Thomas Pope
@tompope.bsky.social
1.3K followers 350 following 99 posts
Deputy Chief Economist @instituteforgov.bsky.social On Twitter @tompope0
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tompope.bsky.social
Yes I think so... The Block Grant Adjustment for SDLT would go to zero, so all else equal the grant from Westminster to Scotland/Wales under Barnett would increase. If the cut were funded by cuts to spending on devolved areas, it would mostly net off
tompope.bsky.social
My instant reaction to Badenoch's stamp duty announcement for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Stamp duty is a bad tax. But abolishing it without a broader reform of property taxes would be a missed opportunity and hard to afford.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/kemi...
Kemi Badenoch’s promise to abolish stamp duty has ducked tax trade-offs | Institute for Government
Do Kemi Badenoch's stamp duty sums add up?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Reposted by Thomas Pope
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 Thomas Pope
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
Reposted by Thomas Pope
njdavies.bsky.social
NEW REPORT: @instituteforgovernment.org.uk finds that confused missions, pervasive risk aversion, poor data quality, insufficient commericial capability, and a failure to focus on outcomes means that govt is failing to make the most of £400bn+ a year it spends on procurement
The role of procurement in delivering mission-led government | Institute for Government
How can the government remove the barriers to its missions?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
tompope.bsky.social
So Reeves should
Choose sensible tax increases this autumn, even if that means revisiting tax pledges

Set out tax strategy for reform over the parliament with clear principles and objectives

Some ideas for what that might look like in the paper
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
3/3
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
tompope.bsky.social
As Reeves looks to raise revenue, she will be tempted to follow previous chancellors and an eclectic grab bag of tax raisers that further complicate the system

But that would be a mistake, even if it is easiest in short-term. It will harm growth and leave chancellor without a narrative on tax 2/3
tompope.bsky.social
Nice thread James. Do you know which other taxes are driving this £4bn undershoot vs forecast?
Reposted by Thomas Pope
gemmatetlow.bsky.social
Very good piece from Meg Hillier on the dangers of political attacks on independent institutions like the OBR on.ft.com/3VV7p5Y The OBR is not to blame for weak growth
The OBR is not to blame for weak growth
When politicians attack independent institutions, we all lose
on.ft.com
tompope.bsky.social
Now is not a good time for more borrowing, and tax rises are almost certain.

Beyond specific measures, Reeves needs a new fiscal - and tax - strategy to stop being buffeted by smallish shocks every few months

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...
2/2
Rachel Reeves should use the budget to reset her fiscal strategy | Institute for Government
The chancellor needs to articulate a fiscal and tax strategy.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
Reposted by Thomas Pope
cassiarowland.bsky.social
This is moving in exactly the wrong direction! Education & meaningful activity in prison is crucial to reducing violence and improving outcomes
Reposted by Thomas Pope
rebeccamckee.bsky.social
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...)
tompope.bsky.social
Brilliant panel for this event starting soon. Do follow along online.
instituteforgovernment.org.uk
TODAY: Delivering the government’s economic growth mission: What is the role of the industrial strategy?

Join us live at 12:30 as we explore how the industrial strategy can unlock growth across frontier sectors and the steps required to make it work www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/delive...
A banner from the Institute for Government advertising it's event called 'Delivering the government’s economic growth mission: What is the role of the industrial strategy?' on Tuesday 9 September, 12:30-13:30