Cassia Rowland
@cassiarowland.bsky.social
Senior researcher in public services @Instituteforgov. Passionate about crime. Formerly @CrestAdvisory. Also trustee @EndometriosisUK
Reposted by Cassia Rowland
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
92 from 63. What a performance!!
November 22, 2025 at 9:00 AM
92 from 63. What a performance!!
At least when England are throwing wickets away like it’s going out of style they have some runs to show for it! Travis we’re relying on you 🙏
November 21, 2025 at 8:38 AM
At least when England are throwing wickets away like it’s going out of style they have some runs to show for it! Travis we’re relying on you 🙏
My final guest blog for @russellwebster.com! So far, I've covered policing, criminal courts and prisons. But what about the broader picture? How are other public services performing, what does that mean for criminal justice, and how well have Labour done in their first year and a half?
What progress has Labour made on public services?
Cassia Rowland from the Institute for Government sums up overall government performance in the last of her series of performance tracker guest posts.
www.russellwebster.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:41 PM
My final guest blog for @russellwebster.com! So far, I've covered policing, criminal courts and prisons. But what about the broader picture? How are other public services performing, what does that mean for criminal justice, and how well have Labour done in their first year and a half?
On public services, I think it was! We’ve been critical of some of Labour’s decisions + overall progress (as here!) but there have been real improvements. Sunak gov failed to act on imminent disaster in prisons or big problems in children’s social care, local gov & NHS finance, adult social care etc
November 19, 2025 at 5:49 PM
On public services, I think it was! We’ve been critical of some of Labour’s decisions + overall progress (as here!) but there have been real improvements. Sunak gov failed to act on imminent disaster in prisons or big problems in children’s social care, local gov & NHS finance, adult social care etc
Reposted by Cassia Rowland
Lack of planning has hit Labour’s efforts to fix public services, says Institute for Government. @njdavies.bsky.social not pulling any punches here in this dire assessment of Starmer’s performance
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Lack of planning has hit Labour’s efforts to fix public services, says thinktank
Keir Starmer accused of failing to adequately strategise while in opposition, leading to uncoordinated policymaking
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Lack of planning has hit Labour’s efforts to fix public services, says Institute for Government. @njdavies.bsky.social not pulling any punches here in this dire assessment of Starmer’s performance
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Starting in a few minutes! If you can't make it in person, you can listen online to hear me, @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social, @amberdellar.bsky.social and @stephenkb.bsky.social dissect how public services are doing and the progress Labour have made since the election
At 10am I'll be chairing an event to discuss how successfully Labour have run public services, featuring @stephenkb.bsky.social @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social @amberdellar.bsky.social @cassiarowland.bsky.social
You can watch online here:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/labour...
You can watch online here:
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/labour...
How successfully have Labour run public services? | Institute for Government
An expert panel presents the key findings the IfG's annual Performance Tracker.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 19, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Starting in a few minutes! If you can't make it in person, you can listen online to hear me, @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social, @amberdellar.bsky.social and @stephenkb.bsky.social dissect how public services are doing and the progress Labour have made since the election
Reposted by Cassia Rowland
The PM must “urgently get a grip” if Labour is to deliver real improvements to public services before the next election, according to @instituteforgovernment.org.uk
On adult social care, IfG claims decisions made under Labour have “exacerbated challenges”
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
On adult social care, IfG claims decisions made under Labour have “exacerbated challenges”
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Keir Starmer Is To Blame For Failing Public Services, Says Think Tank
The Prime Minister must “urgently get a grip” if Labour is to deliver real improvements to public services before the next election, according to a...
www.politicshome.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:06 AM
The PM must “urgently get a grip” if Labour is to deliver real improvements to public services before the next election, according to @instituteforgovernment.org.uk
On adult social care, IfG claims decisions made under Labour have “exacerbated challenges”
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
On adult social care, IfG claims decisions made under Labour have “exacerbated challenges”
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Reposted by Cassia Rowland
NEW: Labour inherited public services in crisis. Performance had fallen, investment had been cut + spending plans were undeliverable.
It's made some progress, providing stability and positive long-term plans. But it has been undermined by poor prep in opposition and lack of co-ordination in govt 🧵
It's made some progress, providing stability and positive long-term plans. But it has been undermined by poor prep in opposition and lack of co-ordination in govt 🧵
November 19, 2025 at 7:03 AM
NEW: Labour inherited public services in crisis. Performance had fallen, investment had been cut + spending plans were undeliverable.
It's made some progress, providing stability and positive long-term plans. But it has been undermined by poor prep in opposition and lack of co-ordination in govt 🧵
It's made some progress, providing stability and positive long-term plans. But it has been undermined by poor prep in opposition and lack of co-ordination in govt 🧵
My latest comment on abolishing PCCs: there’s little to be gained by acting now, before most areas have got a mayor/strategic authority and with new geographic boundaries still to be decided.
Abolishing police and crime commissioners now is putting the cart before the horse
The government should have firmed up its broader plans on English devolution and police reform before announcing the abolition of PCCs. @cassiarowland.bsky.social
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/poli...
The government should have firmed up its broader plans on English devolution and police reform before announcing the abolition of PCCs. @cassiarowland.bsky.social
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/poli...
Abolishing police and crime commissioners now is putting the cart before the horse | Institute for Government
The benefits of new ‘policing boards’ over police and crime commissioners are far from clear.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 18, 2025 at 5:49 PM
My latest comment on abolishing PCCs: there’s little to be gained by acting now, before most areas have got a mayor/strategic authority and with new geographic boundaries still to be decided.
Reposted by Cassia Rowland
“It broke my heart, that was my savings towards a new car,” one woman who paid Milne tens of thousands of pounds told us. “He has just wiped me out.”
Who is Andrew Milne - the solicitor sending "very aggressive" letters to Sheffield homeowners?
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/a-london-law...
Who is Andrew Milne - the solicitor sending "very aggressive" letters to Sheffield homeowners?
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/a-london-law...
A London lawyer bought hundreds of Sheffield freeholds. Then the ‘very aggressive’ letters arrived
Exclusive: The Tribune can reveal that Andrew Milne has threatened leaseholders with high court action. It ‘broke my heart’ one woman says
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 3:20 PM
“It broke my heart, that was my savings towards a new car,” one woman who paid Milne tens of thousands of pounds told us. “He has just wiped me out.”
Who is Andrew Milne - the solicitor sending "very aggressive" letters to Sheffield homeowners?
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/a-london-law...
Who is Andrew Milne - the solicitor sending "very aggressive" letters to Sheffield homeowners?
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/a-london-law...
Excellent piece on an often under-recognised form of domestic abuse
on.ft.com/4nWiG1G A parent’s fear: the mother in hiding from her son
He was golden-haired, a “really happy” baby. “He was gorgeous. I absolutely doted on him, I loved being a mum.”
He was golden-haired, a “really happy” baby. “He was gorgeous. I absolutely doted on him, I loved being a mum.”
A parent’s fear: the mother in hiding from her son
[FREE TO READ] What happens when the person you gave life to, wants to take yours
on.ft.com
November 16, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Excellent piece on an often under-recognised form of domestic abuse
Disappointing to see the government go down this route. Our current court system has coped with high demand in the past and could do so again. Reversing productivity declines in courts would be a quicker way of getting the system back on its feet www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/leve...
November 15, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Disappointing to see the government go down this route. Our current court system has coped with high demand in the past and could do so again. Reversing productivity declines in courts would be a quicker way of getting the system back on its feet www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/leve...
Reposted by Cassia Rowland
This is the point. Policy *should not* be adjusted or fine-tuned in response to minor forecasting judgements. Decisions about whether or not to break a prominent manifesto promise *should not* depend on minor forecasting judgements. This stuff matters. We've got to do better than this.
I know it’s always like this. But one striking thing from the budget kite flying and kite pulling back in, is how major policy decisions are constantly being buffeted around by iterative forecast changes.
All feels a bit of a silly way to be making major economic policy & political decisions.
All feels a bit of a silly way to be making major economic policy & political decisions.
November 14, 2025 at 3:23 PM
This is the point. Policy *should not* be adjusted or fine-tuned in response to minor forecasting judgements. Decisions about whether or not to break a prominent manifesto promise *should not* depend on minor forecasting judgements. This stuff matters. We've got to do better than this.
Gov to abolish police & crime commissioners. I'm not sold on this yet: yes, where there are mayors, it makes sense for them to hold these powers and turnout in PCC elections is low. But policing boards aren't necessarily a better option and the convening power of PCCs can be v valuable
Police and crime commissioners to be scrapped in England and Wales
The government says it will save £100m over this Parliament and less than 20% of voters can name their PCC.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Gov to abolish police & crime commissioners. I'm not sold on this yet: yes, where there are mayors, it makes sense for them to hold these powers and turnout in PCC elections is low. But policing boards aren't necessarily a better option and the convening power of PCCs can be v valuable
My latest piece for @russellwebster.com, this time on prison performance! You may have noticed it popping up on the news recently that prisons aren’t in a great state — but why? Have a look for the headlines on funding, staffing, conditions and more.
How are prisons performing?
@cassiarowland.bsky.social from the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk sums up prison performance in the third of her series of performance tracker guest posts. She says "capacity will remain on a knife edge until at least "2028"
www.russellwebster.com/how-are-pris...
@cassiarowland.bsky.social from the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk sums up prison performance in the third of her series of performance tracker guest posts. She says "capacity will remain on a knife edge until at least "2028"
www.russellwebster.com/how-are-pris...
How are prisons performing?
Cassia Rowland from the Institute for Government sums up prison performance in the third of her series of performance tracker guest posts.
www.russellwebster.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:43 AM
My latest piece for @russellwebster.com, this time on prison performance! You may have noticed it popping up on the news recently that prisons aren’t in a great state — but why? Have a look for the headlines on funding, staffing, conditions and more.
Super interesting thread here!
A month ago I looked at what I called Labour's midlife crisis- an obsession with chasing socially conservative Reform-curious voters and ignoring groups of disaffected voters with social attitudes much closer to Labour voters. But some people thought there was method in their madness. Was there? 1/n
November 12, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Super interesting thread here!
This is a tragic, beautiful piece that highlights the brutal reality of life for many repeat offenders.
When I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his life might turn around. I was tragically wrong
The long read: I knew he was running away from something. It wasn’t until many years later that I discovered the truth
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:32 PM
This is a tragic, beautiful piece that highlights the brutal reality of life for many repeat offenders.
Can’t quite believe I’m saying this but: more funding *for these services* isn’t how I’d fix criminal justice! Probation & courts 100% need more money, but big increases are already planned. I’d focus on drivers: housing, substance misuse, lack of opportunities, behavioural/speech & language issues
- significant funding increase for police, the courts, probation and the prison service
- action to lower energy costs (this looks like happening)
- more tax powers for councils so they can increase their own spending power on local amenities etc (poorer areas are already destined for more funding)
- action to lower energy costs (this looks like happening)
- more tax powers for councils so they can increase their own spending power on local amenities etc (poorer areas are already destined for more funding)
November 10, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Can’t quite believe I’m saying this but: more funding *for these services* isn’t how I’d fix criminal justice! Probation & courts 100% need more money, but big increases are already planned. I’d focus on drivers: housing, substance misuse, lack of opportunities, behavioural/speech & language issues
Great summary from Sam of just how dire a state the criminal justice system is in — and the massive political and human risks that creates. We go through all the facts and figures in our Public Services Performance Tracker:
November 8, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Great summary from Sam of just how dire a state the criminal justice system is in — and the massive political and human risks that creates. We go through all the facts and figures in our Public Services Performance Tracker:
Fantastic thread and report by Amber on school performance!
NEW REPORT Labour is struggling to meet its education priorities. It has big ambitions to improve schools, but a budget that falls short of matching them. And with no clear plans to reform the SEND system or tackle workforce shortages, children are being left without the support they need.
Performance Tracker 2025: Schools | Institute for Government
It will be extremely difficult for the government to meet its education priorities within the budget it has set for the coming parliament.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 6, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Fantastic thread and report by Amber on school performance!
There’s a lot of focus on prisons at the moment… but one of the latest mistaken prisoner releases was actually due to a court error! So what’s going on in criminal courts? My blog for @russellwebster.com gives you the headlines
How well are the courts performing?
@cassiarowland.bsky.social from the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk sums up court performance in the second of her series of performance tracker guest posts. www.russellwebster.com/how-well-are...
@cassiarowland.bsky.social from the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk sums up court performance in the second of her series of performance tracker guest posts. www.russellwebster.com/how-well-are...
How well are the courts performing?
Cassia Rowland from the Institute for Government sums up court performance in the second of her series of performance tracker guest posts.
www.russellwebster.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:14 AM
There’s a lot of focus on prisons at the moment… but one of the latest mistaken prisoner releases was actually due to a court error! So what’s going on in criminal courts? My blog for @russellwebster.com gives you the headlines
Reposted by Cassia Rowland
To be fair, I think it probably is true! It’s hard to overstate the degree to which (some) prisons can’t answer complicated questions like ‘how many prisoners do you have’ and ‘what does your day-to-day regime look like’.
November 5, 2025 at 9:34 PM
To be fair, I think it probably is true! It’s hard to overstate the degree to which (some) prisons can’t answer complicated questions like ‘how many prisoners do you have’ and ‘what does your day-to-day regime look like’.
Another week, another mistaken prisoner release! Almost like this is a systemic problem www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/pris...
November 5, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Another week, another mistaken prisoner release! Almost like this is a systemic problem www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/pris...
Reposted by Cassia Rowland
Rachel Reeves has pledged to do what is necessary to protect public services "from a return to austerity".
So how are public services performing? The first instalments of Performance Tracker 2025 explore local govt services and criminal justice www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
So how are public services performing? The first instalments of Performance Tracker 2025 explore local govt services and criminal justice www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Public Services Performance Tracker 2025 | Institute for Government
Labour’s public service plans are less than the sum of their parts.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 4, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Rachel Reeves has pledged to do what is necessary to protect public services "from a return to austerity".
So how are public services performing? The first instalments of Performance Tracker 2025 explore local govt services and criminal justice www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
So how are public services performing? The first instalments of Performance Tracker 2025 explore local govt services and criminal justice www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...