👇Our #StateoftheStateUK survey with Re:State found that more of the public *want* to see lower taxes than higher spending, but they *expect* higher taxes on the horizon. See deloitte.co.uk/stateofthestate

I hope this isn't right. Civil servants bring a huge amount of insight to events of all kinds. If the Industrial Strategy 'marks a new era of engagement between government and business', then civil servants need to take part in events more, not less

Love this annual survey that tracks UK views on foreign policy. It shows how interest in global affairs has shot up - very notable as people traditionally find global issues more abstract than domestic

What strikes me most about this is the chasm between public opinion and conversations in London SW1

Europe’s post-Brexit maps are brutal

Bravo Department for Business and Trade and Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 for producing a compelling defence sector plan. It's clear from global threats that the UK needs to invest more in our defence and alliances...and if doing that can boost economic growth as well, that's a massive win-win

Super interesting take on Whitehall from Labour Together. Not sure about some of the political conclusions but the recommendations ring true: better accountability and autonomy so the right people can get stuff done. A good read: labourtogether.uk/all-reports/pr…

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Not seen a conference speech of any party go down this well in years. Feels like Kemi Badenoch wants to capture the modest and calm political ground #conservatives2025

I’d say Labour has been pretty bold. Think the issue now is delivery bbc.co.uk/news/live/c3dn…

My pumpkin gives the people what they want

Why is the UK media more interested in New York’s mayor than any of our own elected mayors? It’s covered Mamdani’s election, what it means for the city, a profile piece on his wife. Will they cover next May’s UK mayoral elections so comprehensively???

Shame to see PCCs go. I can name mine and voted in his election, but I guess I'm in the minority. But sorry to see a layer of democracy go

Debate in parliament on police and crime commissioners surfaced that a 'significant' police reform white paper will be out by the end of the year i.e. in the next month. It's been a year since the (then) Home Secretary announced a package of reform hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2025-1…

Most people are fixated on tax rises in today's Budget but I'll be looking at the spending side of the equation. And specifically, will it include any cuts and efficiencies for Whitehall and public services?

Deputy Speaker Nusrat Ghani MP absolutely right to tell the government off before the Budget statement. It's incredible to see ministers pre-announcing Budget measures before the actual statement in Parliament

Surprised to see the Office for Value Money "has now closed...having delivered on its remit", according to Budget documents. When it was announced pre-election, I assumed it would be a permanent fixture in government. Apparently not.

No mention of Labour's five missions in today's Budget or the Red Book that is published with it. The latter mentions government's growth mission, plus one honourable mention of the clean energy mission, but none of the others. Government seems to have shifted to three

If you like cheap foreign retailers, fly in a private jet and drink pre-packaged lattes, I have some worrying news #Budget2025