Thomas Pope

Starmer’s Liverpool Drama Podcast Episode · Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government · 24/09/2025 · 32m

🎧Starmer’s Liverpool Drama?

Ex-No10 adviser Tom
Webb joins the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk podcast to preview the @teamlabouruk.bsky.social conference (& review @libdems.org.uk conf)

With @drhannahwhite.bsky.social @jillongovt.bsky.social @tompope.bsky.social

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/i...

All UK adults to require digital ID under Keir Starmer plan The ‘Brit card’ would be part of efforts to tackle illegal migration by verifying right to live and work in Britain

Fortunately @jillongovt.bsky.social has just written us an excellent explainer on digital ID cards! Everything you need to know here… www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/di...

www.thetimes.com/article/3fed...

The role of procurement in delivering mission-led government | Institute for Government How can the government remove the barriers to its missions?

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

Autumn budget 2025 | Institute for Government On Wednesday 26 November, Rachel Reeves will deliver her second budget as chancellor.

Follow our autumn budget 2025 page for more in the lead up to Reeves' second budget as chancellor on Weds 26 November www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/autumn-budge...

Follow the team @gemmatetlow.bsky.social @tompope.bsky.social @drbenpaxton.bsky.social @danhaile.bsky.social @gilesyb.bsky.social

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.

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

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

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.

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/...

Rachel Reeves should use the budget to reset her fiscal strategy | Institute for Government The chancellor needs to articulate a fiscal and tax strategy.

A deteriorating fiscal outlook since March means Rachel Reeves is likely to need to raise taxes

@danhaile.bsky.social and @tompope.bsky.social argue that Rachel Reeves should use the budget to reset her fiscal strategy www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...

Maybe its time to repost this @instituteforgovernment.org.uk @theifs.bsky.social Chartered Institute of Taxation report from 2017 (!).. If only.. www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

Nice thread James. Do you know which other taxes are driving this £4bn undershoot vs forecast?

How Number 10's strengthened economics team can work for Keir Starmer | Institute for Government There are four key steps to help No10's new economics team succeed.

How Number 10's strengthened economics team can work for Keir Starmer

@gilesyb.bsky.social identifies four key steps to help No10's new economics team succeed.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/numb...

The OBR is not to blame for weak growth When politicians attack independent institutions, we all lose

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

Rachel Reeves should use the budget to reset her fiscal strategy | Institute for Government The chancellor needs to articulate a fiscal and tax strategy.

Rachel Reeves should use the budget to reset her fiscal strategy

A deteriorating fiscal outlook since March means Rachel Reeves is likely to need to raise taxes, argue @danhaile.bsky.social and @tompope.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...

Rachel Reeves should use the budget to reset her fiscal strategy | Institute for Government The chancellor needs to articulate a fiscal and tax strategy.

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.

Latest from me and @danhaile.bsky.social for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Higher interest rates, a productivity downgrade and policy u-turns mean perhaps a c.£20bn forecast deterioration at budget

How should she respond?

1/2

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...

This is moving in exactly the wrong direction! Education & meaningful activity in prison is crucial to reducing violence and improving outcomes

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...)

Brilliant panel for this event starting soon. Do follow along online.

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

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...

Once we make it into the office... 🚉 we'll be back tomorrow with analysis on the, now rather big, reshuffle

Excellent (as ever) sleuthing by Penelope on one of the massive holes in available data in the criminal justice system — in this case yet another on the ‘single justice procedure’, the process for prosecuting low-level offences based on paper submissions, with no court hearing.

Educational outcomes across England | Institute for Government Examining the performance gaps in schools.

NEW REPORT: how does where you live and your background affect how you do at school?

- Inequalities have widened around the country and between groups of children since the pandemic

- Progress depends on sharing what works to support disadvantaged pupils & cutting high absence

🧵👇

Delivering on the promise of power England's new wave of mayoral strategic authorities (MSAs) now hold more powers than ever before – across areas such as transport, skills and housing. But the devolution...

📰 New (open access) article from me in The MJ

Setting out a 5 stage roadmap for Strategic Authorities as they develop local economic strategies

www.themj.co.uk/delivering-p...

Rachel Reeves should allow local tourist taxes | Institute for Government If mayors use the ‘right to request’ to call for tourist taxes, then the government should say yes.

if Mayors ask to be allowed to levy tourist taxes, let them - @instituteforgovernment.org.uk blog by me and @tompope.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach... - time to end HMT control freakery

Rachel Reeves should allow local tourist taxes | Institute for Government If mayors use the ‘right to request’ to call for tourist taxes, then the government should say yes.

Rachel Reeves should allow local tourist taxes

If mayors use the ‘right to request’ to call for tourist taxes, then the government should say yes, say @tompope.bsky.social and @jillongovt.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...

The Leveson review | Institute for Government The Leveson review is welcome – but doesn’t address the most fundamental problem in the courts.

My take on the Leveson review! Restricting jury trials would cut the case backlog & if you’re going to do it, this is a good model. BUT it isn't necessary. Leveson's argument is based on rising demand - when the real problem is poor productivity. 🧵

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/leve...

This Friday marks one year since the general election.

Over the course of this week, the IfG will be reviewing how much progress – or not – the Labour government has made on delivering its priorities.

Adult social care across England | Institute for Government Examining the care gap in England.

NEW REPORT: how does access to adult social care vary across time and around England? We show:

- Fewer adults receive care than 20 years ago
- There is wide range in access between councils

Some of that is for good reason, but some not

🧵👇

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

How strategic authorities can develop effective local economic plans | Institute for Government Local economic strategies can be powerful drivers of prosperity and growth.

New report from me & @tompope.bsky.social

We explore how strategic authorities can develop effective economic strategies - providing insights for local leaders and officials looking to develop robust strategies & strengthen their local economies

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