Now is the time to go further: our report proposes the practical details needed for those new appointments to have the best chance of succeeding.

Reforming the centre is the first step to reforming the state – and renewing the nation.

Some of this work has already begun. In early September, the PM began the task of revamping his No.10 operation.

In line with FGF proposals, he brought policy and delivery functions closer together and appointed a new minister within Downing Street.

Under these plans, the ‘Downing Street’ footprint would span the entire street, not just No.10.

While the PM’s Office would stay in No.10, other functions could be based in Nos. 9, 11 & 12 – plus parts of the neighbouring buildings on Downing Street.

This new Downing Street would be built around four core functions, designed to support the PM and drive his agenda, while creating space for strategic thinking ⬇️

It would be led by a new Leadership Team, incl. a Chief Operating Officer to run the building and drive culture change.

The UK is an international outlier for not having anything like this in place.

Comparable systems, like Australia, Canada and Sweden, all have dedicated departments serving their respective prime ministers.

'Transforming Downing Street', the first report in our flagship In Power series, recommends the PM create a new department – ‘Downing Street' – giving him the levers, capacity, and talent to drive his agenda.

One organisation driving change for the PM.

Changing this must start at the centre.

The PM needs a stronger setup, directly under his control, to inject drive and discipline, better play to his strengths as a leader, and connect his government more effectively with the people it serves.

Over the last six months, FGF has spoken to over 100 people who work, or have worked, in No.10 or led high-performing organisations outside of government.

None of them thought the state is working anything like as well as it could or should.

Keir Starmer leads a country facing a series of crises – including a serious crisis of trust.

For years now, the state that has not been set up to tackle these crises - and in many ways is making them worse.

If Starmer reshapes No.10 to work for him – as past PMs have done – he can have the power to hand he needs to deliver his programme.

If he is bold, he can build the first truly effective Downing Street in years, bring about change and restore trust.

Watch @pollyneate.bsky.social speak just before the first meeting of the Social Insights Panel ⏬⏬⏬

www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/the-social-i...

In its first phase the Social Insights Panel will work to tackle 3 major issues:
* Violence against women & girls
* Transitions to adulthood
* Integrated family support

It's supported by the Henry Smith Foundation & run in partnership with Better Way
www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/the-social-i...

@alfdubs.bsky.social kindly wrote the foreword to FGF’s ‘Future of Asylum – a vision for renewal’ essay collection which includes contributions from charities, housing associations & MPs that consider how the government can reform the asylum system 🔽
www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/resource/the...