Amber Dellar

instituteforgovernment.org.ukUK Government and Public Services Researchers | Institute for GovernmentTwo roles available now to join the Institute for Government.

As a holder of the public services role, I thoroughly recommend it. If you want your work to be about ways to make people's lives better, you like exploring data, and you like writing, this is pretty much a dream job!

Ben Paxton@drbenpaxton.bsky.social

We're looking for people to join our public services and UK government teams at the IfG. If you're interested how government can work better for people, do apply! (or tell someone who you think would be interested) www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/about-us/car...

Amber Dellar reposted

@hannahkeenan.bsky.social

NEW: Starmer's public service inheritance was bleak. His govt made some progress improving services. But also launched a messy set of reforms Burnham has set out a positive vision but has a mountain to climb to deliver all his promises 🧵 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

Amber Dellar reposted

Max Warner

@maxwarner.bsky.social

1. New Treasury stats out today suggest that departments made significant efficiencies and savings in 2025–26. They report savings of 4.1% from ‘efficiency, savings, and productivity’, well above the 2024 Autumn Budget target of 2%. What should we take from these figures? 🧵

Amber Dellar reposted

Nick Davies

@njdavies.bsky.social

Next week my hugely knowledgeable @instituteforgovernment.org.uk colleagues will be discussing how Andy Burnham can deliver on Labour’s promise to improve public services Register here for insight on the NHS, local gov, schools and criminal justice: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/andy-b...

Amber Dellar reposted

Hannah Keenan

Wrote a substack for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk on why we should think about devolution / government in terms of distributed intelligence, not hierarchy and pushing down decision making. In case octopus brains and governance are also your thing...

instituteforgov.substack.comOcto-govWhy we should think of government less like a hierarchy of powers and more like an octopus brain

Amber Dellar reposted

Nick Davies

@njdavies.bsky.social

We’re recruiting a researcher for the newly expanded @instituteforgovernment.org.uk public services team (and for a researcher in the UK govt team). If you’re interested in public services policy and want to work for (imho) the best team at IfG the please apply! Application close 1 Nov

instituteforgovernment.org.ukUK Government and Public Services Researchers | Institute for GovernmentTwo roles available now to join the Institute for Government.

Amber Dellar reposted

Rebecca McKee

@rebeccamckee.bsky.social

We are hiring! TWO new researcher roles, one with me (and my wonderful colleagues) in the UK government team. Take a look, shout if you have any questions and please do send this on to anyone you think would be interested! www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/about-us/car...

Amber Dellar reposted

instituteforgovernment.org.ukPerformance Tracker 2026: Criminal justice system | Institute for GovernmentThe Starmer government made fragile progress on criminal justice, but sustaining this requires further action and difficult political choices.

NEW REPORT: Under Keir Starmer, England and Wales’s failing criminal justice services made tentative steps towards improvement. But the new government has already put this fragile progress at risk and real improvement requires more difficult political choices. 🧵

tes.comOur incoherent school system is getting in the way of reformThe complicated structure of our school system is a problem for Andy Burnham because his education policies require a level of coordination that isn’t currently achievable, says Amber Dellar from the…

Why school structures matter for Andy Burnham’s public service reform agenda A piece I wrote for Tes, drawing on our Performance Tracker report published last week

Tes magazine@tesmagazine.bsky.social

‘The incoherence of England’s school system threatens to derail not only this government’s education priorities but also its flagship public service reforms,' writes @amberdellar.bsky.social of @instituteforgovernment.org.uk, arguing the split nature of our education system can no longer be ignored

instituteforgovernment.org.ukPerformance Tracker 2026: Schools | Institute for GovernmentThe government must better measure success across its school priorities and set out a clear long-term vision for the structure of the school system.

In case you missed it:

NEW: Plans to reduce EHCPs look optimistic and Burnham's public service reforms still need a plan for schools In our first IfG Performance Tracker chapter, funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org, we look at how the government is performing on its schools agenda [1/9]

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So, we recommend DfE reviews its timetable for reducing reliance on EHCPs. If ministers no longer believe that timetable is achievable, they should either revise it, or strengthen the reforms needed to deliver it. [8/9]

theguardian.comLabour Send changes at risk as parents rush to secure support, say expertsOverhaul of special education in England could unravel, thinktank finds, because of ‘use it before you lose it’ dynamic

@theguardian.com have done a great write up in today's paper. And I will be posting another thread over the next few days to talk about more of the report's findings! [9/9]

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And until the law is changed, councils will remain bound by the current legal framework for EHCP eligibility. [6/9]

3️⃣There is a risk that reforms themselves could fuel demand for EHCPs in the short-term. With uncertainty over what will replace EHCPs, who will qualify, and the fact that children who secure one before 2029 will retain it, the reforms create a “use it before you lose it” dynamic. [7/9]

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There are a few more reasons to doubt the feasibility of the govt's projections: 1️⃣ Govt is starting from a higher level than it expected. It made its projections using 2025 data, but EHCPs rose by a record amount (13%) between 2025 and 2026. [4/9]

2️⃣ It assumes EHCP growth will slow *before* its reforms are fully rolled out in 2030. It's unclear how this will happen. Investments made now will take time to bear fruit - as govt recognised when it opted for a slower, phased approach to reform. [5/9]

Govt has a huge amount riding on its ability to make progress reducing EHCPs: - Getting to a preventative SEND system - Political credibility - Meeting its spending plans for this parliament [2/9]

But the assumptions baked into reform plans look optimistic. If growth in EHCPs continues at the average rate of the last few years (rather than accelerate further as it has consistently done) almost 1 in 10 pupils would be receiving an EHCP by 2030. DfE’s modelling puts that figure at 7.7%. [3/9]

Amber Dellar reposted

instituteforgovernment.org.ukDesigning better incapacity benefits | Institute for GovernmentPersonalising benefits and support is key to helping disabled people into work.

The first excellent installment in this year's Performance Tracker looks at the state of the schools system in England Read below for info on: - the impact of SEND reforms - what academisation means for Burnham's reform agenda - progress on teacher recruitment And more

Amber Dellar@amberdellar.bsky.social

Amber Dellar reposted

Giles Wilkes

@gilesyb.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/education/20... Important @instituteforgovernment.org.uk by @amberdellar.bsky.social leading the news

Amber Dellar reposted

Ben Paxton

@drbenpaxton.bsky.social

NEW IfG report out today on how government should approach reforming health and disability benefits The big takeaway: the system needs to better match people’s needs to the right support - through assessment reform, political leadership and more... www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...

Amber Dellar reposted

open.spotify.comThe Prisoner Release Scheme: Lurching From One Crisis to Another? Plus The Fatal Immorality of Mark Zuckerberg.Double Jeopardy - UK Law and Politics · Episode

2 Sept

I was really pleased to join @kenmacdonald.bsky.social and Tim Owen on their Double Jeopardy podcast this morning to talk about early releases from prisons: what's actually going on, and why? Have a listen, or check out the IfG explainer: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainer/pr...

Amber Dellar reposted

Schools Week

@schoolsweek.bsky.social

3 Aug

Ministers have no plans to reopen the previous government’s curriculum and assessment review as part of education reforms announced by the prime minister, Schools Week understands schoolsweek.co.uk/government-d...

schoolsweek.co.ukBurnham government won't reopen curriculum reviewEducation secretary Lucy Powell also understood to be committed to existing reform timetable

Amber Dellar reposted

gov.ukRewiring the State – Cabinet Statement (HTML)

31 July

This is a genuinely exciting announcement about Burnham's intention for public service reform There are some potentially massive changes to the way that services are funded and operate A few things that jumped out at me 👇 www.gov.uk/government/p...

Amber Dellar reposted

instituteforgovernment.org.ukBurnham can’t take the politics out of social care reform | Institute for GovernmentThe new PM will have to prioritise to make progress on social care during this parliament

30 July

New comment: PM buy-in is needed to reform adult social care, so yesterday's speech was positive And political consensus would help. But waiting for consensus shouldn't stop reform, else Burnham risks becoming the latest PM to fail on social care www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/article/comm...

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Ben Zaranko

@benzaranko.bsky.social

28 July

Sensible policy klaxon 🚨 Currently, if a 16 year old chooses to stay in school/college, their family can keep claiming benefits as before (notably child benefit). If they opt for an apprenticeship, the benefits stop. The system discourages apprenticeships. The DWP just announced a fix 🧵

Amber Dellar reposted

instituteforgovernment.org.ukThe government must focus on public protection when it comes to prison releases | Institute for GovernmentThere are no easy answers to meeting the prison capacity challenge.

24 July

The new prime minister is about to run out of prison spaces. Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. But once again, there are no easy answers and just cancelling early releases is not a solution. The focus must be on public protection - including better protection in the community. 🧵

instituteforgovernment.org.ukBurnham’s devolution agenda can lay strong foundations for public service reform | Institute for GovernmentThe new PM needs to align the boundaries of services in local areas.

23 July

Some may say I'm biased... but I think this is a great piece Have a read!

Stuart Hoddinott@stuarthoddinott.bsky.social

NEW BLOG: organisational boundaries in local govt, the NHS and police do not match up That's a problem for Burnham's devo ambitions He should intervene now to create an aligned system that paves the way for future public services devo More 👇 www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/burn...

Amber Dellar reposted

Zachary Leather

@zackleather.resolutionfoundation.org

22 July

Replying to @zackleather.resolutionfoundation.org

Burnham’s instincts to turn to transport first are on the pulse of public opinion, the public service that people across the country seem most dissatisfied with

Amber Dellar reposted

Paddy McAlary

@paddy-mcalary.bsky.social

22 July

🚨NEW REPORT from @instituteforgovernment.org.uk on government and academia How has the relationship changed? What does government still need to do to make the best of the UK’s leading research ecosystem? Thoughtful thoughts (and a link) from @teodorgrama.bsky.social below 👇👇

Teodor Grama@teodorgrama.bsky.social

For those who want a break from Burnham news… NEW @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report out today by @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social, Saudamini Sigdel and I on how govt can better engage with researchers & bring their evidence, insights and expertise into policy making.

instituteforgovernment.org.ukGovernment and academia: How government can better engage with researchers | Institute for GovernmentGovernment has made great strides in opening itself up to inputs from the UK’s world-leading university sector – but it can do still more.

Amber Dellar reposted

Schools Week

@schoolsweek.bsky.social

21 July

Breaking: The schools minister Georgia Gould has been re-appointed as a Department for Education minister in Andy Burnham’s government, with her exact brief unconfirmed schoolsweek.co.uk/schools-mini...

schoolsweek.co.ukSchools minister Georgia Gould stays on at DfE in reshuffleLondon MP and key Starmer ally will remain a DfE minister, but with her exact role unconfirmed

Amber Dellar reposted

Megan Bryer

@meganbryer.bsky.social

21 July

Burnham’s cabinet is the first to achieve gender parity. And the Office for Equality and Opportunity will move to the MHCLG with Bridget Phillipson remaining in post as Minister for Women and Equalities. Here’s our IfG breakdown of what yesterday’s announcements mean for women in government … 🧵

Amber Dellar reposted

Rosa Hodgkin

@rosahodgkin.bsky.social

As Ed Miliband looks set to leave DESNZ a short 🧵on the department's achievements with him as minister and where there's still work to do:

Amber Dellar reposted

Heloise Dunlop

@hcdunlop.bsky.social

instituteforgovernment.org.ukAndy Burnham’s ID card surprise is very unsurprising | Institute for GovernmentKeir Starmer’s digital ID plan was a lesson in how not to approach policy making.

@jillongovt.bsky.social and I had a report ready to go but were pipped to the post by Burnham’s (predictable) decision to bring digital ID to an end. There were too many questions to answer and little that had been decided, making it an easier (and popular) decision than most will be for Burnham!

Jill Rutter@jillongovt.bsky.social

First concrete decision from Burnham govt - binning the digital ID scheme - new comment from @hcdunlop.bsky.social and me @instituteforgovernment.org.uk www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/andy... Not a surprise and good to move quickly ..but will still need a view on other govt ID work

Amber Dellar reposted

instituteforgovernment.org.ukBurnham’s first reshuffle should resist a sweeping change of junior ministers | Institute for GovernmentBeyond refreshing his Cabinet, keeping most ministers in their current roles is Burnham’s best chance of getting things done in government.

Replying to @cassiarowland.bsky.social

Moving people like Josh MacAlister & Georgia Gould in education, or Sarah Jones on the policing brief, would be a mistake. It would slow down or derail reform programmes while new ministers got up to speed, wasting more time and effort. Great piece from @timdurrant.bsky.social here

bigissue.comCovid effectively ended rough sleeping. So where did it all go wrong?The Everyone In scheme virtually ended rough sleeping during the Covid pandemic but five years on homelessness has surged to new heights.

Good news, and... One of the big positives in the Starmer govt’s approach was its move beyond a narrow focus on rough sleeping. Burnham should make sure this pledge sits within a broader prevention strategy - not simply drive more spending on poor-value temporary accommodation to meet the target

James Ball@jamesrball.com

Ending rough sleeping is a nice pledge to hear – but worth noting it's *much* easier to achieve than ending homelessness. We pretty much managed it during Covid, but things got worse again rapidly. www.bigissue.com/news/housing...

Amber Dellar reposted