Rosa Hodgkin
@rosahodgkin.bsky.social
Researcher at Institute for Government working mostly on climate policy and improving policymaking more generally
Public opinion is a constraint but as my @instituteforgovernment.org.uk colleagues set out here small changes can be equally unpopular - a package of tax reform measures with a clear case for change could be an easier sell and bring real improvement
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
The 2025 budget and beyond: How Rachel Reeves can approach tax reform to help drive growth | Institute for Government
A big autumn approaches for the chancellor.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
November 24, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Public opinion is a constraint but as my @instituteforgovernment.org.uk colleagues set out here small changes can be equally unpopular - a package of tax reform measures with a clear case for change could be an easier sell and bring real improvement
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publication/...
There's a summary here historyandpolicy.org/policy-paper...
But tldr - evidence doesn't support the idea that there was a significant change in popular attitudes to tax in the 1970s, that idea first shows up in the press in the mid 1980s
But tldr - evidence doesn't support the idea that there was a significant change in popular attitudes to tax in the 1970s, that idea first shows up in the press in the mid 1980s
Income Tax rates and popular attitudes: Lessons from post-war British history - History & Policy
It has become an accepted view that popular attitudes to tax became more negative in the 1970s and have remained so ever since. However, this is not supported by a recent study of the relevant evidenc...
historyandpolicy.org
November 24, 2025 at 10:28 AM
There's a summary here historyandpolicy.org/policy-paper...
But tldr - evidence doesn't support the idea that there was a significant change in popular attitudes to tax in the 1970s, that idea first shows up in the press in the mid 1980s
But tldr - evidence doesn't support the idea that there was a significant change in popular attitudes to tax in the 1970s, that idea first shows up in the press in the mid 1980s
Reposted by Rosa Hodgkin
Decided to write out my thoughts on this for @instituteforgov.bsky.social on why tightly ringenced funding with onerous reporting requirements for ministerial pet projects is a drain on local and central government and can drive the wrong incentives
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/poth...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/poth...
Pothole politics risks undermining MHCLG’s efforts to simplify funding | Institute for Government
Keir Starmer's plan to fix potholes risks creating more problems.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
March 24, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Decided to write out my thoughts on this for @instituteforgov.bsky.social on why tightly ringenced funding with onerous reporting requirements for ministerial pet projects is a drain on local and central government and can drive the wrong incentives
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/poth...
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/poth...
Among many interesting facts...
Had no idea that the UK govt puts more money into business support than comparators but unusually almost all through tax - 2.3% of GDP (£62bn) on industrial support through the tax system in 2023 according to the OECD
Had no idea that the UK govt puts more money into business support than comparators but unusually almost all through tax - 2.3% of GDP (£62bn) on industrial support through the tax system in 2023 according to the OECD
February 7, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Among many interesting facts...
Had no idea that the UK govt puts more money into business support than comparators but unusually almost all through tax - 2.3% of GDP (£62bn) on industrial support through the tax system in 2023 according to the OECD
Had no idea that the UK govt puts more money into business support than comparators but unusually almost all through tax - 2.3% of GDP (£62bn) on industrial support through the tax system in 2023 according to the OECD
The government is clearly keen to show that it is determined to push ahead with building despite potential opposition
But clarity on community benefits might help to introduce a slightly more collaborative tone with communities affected by this and other kinds of new infrastructure.
But clarity on community benefits might help to introduce a slightly more collaborative tone with communities affected by this and other kinds of new infrastructure.
The government’s welcome planning reforms alone won’t deliver Starmer’s ‘building boom’ | Institute for Government
The government's planning reforms are bold and ambitious.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
February 6, 2025 at 3:21 PM
The government is clearly keen to show that it is determined to push ahead with building despite potential opposition
But clarity on community benefits might help to introduce a slightly more collaborative tone with communities affected by this and other kinds of new infrastructure.
But clarity on community benefits might help to introduce a slightly more collaborative tone with communities affected by this and other kinds of new infrastructure.
If new areas do see nuclear infrastructure the PM implied that new community benefits (possibly lower energy bills) might be available to communities nearby
(we talked to @chrisstark.bsky.social about when we might hear more on this at our event on Tuesday - watch back below)
(we talked to @chrisstark.bsky.social about when we might hear more on this at our event on Tuesday - watch back below)
How can the government accelerate its clean power mission? | Institute for Government
An expert panel discussed the potential pitfalls to achieving Labour's clean power commitments.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
February 6, 2025 at 3:21 PM
If new areas do see nuclear infrastructure the PM implied that new community benefits (possibly lower energy bills) might be available to communities nearby
(we talked to @chrisstark.bsky.social about when we might hear more on this at our event on Tuesday - watch back below)
(we talked to @chrisstark.bsky.social about when we might hear more on this at our event on Tuesday - watch back below)
It is obviously a complex issue with critical safety considerations.
The number of taskforces/reviews set up by the govt has been criticised but delivering thought through reforms can help build consensus and public confidence as long as the new nuclear taskforce is focused and clear on its aims.
The number of taskforces/reviews set up by the govt has been criticised but delivering thought through reforms can help build consensus and public confidence as long as the new nuclear taskforce is focused and clear on its aims.
The government should not be criticised for commissioning policy reviews | Institute for Government
Whether there are 67 reviews underway or not, the key is to learn from how past reviews worked.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
February 6, 2025 at 3:21 PM
It is obviously a complex issue with critical safety considerations.
The number of taskforces/reviews set up by the govt has been criticised but delivering thought through reforms can help build consensus and public confidence as long as the new nuclear taskforce is focused and clear on its aims.
The number of taskforces/reviews set up by the govt has been criticised but delivering thought through reforms can help build consensus and public confidence as long as the new nuclear taskforce is focused and clear on its aims.