Millie Mitchell

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.

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..

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.

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.

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...

Integrated Settlements for Mayoral Combined Authorities ​Details of the integrated settlements for Mayoral Combined Authorities.

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...

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.

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...

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...

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."

"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

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?

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...

Pothole politics risks undermining MHCLG’s efforts to simplify funding | Institute for Government Keir Starmer's plan to fix potholes risks creating more problems.

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...

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

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

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...

“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.

How the government can support better decision making in mayoral combined authorities | Institute for Government Making England’s ‘devolution revolution’ a reality.

📣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/...

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.

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.

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

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."

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...

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...

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

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

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...

Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire | Institute for Government The first mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire will be elected on 1 May 2025.

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...

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/...

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

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.

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...

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.

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...

New Ministers Reflect interviews from @instituteforgov.bsky.social out now!

Clare Short, John Denham and Matt Hancock discuss setting up new departments, dealing with the centre of government and facing era defining crises like the the pandemic

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/ministers-re...

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The govt has formally invited local government reorganisation proposals from councils in 21 two-tier areas and 19 unitaries.

But how can these areas make a success of it? Our next
@instituteforgov.bsky.social devolution event will try to answer this question and many more.

Register now 👇

How the mayor of Liverpool City Region is addressing local skills shortages | Institute for Government Further skills devolution should be high on mayors' wish lists.

New blog on how the mayor of Liverpool City Region is addressing local skills shortages.

As part of a wider research project into devolution & skills for @instituteforgov.bsky.social

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/live...

We’re looking at how UK public inquiries are run & want to explore international models

If you
✅ Have experience with public inquiries/similar models internationally (or know someone who has)
✅Know of insightful reports on international models of public inquiry

📣 We’d love to hear from you!

Labour’s Devolution Priority Programme is welcome – but the government must be alert to the delivery challenges | Institute for Government What is the government proposing in its latest devolution plan?

Labour’s plans to extend devolution to more of England’s regions represent a positive step towards completing the map of English devolution.

But the government must be alert to the delivery challenges www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/labo...