A short piece from me in Civil Service World this week outlining the key arguments from mine and @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social's new paper on the relationship between ministers and the civil service. We draw on the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's fantastic Ministers Reflect archive...
Read below!
Megan Bryer
"Ministers need to set the conditions for success by communicating their priorities and preferences clearly to officials" www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
Great to be up in Edinburgh at Prosper Forum 26 - looking forward to hearing what the FM has to say about his government’s objectives
Really interesting insights from Harriet on how the local election results will affect how mayoral authorities work:
EVENT | How can government close the early years attainment gap for boys from low-income families?
📅Thursday 18 June 2026, 12:30-13:30
Join us as we explore how government can better serve children at risk of being ‘left behind’ in their earliest years.
Here are the steps both sides should take to begin repairing the relationship
Excellent new piece by @meganbryer.bsky.social on a new @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report on relationships between ministers and the civil service - drawing on our extensive Ministers Reflect archive of interviews and IfG recommendations
Lessons for both ministers and the civil service
Civil Service World
Tim Durrant
Tim Durrant
Institute for Government
Rebecca McKee
"Ministers need to set the conditions for success by communicating their priorities and preferences clearly to officials" www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
EVENT | Lessons from Covid: How to avoid fraud in future crises?
📅Thursday 11 June 2026, 12:30-13:30
Join us as we put together an expert panel to explore what government should do to ensure more robust checks and balances ahead of the next crisis.
Here are the steps both sides should take to begin repairing the relationship
ICYMI: Great thread from Megan looking at her and @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social's latest paper from @instituteforgovernment.org.uk, on what ministers have told us about their views on the civil service
Civil Service World
Institute for Government
Tim Durrant
I've spent a lot of time thinking about this conundrum and, about a decade ago, ran a small cross-party programme on tech literacy for MPs. A quick 🧵 about why MPs know so little about tech.
A new paper published today by @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social and me draws on the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's archive of interviews with former ministers to set out, in ministers’ own words, their experience of working with the civil service... 🧵
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
The absolute lack of understanding of how tech works by Government ministers is embarrassing and frankly, in 2026 100% unacceptable and inexcusable.
Barking.
1/ I’ve set out why recent local election gains by opposition parties – especially Reform UK – could make it harder for Labour mayors in the North and Midlands to get things done.
A quick thread 🧵
What can ministers learn from their predecessors' work with the civil service?
Jess Phillips says that tech companies are all "lying" and that they know "exactly how old" every user is.
(The proof, according to Phillips? She gets menopause ads and her children don't.)
Harriet Shaw
Video
Sophie E. Hill
Reform UK’s local election gains pose new challenges for Labour mayors
Fragmented local politics will make agreement harder to secure at the regional level and reshape how mayors govern, says @shawharriet.bsky.social
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/refo...
The gains of opposition parties in the May 2026 local elections could make it harder for Labour’s regional mayors to deliver.
