Thomas Pope

@tompope.bsky.social

1.8K followers 480 following 140 posts

Chief Economist @instituteforgov.bsky.social

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Thomas Pope @tompope.bsky.social · Aug 4

There's been an interesting debate about whether mayors could (and should) be able to provide rebates with assigned revenue.

This from @jacktshaw.bsky.social is the best summary I've seen of the current legal position jackshaw.substack.com/p/can-and-sh...

Some thoughts on the merits 🧵1/12

Can — and should — mayors be allowed to offer tax rebates?

debates over tax rebates are fiscal policy, but also the political differences that greater devolution will create — and what they mean for the relationship between Whitehall and strategic authorities

jackshaw.substack.com

Reposted by Jill Rutter

Thomas Pope @tompope.bsky.social · 1d

My latest for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk is a reflection on what No.10 North and devo might mean for policy eco-systems outside London (and specifically in Manchester).

Reflections based on my 4 years living in Manchester working for a think tank

instituteforgov.substack.com/p/on-no10-no...

On No.10 North and the Manchester policy ecosystem

Tom Pope, the IfG’s Manchester correspondent, is optimistic about the future of UK politics’ self-styled second city

instituteforgov.substack.com

Reposted by Thomas Pope, Jill Rutter

Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 1d

If the PM and chancellor are (finally) alive to the challenges facing them, then they must deliver a budget that meets them head on.

This means presenting a coherent strategy for fiscal policy for the rest of this parliament and beyond www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/burn...

Burnham and Healey must avoid the budget mistakes of Starmer and Reeves | Institute for Government

The chancellor should take difficult decisions at the budget rather than ducking tough choices.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Reposted by Thomas Pope

Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 2d

Burnham and Healey must avoid the budget mistakes of Starmer and Reeves

A precarious fiscal inheritance is not a surprise. The chancellor should take difficult decisions at the budget rather than ducking tough choices.

New from @tompope.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/burn...

Burnham and Healey must avoid the budget mistakes of Starmer and Reeves | Institute for Government

The chancellor should take difficult decisions at the budget rather than ducking tough choices.

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk

Reposted by Thomas Pope

Institute for Government @instituteforgovernment.org.uk · 2d

LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE 2026 | How can Labour build an affordable welfare system that supports sick and disabled people?

Join us in Liverpool on Monday 28 September at 12:00 with @meghillier.bsky.social, Alan Milburn, @drbenpaxton.bsky.social, @katesummers.bsky.social and @tompope.bsky.social

An image for an IfG event.

How can Labour build an affordable welfare system that supports sick and disabled people?
Monday 28 September | 12:00–13:00
Speakers:

Dame Meg Hillier MP, Chair of the Treasury Select Committee
Rt Hon Alan Milburn, Chair of the Young People and Work Review
Ben Paxton, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government
Dr Kate Summers, British Academy Post Doctoral Fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science
This event will be chaired by Thomas Pope, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government.

This event is in partnership with the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Thomas Pope @tompope.bsky.social · 2d

Burnham and Healey have finally acknowledged the scale of the fiscal challenge. Now they need a budget that meets that challenge.

It won't be easy, but the timid alternative is worse.

My latest for @instituteforgovernment.org.uk .

www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/burn...