Stuart Hoddinott
@stuarthoddinott.bsky.social
Associate Director in the public services team
@InstituteforGov. Interested in the NHS, adult social care, and local government. All views my own. He/him
@InstituteforGov. Interested in the NHS, adult social care, and local government. All views my own. He/him
Pinned
Performance Tracker 2025: Local government overview | Institute for Government
The government is making good progress towards rebalancing local government funding. But the sector shows signs of mounting financial distress.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
NEW REPORT: Local authorities have been struggling with pressures from austeirty for years, but there are signs that pressure is now particularly acute
As a result, they are having to make tough decisions about finances and services
🧵👇 on findings
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
As a result, they are having to make tough decisions about finances and services
🧵👇 on findings
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Mostly, I wish govt better communicated the trade offs. Voters want lower immigration? Ok, it means:
- not helping people from Ukraine and Hong Kong
- higher taxes to pay British carers more
- higher uni fees/grants to keep HE afloat
Instead govt makes incompatible promises which infuriates voters
- not helping people from Ukraine and Hong Kong
- higher taxes to pay British carers more
- higher uni fees/grants to keep HE afloat
Instead govt makes incompatible promises which infuriates voters
This is an excellent, level-headed, informative piece. I'd kill for a government which could discuss the issue with the same sense of objectivity and calm.
Here's this week's column. Please - please - can we stop talking about migration in a way that's completely detached from the facts? www.theguardian.com/business/202...
November 30, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Mostly, I wish govt better communicated the trade offs. Voters want lower immigration? Ok, it means:
- not helping people from Ukraine and Hong Kong
- higher taxes to pay British carers more
- higher uni fees/grants to keep HE afloat
Instead govt makes incompatible promises which infuriates voters
- not helping people from Ukraine and Hong Kong
- higher taxes to pay British carers more
- higher uni fees/grants to keep HE afloat
Instead govt makes incompatible promises which infuriates voters
Agree with every word of this
We've gone from 9% of social care staff coming from outside the UK and EEA in 2021/22 to almost 25% in 2024/25
The govt has no near-term replacement
It means either:
1) staffing shortages or
2) councils spending far more to attract staff, with no extra funding
We've gone from 9% of social care staff coming from outside the UK and EEA in 2021/22 to almost 25% in 2024/25
The govt has no near-term replacement
It means either:
1) staffing shortages or
2) councils spending far more to attract staff, with no extra funding
November 28, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Agree with every word of this
We've gone from 9% of social care staff coming from outside the UK and EEA in 2021/22 to almost 25% in 2024/25
The govt has no near-term replacement
It means either:
1) staffing shortages or
2) councils spending far more to attract staff, with no extra funding
We've gone from 9% of social care staff coming from outside the UK and EEA in 2021/22 to almost 25% in 2024/25
The govt has no near-term replacement
It means either:
1) staffing shortages or
2) councils spending far more to attract staff, with no extra funding
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
The government *did do* what was right for the country - and what its MPs believed was right: lifting 450,000 children out of poverty.
Politics isn’t just polling or tactics. It’s using power to advance your values. The government acted on its values and improved opportunities for ~ 1.6m children.
Politics isn’t just polling or tactics. It’s using power to advance your values. The government acted on its values and improved opportunities for ~ 1.6m children.
Headline on The World at One just now:
"Sir Keir Starmer has denied putting the Labour Party before the country by ending the two-child benefit cap".
Can we please go back to reporting the actual news, not someone's partisan take on it?
"Sir Keir Starmer has denied putting the Labour Party before the country by ending the two-child benefit cap".
Can we please go back to reporting the actual news, not someone's partisan take on it?
November 27, 2025 at 2:43 PM
The government *did do* what was right for the country - and what its MPs believed was right: lifting 450,000 children out of poverty.
Politics isn’t just polling or tactics. It’s using power to advance your values. The government acted on its values and improved opportunities for ~ 1.6m children.
Politics isn’t just polling or tactics. It’s using power to advance your values. The government acted on its values and improved opportunities for ~ 1.6m children.
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
Proposed changes to spending controls are incredibly positive. As @instituteforgovernment.org.uk has previously noted, the cumulative complexity of controls muddies accountability, makes govt a worse customer, and wastes time and money. We asked govt to review and that's exactly what they've done
November 26, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Proposed changes to spending controls are incredibly positive. As @instituteforgovernment.org.uk has previously noted, the cumulative complexity of controls muddies accountability, makes govt a worse customer, and wastes time and money. We asked govt to review and that's exactly what they've done
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
"Either damaging cuts to unprotected services or fictitious spending numbers"
Read @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social verdict on today's budget and what it means for public services on our live blog www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/au...
Read @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social verdict on today's budget and what it means for public services on our live blog www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/au...
November 26, 2025 at 4:09 PM
"Either damaging cuts to unprotected services or fictitious spending numbers"
Read @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social verdict on today's budget and what it means for public services on our live blog www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/au...
Read @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social verdict on today's budget and what it means for public services on our live blog www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/au...
Key chart for public services
Govt is back to pencilling in undeliverable plans to hit its fiscal rules
After taking out likely funding for protected areas, other departments will have to absorb 3.3% annual real terms cuts. That includes prisons, courts, and local govt, among others
Govt is back to pencilling in undeliverable plans to hit its fiscal rules
After taking out likely funding for protected areas, other departments will have to absorb 3.3% annual real terms cuts. That includes prisons, courts, and local govt, among others
November 26, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Key chart for public services
Govt is back to pencilling in undeliverable plans to hit its fiscal rules
After taking out likely funding for protected areas, other departments will have to absorb 3.3% annual real terms cuts. That includes prisons, courts, and local govt, among others
Govt is back to pencilling in undeliverable plans to hit its fiscal rules
After taking out likely funding for protected areas, other departments will have to absorb 3.3% annual real terms cuts. That includes prisons, courts, and local govt, among others
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
The Public Services Performance Tracker is regularly described as ‘sobering’ but this is definitely the first time we’ve had ‘almost lyrical’
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
November 26, 2025 at 11:05 AM
The Public Services Performance Tracker is regularly described as ‘sobering’ but this is definitely the first time we’ve had ‘almost lyrical’
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Great Guardian editorial that draws on our Performance Tracker findings for local government
And completely agree with the last line:
"True renewal will require the fiscal headroom to allow local govt to expand its gaze beyond crisis management"
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
And completely agree with the last line:
"True renewal will require the fiscal headroom to allow local govt to expand its gaze beyond crisis management"
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on renewing municipal England: the Tories’ malign legacy lives on | Editorial
Editorial: Labour is putting in place some laudable reforms. But councils need to be given financial sustainability and enabled to move beyond crisis management
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Great Guardian editorial that draws on our Performance Tracker findings for local government
And completely agree with the last line:
"True renewal will require the fiscal headroom to allow local govt to expand its gaze beyond crisis management"
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
And completely agree with the last line:
"True renewal will require the fiscal headroom to allow local govt to expand its gaze beyond crisis management"
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
✂️One to watch - will Rachel Reeves promise unspecified spending cuts for back end of parliament, in what could be election year?
November 26, 2025 at 8:57 AM
✂️One to watch - will Rachel Reeves promise unspecified spending cuts for back end of parliament, in what could be election year?
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
It's Budget Day - follow my fantastic @instituteforgovernment.org.uk colleagues @gemmatetlow.bsky.social, @danhaile.bsky.social, @drbenpaxton.bsky.social, @philipnye.bsky.social, @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social and others for all the latest!
And check out their live blog here for in-depth analysis:
And check out their live blog here for in-depth analysis:
LIVE BLOG | Autumn budget 2025: Rachel Reeves prepares to announce tax measures | Institute for Government
IfG experts analyse Reeves' budget and explore what the chancellor's plans for the economy, tax and spending mean.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 26, 2025 at 8:35 AM
It's Budget Day - follow my fantastic @instituteforgovernment.org.uk colleagues @gemmatetlow.bsky.social, @danhaile.bsky.social, @drbenpaxton.bsky.social, @philipnye.bsky.social, @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social and others for all the latest!
And check out their live blog here for in-depth analysis:
And check out their live blog here for in-depth analysis:
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
It feels like budget has been going for weeks but a good live-blog starts the day before. Lots from @instituteforgovernment.org.uk before the big day
▪️What has govt already announced?
▪️Will they change fiscal strategy?
▪️What to look out for on tax?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/au...
▪️What has govt already announced?
▪️Will they change fiscal strategy?
▪️What to look out for on tax?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/au...
LIVE BLOG | Autumn budget 2025: Rachel Reeves prepares to announce tax measures | Institute for Government
IfG experts analyse Reeves' budget and explore what the chancellor's plans for the economy, tax and spending mean.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 25, 2025 at 5:07 PM
It feels like budget has been going for weeks but a good live-blog starts the day before. Lots from @instituteforgovernment.org.uk before the big day
▪️What has govt already announced?
▪️Will they change fiscal strategy?
▪️What to look out for on tax?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/au...
▪️What has govt already announced?
▪️Will they change fiscal strategy?
▪️What to look out for on tax?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/au...
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
In a new departure, we @instituteforgovernment.org.uk are going to be live blogging the Budget all through tomorrow. The live blog is now live and we will be sharing our pre-Budget thoughts there, followed by responses once we hear the CX's speech www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/au...
LIVE BLOG | Autumn budget 2025: Rachel Reeves prepares to announce tax measures | Institute for Government
IfG experts analyse Reeves' budget and explore what the chancellor's plans for the economy, tax and spending mean.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 25, 2025 at 3:36 PM
In a new departure, we @instituteforgovernment.org.uk are going to be live blogging the Budget all through tomorrow. The live blog is now live and we will be sharing our pre-Budget thoughts there, followed by responses once we hear the CX's speech www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/live-blog/au...
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
Another great edition of @hpiandycowper.bsky.social's newsletter. This week it features the Covid inquiry, @instituteforgovernment.org.uk analysis of the NHS, and the brutal PAC report on reducing elective waiting times
www.healthpolicyinsight.com/cowpers-cut-...
www.healthpolicyinsight.com/cowpers-cut-...
November 25, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Another great edition of @hpiandycowper.bsky.social's newsletter. This week it features the Covid inquiry, @instituteforgovernment.org.uk analysis of the NHS, and the brutal PAC report on reducing elective waiting times
www.healthpolicyinsight.com/cowpers-cut-...
www.healthpolicyinsight.com/cowpers-cut-...
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
Reform UK claim to have saved £331m at English councils – but do the numbers stack up?
Reform UK claim to have saved £331m at English councils – but do the numbers stack up?
Experts say councils face limits on cuts as Reform’s savings on IT deals, office moves and EV projects are disputed
www.theguardian.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Reform UK claim to have saved £331m at English councils – but do the numbers stack up?
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
Roemer's law in action? Or simply evidence that we need more beds?
One of my favourite charts from this year's Performance Tracker
Each dot shows a trust's bed occupancy in a given month
What's notable is how little variation there is across the country and across time
Go into any hospital in any month and you will find almost every bed is occupied
Each dot shows a trust's bed occupancy in a given month
What's notable is how little variation there is across the country and across time
Go into any hospital in any month and you will find almost every bed is occupied
November 24, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Roemer's law in action? Or simply evidence that we need more beds?
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
New paper, 'Ministers reflect on the Treasury' from @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social and me for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk. Pre-budget, we've compiled insights from 10 years of Ministers Reflect interviews, plus rex from the IfG catalogue on HMT. Favourite quotes to follow! 1/🧵 tinyurl.com/38anhkc7
![Quote graphic with “#Ministers Reflect” and a statement about the chancellor’s power over money, attributed to Jeremy Hunt — Chancellor of the Exchequer (2022–24), whose portrait appears to the right of the quote. The quote reads: "I think most of your power does revolve around the decisions you can make over money [...as chancellor] that puts you in a very different position to every other cabinet minister, including the prime minister." The Institute for Government logo is in the corner of the image.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:yafpzg4e4ibpubp33xsq5v7q/bafkreigoe7oaqk4kw45ex74usg7hdlkwwkyrhgqk7qn6iacyfcrrujfiym@jpeg)
November 24, 2025 at 1:31 PM
New paper, 'Ministers reflect on the Treasury' from @paddy-mcalary.bsky.social and me for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk. Pre-budget, we've compiled insights from 10 years of Ministers Reflect interviews, plus rex from the IfG catalogue on HMT. Favourite quotes to follow! 1/🧵 tinyurl.com/38anhkc7
One of my favourite charts from this year's Performance Tracker
Each dot shows a trust's bed occupancy in a given month
What's notable is how little variation there is across the country and across time
Go into any hospital in any month and you will find almost every bed is occupied
Each dot shows a trust's bed occupancy in a given month
What's notable is how little variation there is across the country and across time
Go into any hospital in any month and you will find almost every bed is occupied
November 24, 2025 at 11:56 AM
One of my favourite charts from this year's Performance Tracker
Each dot shows a trust's bed occupancy in a given month
What's notable is how little variation there is across the country and across time
Go into any hospital in any month and you will find almost every bed is occupied
Each dot shows a trust's bed occupancy in a given month
What's notable is how little variation there is across the country and across time
Go into any hospital in any month and you will find almost every bed is occupied
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
This is a clown-car government elected on a seriousness ticket iandunt.substack.com/p/a-clown-go...
November 21, 2025 at 12:08 PM
This is a clown-car government elected on a seriousness ticket iandunt.substack.com/p/a-clown-go...
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
New comment: Five things we learned from the UK Covid-19 Inquiry report on Module II - from myself and other @instituteforgovernment.org.uk colleagues
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/covi...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/covi...
Five things we learned from the UK Covid-19 Inquiry report on Module II | Institute for Government
What does the report tell us about governance and decision making by ministers and the civil service during the pandemic?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 1:22 PM
New comment: Five things we learned from the UK Covid-19 Inquiry report on Module II - from myself and other @instituteforgovernment.org.uk colleagues
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/covi...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/covi...
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
Hot on the heels of yesterday's Covid inquiry report on decision making, @shaina-sangha.bsky.social and I have a new report out today looking at how combined epidemiological-economic modelling could help government better prepare for future pandemics www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Combined epidemiological and economic modelling | Institute for Government
The pandemic showed the need for government to improve its use of modelling.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Hot on the heels of yesterday's Covid inquiry report on decision making, @shaina-sangha.bsky.social and I have a new report out today looking at how combined epidemiological-economic modelling could help government better prepare for future pandemics www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
As the covid inquiry gears up for Module 9 on economic policy, @gemmatetlow.bsky.social and I have a new @ukri.org-funded @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report out on Epi-econ modelling for pandemics. We set out why govt needs to invest now 1/🧵
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Combined epidemiological and economic modelling | Institute for Government
The pandemic showed the need for government to improve its use of modelling.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 9:38 AM
As the covid inquiry gears up for Module 9 on economic policy, @gemmatetlow.bsky.social and I have a new @ukri.org-funded @instituteforgovernment.org.uk report out on Epi-econ modelling for pandemics. We set out why govt needs to invest now 1/🧵
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Reposted by Stuart Hoddinott
New data shows 40% of 19 to 21 year-old care leavers were not in employment, education or training in March this year (15,000 young people).
For all 19 to 21 year-olds, that figure is estimated at 15%.
For all 19 to 21 year-olds, that figure is estimated at 15%.
November 20, 2025 at 11:14 AM
New data shows 40% of 19 to 21 year-old care leavers were not in employment, education or training in March this year (15,000 young people).
For all 19 to 21 year-olds, that figure is estimated at 15%.
For all 19 to 21 year-olds, that figure is estimated at 15%.
A chart that surprised me: NHS staff absences for mental health reasons are at record highs, above pandemic levels
Absences for that reason have grown far faster than the combination of other reasons since 2016
Staff were absent for 1.4% of all working days for mental health reasons in YE May 2025
Absences for that reason have grown far faster than the combination of other reasons since 2016
Staff were absent for 1.4% of all working days for mental health reasons in YE May 2025
November 20, 2025 at 9:34 AM
A chart that surprised me: NHS staff absences for mental health reasons are at record highs, above pandemic levels
Absences for that reason have grown far faster than the combination of other reasons since 2016
Staff were absent for 1.4% of all working days for mental health reasons in YE May 2025
Absences for that reason have grown far faster than the combination of other reasons since 2016
Staff were absent for 1.4% of all working days for mental health reasons in YE May 2025
With a week to go until the budget, here is the IfG's view on what to watch
On public services, we'll be looking to see:
- How the inflation forecast changes real terms spending
- More details on govt's reform agenda
- Further efficiency drives
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...
On public services, we'll be looking to see:
- How the inflation forecast changes real terms spending
- More details on govt's reform agenda
- Further efficiency drives
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...
Rachel Reeves’s budget 2025: The IfG’s six things to look out for | Institute for Government
What can we expect from the chancellor’s second budget?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 19, 2025 at 4:35 PM
With a week to go until the budget, here is the IfG's view on what to watch
On public services, we'll be looking to see:
- How the inflation forecast changes real terms spending
- More details on govt's reform agenda
- Further efficiency drives
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...
On public services, we'll be looking to see:
- How the inflation forecast changes real terms spending
- More details on govt's reform agenda
- Further efficiency drives
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/rach...