Nick Davies
@njdavies.bsky.social
Programme Director at @instituteforgovernment.org.uk working on public services
Pinned
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 🧵
Reposted by Nick Davies
NEW REPORT: performance in hospitals in England declined to record lows under the last govt
Labour won the election promising to turn the NHS around
How are they doing?
🧵👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Labour won the election promising to turn the NHS around
How are they doing?
🧵👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Performance Tracker 2025: Hospitals | Institute for Government
Hospital performance is trending gently upwards. But tight finances in hospital trusts will constrain further efforts.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 19, 2025 at 3:02 PM
NEW REPORT: performance in hospitals in England declined to record lows under the last govt
Labour won the election promising to turn the NHS around
How are they doing?
🧵👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Labour won the election promising to turn the NHS around
How are they doing?
🧵👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Reposted by Nick Davies
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 🧵
Reposted by Nick Davies
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...
It's snowing in Westminster on the same day that we've published the final chapters of Public Service Performance Tracker 2025. Truly, this is like Christmas day for the IFG public services team
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 9:18 AM
It's snowing in Westminster on the same day that we've published the final chapters of Public Service Performance Tracker 2025. Truly, this is like Christmas day for the IFG public services team
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 🧵
Reposted by Nick Davies
Buckle up for tomorrow's packed schedule‼️
Starting with: How successfully have Labour run public services?
@cassiarowland.bsky.social @amberdellar.bsky.social @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social @njdavies.bsky.social @markwfranks.bsky.social
🎟️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/labour...
Starting with: How successfully have Labour run public services?
@cassiarowland.bsky.social @amberdellar.bsky.social @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social @njdavies.bsky.social @markwfranks.bsky.social
🎟️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/labour...
November 18, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Buckle up for tomorrow's packed schedule‼️
Starting with: How successfully have Labour run public services?
@cassiarowland.bsky.social @amberdellar.bsky.social @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social @njdavies.bsky.social @markwfranks.bsky.social
🎟️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/labour...
Starting with: How successfully have Labour run public services?
@cassiarowland.bsky.social @amberdellar.bsky.social @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social @njdavies.bsky.social @markwfranks.bsky.social
🎟️
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/labour...
Reposted by Nick Davies
The government has announced that it is going to abolish police and crime commissioners.
But the benefits of new ‘policing boards’ over PCCs are far from clear www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/poli...
But the benefits of new ‘policing boards’ over PCCs are far from clear 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 4:03 PM
The government has announced that it is going to abolish police and crime commissioners.
But the benefits of new ‘policing boards’ over PCCs are far from clear www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/poli...
But the benefits of new ‘policing boards’ over PCCs are far from clear www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/poli...
Reposted by Nick Davies
I did service design on the passport service in 2015 (other people built that, and others make it continue to work well give them the credit).
Other public services could do that if they had a senior with vision. I think the success in HMPO was the senior leadership allowing us to do new things.
Other public services could do that if they had a senior with vision. I think the success in HMPO was the senior leadership allowing us to do new things.
November 18, 2025 at 8:06 AM
I did service design on the passport service in 2015 (other people built that, and others make it continue to work well give them the credit).
Other public services could do that if they had a senior with vision. I think the success in HMPO was the senior leadership allowing us to do new things.
Other public services could do that if they had a senior with vision. I think the success in HMPO was the senior leadership allowing us to do new things.
Given I spend much of my time describing poor public service performance in great detail, I feel I should note how good the passport renewal service is. 1 adult and 1 child passport returned exactly one week after I posted the old ones. And that's using the normal service, not the quick turnaround
November 18, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Given I spend much of my time describing poor public service performance in great detail, I feel I should note how good the passport renewal service is. 1 adult and 1 child passport returned exactly one week after I posted the old ones. And that's using the normal service, not the quick turnaround
Reposted by Nick Davies
1/5 In this paper for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk, I evaluate the government’s efforts to make regulation and regulators more supportive of growth: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Regulation and growth | Institute for Government
What is in the government's new action plan?
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 14, 2025 at 5:13 PM
1/5 In this paper for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk, I evaluate the government’s efforts to make regulation and regulators more supportive of growth: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Reposted by Nick Davies
The NHS section of Performance Tracker 2025 by @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social is live on the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's website, with new analysis on general practice and hospital performance in England.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Performance Tracker 2025: NHS | Institute for Government
NHS performance is improving, but a complex and haphazardly planned reform package might slow progress.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 17, 2025 at 10:43 AM
The NHS section of Performance Tracker 2025 by @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social is live on the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's website, with new analysis on general practice and hospital performance in England.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
I'm chairing an @instituteforgovernment.org.uk event tomorrow on how changes to NHS technology help deliver the 10 Year Health Plan.
Register here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/nhs-te...
Register here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/nhs-te...
November 17, 2025 at 4:23 PM
I'm chairing an @instituteforgovernment.org.uk event tomorrow on how changes to NHS technology help deliver the 10 Year Health Plan.
Register here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/nhs-te...
Register here: www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/nhs-te...
Reposted by Nick Davies
NEW REPORT: the govt has been running the NHS in England for 16 months
So how are they doing?
Tl;dr there are some signs of progress, but the overall approach to reforming the service has been chaotic, with little coherence between policies
🧵👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
So how are they doing?
Tl;dr there are some signs of progress, but the overall approach to reforming the service has been chaotic, with little coherence between policies
🧵👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Performance Tracker 2025: NHS | Institute for Government
NHS performance is improving, but a complex and haphazardly planned reform package might slow progress.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 16, 2025 at 2:47 PM
NEW REPORT: the govt has been running the NHS in England for 16 months
So how are they doing?
Tl;dr there are some signs of progress, but the overall approach to reforming the service has been chaotic, with little coherence between policies
🧵👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
So how are they doing?
Tl;dr there are some signs of progress, but the overall approach to reforming the service has been chaotic, with little coherence between policies
🧵👇
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
Reposted by Nick Davies
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 Nick Davies
Latest fascinating & comprehensive analysis from the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk team of Labour’s public services performance… www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Wes Streeting accused of ‘chaotic and incoherent approach’ to NHS reform
Exclusive: thinktank report finds health secretary has failed to improve productivity, with the health service unlikely to meet its targets
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Latest fascinating & comprehensive analysis from the @instituteforgovernment.org.uk team of Labour’s public services performance… www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Guardian’s top story is @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social’s analysis of NHS performance, the latest release from Public Service Performance Tracker 2025.
There are some positives from past years but these risk being undermined by loss of GP partners, social care failures and chaotic approach to reform
There are some positives from past years but these risk being undermined by loss of GP partners, social care failures and chaotic approach to reform
Wes Streeting accused of ‘chaotic and incoherent approach’ to NHS reform
Exclusive: thinktank report finds health secretary has failed to improve productivity, with the health service unlikely to meet its targets
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Guardian’s top story is @stuarthoddinott.bsky.social’s analysis of NHS performance, the latest release from Public Service Performance Tracker 2025.
There are some positives from past years but these risk being undermined by loss of GP partners, social care failures and chaotic approach to reform
There are some positives from past years but these risk being undermined by loss of GP partners, social care failures and chaotic approach to reform
Starmer is giving strong Emery vibes. Takes over from a tired administration that had started boldly but become a punch line. History of success in previous job but loses the dressing room and becomes historically unpopular due to bizarre decisions. UK needs an Arteta with clear vision + priorities
November 14, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Starmer is giving strong Emery vibes. Takes over from a tired administration that had started boldly but become a punch line. History of success in previous job but loses the dressing room and becomes historically unpopular due to bizarre decisions. UK needs an Arteta with clear vision + priorities
Reposted by Nick Davies
Massive move in gilts on open. Looks like giving up almost half the gains from the last month. Terrible
I am excited to see the gilt market reaction to this news. Think it could be quite bad. A big chunk of the recent gilt rally was predicated on Labour showing they could hike the big taxes if needed and….well I guess that idea is dead.
November 14, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Massive move in gilts on open. Looks like giving up almost half the gains from the last month. Terrible
Reposted by Nick Davies
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
Reposted by Nick Davies
Worth noting here as well that- unlike in the Commons, where the Speaker selects which amendments are debated- in the Lords, any peer can insist on having their amendment debated and voted on (although there aren't *usually* lots of amendments pushed to a vote)
NEW: 942 amendments have been laid down in the House of Lords ahead of the Assisted Dying Bill's committee stage in the chamber, which starts tomorrow.
This is believed to be a record for a bill at committee stage. It's going to be an intense debate.
This is believed to be a record for a bill at committee stage. It's going to be an intense debate.
November 13, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Worth noting here as well that- unlike in the Commons, where the Speaker selects which amendments are debated- in the Lords, any peer can insist on having their amendment debated and voted on (although there aren't *usually* lots of amendments pushed to a vote)
Reposted by Nick Davies
'Cornwall council offered suppliers £6m to staff illegal children’s homes'
This might be a new low in terms of normalising children living in unlawful settings, but unfortunately, it really shouldn't come as a surprise
This might be a new low in terms of normalising children living in unlawful settings, but unfortunately, it really shouldn't come as a surprise
Cornwall council offered suppliers £6m to staff illegal children’s…
Regulators intervene after UK local authority accused of normalising unlawful placements
www.thebureauinvestigates.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:43 AM
'Cornwall council offered suppliers £6m to staff illegal children’s homes'
This might be a new low in terms of normalising children living in unlawful settings, but unfortunately, it really shouldn't come as a surprise
This might be a new low in terms of normalising children living in unlawful settings, but unfortunately, it really shouldn't come as a surprise
Completely agree that Labour’s public service reform plans are patchy. Starmer isn’t a reformer but even a PM who was would have struggled to deliver serious improvements to public services in this parliament without raising taxes. The spending plans inherited from Sunak/Hunt didn’t add up
Hiking tax is much more than merely the breach of a manifesto commitment. It is the death of the idea at the heart of Starmer’s project: that Labour would leave its comfort zone and govern by reform and growth, not tax and spend.
economist.com/britain/2025...
economist.com/britain/2025...
November 11, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Completely agree that Labour’s public service reform plans are patchy. Starmer isn’t a reformer but even a PM who was would have struggled to deliver serious improvements to public services in this parliament without raising taxes. The spending plans inherited from Sunak/Hunt didn’t add up
Reposted by Nick Davies
For too long, growth-enhancing tax reforms have been prevented by the intense political heat that surrounds any such changes. This new report should help create space for this and future governments to make much-needed improvements www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/cros...
Cross-party agreement can create political space for tax reform | Institute for Government
It is time to take the political heat out of attempts to reform the tax system.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 6, 2025 at 10:28 AM
For too long, growth-enhancing tax reforms have been prevented by the intense political heat that surrounds any such changes. This new report should help create space for this and future governments to make much-needed improvements www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/cros...
Great write up in the FT by @laurahughesft.bsky.social of @amberdellar.bsky.social's new schools report.
It's striking how quickly pupil numbers are falling (particularly in London) but how slowly school capacity is adapting. That's left 600k places unfilled and put huge pressure on school finances
It's striking how quickly pupil numbers are falling (particularly in London) but how slowly school capacity is adapting. That's left 600k places unfilled and put huge pressure on school finances
Number of unfilled primary school places in England hits record high
IfG report shows London has been disproportionately affected by drop in pupil numbers
www.ft.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Great write up in the FT by @laurahughesft.bsky.social of @amberdellar.bsky.social's new schools report.
It's striking how quickly pupil numbers are falling (particularly in London) but how slowly school capacity is adapting. That's left 600k places unfilled and put huge pressure on school finances
It's striking how quickly pupil numbers are falling (particularly in London) but how slowly school capacity is adapting. That's left 600k places unfilled and put huge pressure on school finances
Amazing work by Amber!
This is part of @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's Public Services Performance Tracker 2025. We've published chapters on local govt, criminal justice + schools. NHS + cross-service analysis chapters will be out in next 2 weeks
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
This is part of @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's Public Services Performance Tracker 2025. We've published chapters on local govt, criminal justice + schools. NHS + cross-service analysis chapters will be out in next 2 weeks
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
November 6, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Amazing work by Amber!
This is part of @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's Public Services Performance Tracker 2025. We've published chapters on local govt, criminal justice + schools. NHS + cross-service analysis chapters will be out in next 2 weeks
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
This is part of @instituteforgovernment.org.uk's Public Services Performance Tracker 2025. We've published chapters on local govt, criminal justice + schools. NHS + cross-service analysis chapters will be out in next 2 weeks
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...