamckee.bsky.social
Not sure our friendship can withstand this shocking news
rebeccamckee.bsky.social
Feeling very alienated over here with my 27 tabs open across 3 windows on my laptop

I'm currently working on 3 different projects, so one window for each helps to keep me organised *or that's what I tell myself
yougov.co.uk
How many browsing tabs do you typically have open?*

1: 6%
2-5: 54%
6-10: 14%
11-20: 8%
21-30: 2%
More than 30: 3%

*across all windows, on desktop/laptop

yougov.co.uk/topics/techn...
rebeccamckee.bsky.social
It can be difficult to keep momentum going and resource this work once a strategy is published but implementing the plan well is vital - including communicating and engaging with businesses, investors and residents and insuring growth, housing, transport and net zero plans link together
rebeccamckee.bsky.social
With expert panellists @mayaellismp.bsky.social Mayor Steve Rotherham and Professor Lisa Collins we talked about how places that have a good understanding of their economy, and existing economic strategies can maintain momentum and deliver on their plans.
rebeccamckee.bsky.social
Last week the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk travelled north to Liverpool for the Labour Party Conference 2025.

At our event on the Monday, with @uniofsurrey.bsky.social & chaired by @tompope.bsky.social we explored how local places can maximise the benefits of devolution to drive growth
rebeccamckee.bsky.social
I was joined by expert panellists Baroness Pinnock, Cllr @lornadupre.bsky.social and Professor Lisa Collins to discuss how local places especially those at an earlier stage can best prepare for new powers and build good foundations for growth as they develop their plans
rebeccamckee.bsky.social
A the end of last month @instituteforgovernment.org.uk headed to Bournemouth for the Liberal Democrat Party Conference 2025

We held an event in partnership with @uniofsurrey.bsky.social exploring how local places can ensure devolution delivers economic growth, chaired by @tompope.bsky.social
Reposted by Rebecca McKee
sammacrory.bsky.social
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
Reposted by Rebecca McKee
stuarthoddinott.bsky.social
But now we're back to this sort of nonsense

I'm sure public toilets are needed. But why put up more barriers to accessing funding?

And then there's this baffling array of funds worth tiny amounts of money. All designed with good intentions, but why not just increase LAs grant funding instead!
Reposted by Rebecca McKee
stuarthoddinott.bsky.social
The govt published its strategy to revitalise local communities last week

There is a heavy focus on directing funding to high streets and community spaces, which is part of the reason for declining "pride in place"

But it seems misguided for a few reasons

Short thread

www.gov.uk/government/p...
Pride in Place Strategy
The Pride in Place Strategy will help build stronger communities, create thriving places and empower local people.
www.gov.uk
Reposted by Rebecca McKee
njdavies.bsky.social
If (shock horror) you managed to miss @instituteforgovernment.org.uk at Labour conference then have no fear. Audio from all our events is now online. This includes 3 events I chaired: implementing govt's health reforms, delivering preventative healthcare, and rebuilding the criminal justice system
IfG at the Labour Party Conference 2025 | Institute for Government
The IfG was in Liverpool for the Labour Party Conference 2025.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Reposted by Rebecca McKee
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Recording a Labour Party Conference Inside Briefing special in Liverpool.

Watch out for our instant reaction to Keir Starmer's #Lab25 speech with special guest @sophiestowers.bsky.social and the IfG's @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @cathhaddon.bsky.social @alexgathomas.bsky.social 👀🎧
A group of people recording a podcast
Reposted by Rebecca McKee
gemmatetlow.bsky.social
As trailed in the papers earlier, Reeves's speech did roll the pitch for tax rises in the Budget - pointing to 14 years of weak growth creating a fiscal problem and the foolhardiness of simply ignoring fiscal constraints (she said there was "nothing progressive" about that)...
rebeccamckee.bsky.social
I really enjoyed this, great discussion with an excellent panel. If you didn't make it there'll be a recording on our website soon!

Lots on how places can keep momentum up and deliver on economic growth strategies
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Devolution is key to delivering sustainable regional growth across the country. But how can local places maximise the benefits of it to drive growth?

We will discuss at 15:00 with @mayaellismp.bsky.social @lcrmayor.bsky.social @uniofsurrey.bsky.social - join us in Clyde Room #Lab25 zurl.co/Uq6yT
Reposted by Rebecca McKee
stuarthoddinott.bsky.social
This interview is so much worse than the headline lets on