Inflect

Good Ideas Don’t Deliver Themselves Why do smart policy ideas stall in Westminster? This blog explores how to navigate risk, budgets, and political incentives to turn great ideas into deliverable reality.

Why do smart policy ideas go to die once they hit a minister's desk?

It’s rarely about the evidence - it’s about risk, timing, and deliverability.

In his latest blog, @travide.bsky.social breaks down how to move from "good ideas" to "decision-ready proposals."

Read more: bit.ly/4r8xSu3

Net Zero and Public Opinion: What Recent UK Polling Reveals Support for net zero remains strong, but recent UK polling shows rising scepticism. We explore what is driving the shift and how government can rebuild confidence.

Recent polling shows that backing for the Governments 2050 #NetZero target has fallen sharply since 2021.

If the UK wants to lead in the low carbon economy, the government must sharpen its economic case and take on misinformation head on.

Read more from @seancodrington.bsky.social -
bit.ly/4cHDSX5

Understanding the Next Phase of Transport Devolution Transport devolution is entering a new phase as CRSTS gives way to Transport for the City Regions. Larger budgets and 10% flexibility will reshape local political decisions.

Transport devolution is moving into a new phase 🚆

Transport for the City Regions brings bigger budgets and greater flexibility across funding pots. It also brings tougher local choices.

It is no longer just about how much funding there is, but how mayors decide to allocate it.

bit.ly/4bRP7fs

Has Political Volatility Reshaped Public Affairs for Good Political volatility is reshaping how organisations plan, invest and manage risk. Public affairs is becoming a core strategic function, not a tactical one.

Political volatility is no longer temporary - it now shapes investment, workforce decisions and long term strategy.

Public affairs has shifted too. Less about influence, more about helping leaders plan amid uncertainty.

Read more from @harryshackleton.bsky.social

bit.ly/4qn3Xhw

Net Zero misinformation is on the rise – but there is a way to change the conversation - Inflect Net Zero Isn’t the Costly Option – Misinformation Is Net zero is repeatedly framed as an unaffordable cost to the UK. But when you account for unavoidable infrastructure investment and climate damage, it is the lowest-cost option.

Net zero is often framed as unaffordable — but that ignores the cost of inaction and the fact our energy system needs renewing anyway.

Read more from @louis-ohalloran.bsky.social

🔗 bit.ly/3NXOKWx

Selling Northern Powerhouse Rail in a Reform-Shaped Britain - Inflect How should industry reframe the case for Northern Powerhouse Rail in a changing political landscape? This blog explores strategy, devolution, and the rise of Reform.

As Reform gains ground, Northern Powerhouse Rail faces new political realities🚆

Industry must rethink how it sells NPR - and who it’s selling to.

From skills to spending, the case needs to land with Reform. Waiting on government won’t cut it.

🔗 bit.ly/4sWe0fW

English Devolution: Who's Who - Inflect A detailed guide to the people shaping England’s combined authorities - from mayors and chief executives to advisers and political leads.

England’s devolved landscape is shifting fast. Our new report maps the people shaping every combined authority, from chiefs of staff to transport and cabinet leads.

Some mayoralties are clear and transparent; others far harder to read.

Read the report 📘 www.inflect.co.uk/english-devo...

The Quiet Revolution in Wednesday’s Budget: Pay-Per-Mile and the Dawn of UK Road Pricing - Inflect Explore how Wednesday’s Budget signals the move towards UK road pricing, with a new pay-per-mile approach for electric vehicles.

Wednesday’s Budget was full of headlines, but a major shift in transport policy went unnoticed.

Read more from @harryshackleton.bsky.social on how an EV pay-per-mile charge could mark the start of UK road pricing, and what it means for drivers and policymakers 👉 bit.ly/4pELvAV

What Five Years Has Taught Us About Brand and Storytelling - Inflect Explore what five years has taught Inflect about brand and storytelling, and how a strong, evolving brand guides our work and growth.

A strong brand is more than visuals, it shapes how you work and grow.

As we approach five years, Inflect's Communications and Marketing Manager Aoife Doherty reflects on what we’ve learnt about brand and storytelling.

Read more here ➡️ bit.ly/4nVTato

Redefining Growth: What England’s New Local Growth Plans Reveal About the Next Phase of Devolution - Inflect Local Growth Plans are reshaping how England’s combined authorities define economic success - centred on inclusion, wellbeing and social resilience, not just productivity.

Inclusive growth is more than a policy phrase - it’s the new blueprint for regional prosperity.

England's Combined authorities are shifting from infrastructure to social foundations.

This is what the second generation of #Devolution looks like.

🔗 bit.ly/3WF7efI

What Will Starmer be Hoping to Achieve at COP30? - Inflect As Keir Starmer heads to Brazil for COP30, he aims to prove that Britain can still lead on Net Zero while navigating complex domestic politics.

Keir Starmer heads to Brazil for #COP30 aiming to prove that Britain is serious about #NetZero and ready to lead.

As UK political consensus fades, he will look to reframe climate action as a catalyst for growth and clean investment.

Read more from @seancodrington.bsky.social 🔗 bit.ly/3X1S2JC

Will AI Shake Up the British Class System? - Inflect What happens when AI automates the professions that define class? Explore the impact of AI and the British class system on the future of work.

#AI is changing how we work, could it also disrupt the British class system?

@emilywallace.bsky.social explores how automation is redefining “good work”, and why skilled manual jobs may become the new markers of status and security.

Read more ➡️ bit.ly/42VxaqW

Westminster Can’t Deliver, But Devolution Could Halve Violence Against Women - Inflect Labour’s pledge to halve violence against women may falter in Westminster, but could devolution deliver where central government has failed?

Labour has pledged to halve violence against women in the next decade, but can Westminster deliver?

Beth Clarke explores how #devolution could give local leaders the tools to turn national ambition into real change.

Read the blog ➡️ www.inflect.co.uk/westminster-...

Behind the Teal Curtain: Who’s Influencing Reform UK? - Inflect Reform’s conference blended theatre and policy gaps – with lobbyists driving the agenda and business invited to shape what’s missing. With Labour under pressure, Reform’s openness to influence could r...

Reform’s conference wasn’t short on spectacle: merch, a singing Mayor, even Jackson Five. But who’s shaping their agenda?

Engagement with business is patchy, but Reform’s leaders are inviting companies to step in.

Some reflections from @jonathanconnolly.bsky.social
👇

🔗 bit.ly/4ndLdQm

#ReformUK

Who Won the Race for Recess? - Inflect Summer Recess was meant to be a reset for Starmer’s Government, but Reform UK and Jeremy Corbyn stole the spotlight. What does this mean as Parliament returns?

Who won the Race for Recess? 📰

Erin Gilhespie's blog explores how Reform UK and Jeremy Corbyn set the headlines this summer, and what it means for Starmer as Parliament returns.

Read more ➡️ www.inflect.co.uk/who-won-the-...

Main Characters and Supporting Cast: Who Really Gets Talked About in Westminster Who are the main characters in Westminster politics? Explore which cities, regions and issues dominate debates, and which remain supporting cast.

Who really gets talked about in Westminster?

London dominates. Manchester makes the script. Carlisle’s on the rise. Leeds is fading.

@jonathanconnolly.bsky.social asks: are towns & regions main characters — or just extras?

Read more ➡️ www.inflect.co.uk/main-charact...

The Politics Beneath the English Devolution Bill The English Devolution Bill shifts power in Combined Authorities, strengthening mayoral voting powers and weakening consensus based models.

The new #DevolutionBill marks a new era for local gov: cabinet majority votes in #CombinedAuthorities must include the Mayor, effectively giving them veto power.

This could empower Mayors in mixed Cabinets, or weaken consensus-led devolution

Read Erin Gilhespie's blog 👉 bit.ly/4lSrvt4

The Cross-Party Consensus on Net Zero has Fractured. How Can we Rebuild It? Rebuilding consensus on Net Zero means focusing on public support, fair outcomes, and a clear, practical vision for climate action.

The public still supports #NetZero, but political unity has broken down.

Rebuilding consensus means focusing on what matters: lower bills, warmer homes, greener jobs and a vision for national renewal.

Read more from @louis-ohalloran.bsky.social 👉 www.inflect.co.uk/the-cross-pa...

City Regions Need Financial Tools, Not Just Political Powers With the Devolution Bill now introduced, financing transformation in city regions, not just devolving power, is key to unlocking growth.

The new #Devolution Bill promises more political power, but without the finance to match, UK #CityRegions can’t deliver real transformation 💸

In his latest blog, Harry Shackleton explores why we need a new fiscal architecture to turn ambition into action.

Read it here ➡️ bit.ly/44rImN6

The Trouble with Winning Big: Labour’s Huge Majority Internal party rebellion is testing Labour’s majority, highlighting backbench MP power and the need for nuanced public affairs strategies.

Labour’s 174-seat majority was meant to bring stability. Instead, it’s revealing just how hard managing power can be 🏛️

Jonathan Connolly unpacks the rebellion over PIP reforms, and what it means for discipline, influence and control.

Read the blog 🔗 www.inflect.co.uk/the-trouble-...

Planning Reform or Bust: Labour’s all-in Gamble on Construction Labour’s £700bn infrastructure plan hinges on planning reform. Can faster approvals unlock growth, or stall a decade of national renewal?

Labour’s £700bn infrastructure plan leans heavily on planning reform, but can it really unlock growth? 🏗️

Fabian Cooper's latest blog explores why Britain’s renewal depends on fixing the system at the drawing board.

Read the post🔗 www.inflect.co.uk/planning-ref...

Kicking off our round table with @lukecharters.bsky.social and Mayor of West Yorkshire Combined Authority @tracybrabinmayorwy.bsky.social!

Looking forward to today’s discussion around boosting #tech and #fintech in West Yorkshire!

It's Time to Break Up the Treasury Making the case for breaking up the Treasury to devolve fiscal power, modernise government, and unlock investment and growth across the UK.

With the Spending Review this week, @harryshackleton.bsky.social makes a bold case for breaking up the Treasury, decentralising power, modernising the state & unlocking growth.

Read more 👉 www.inflect.co.uk/its-time-to-...

#SpendingReview #HMtreasury #growth

A challenge to the civil service: The public affairs industry has changed A call for the civil service to modernise stakeholder engagement and work more collaboratively with the public affairs profession.

@emilywallace.bsky.social calls for a stronger, more collaborative relationship between the civil service and the public affairs profession.

Smarter policy and better outcomes depend on stakeholder engagement that works both ways.

Well worth a read 🔗 www.inflect.co.uk/a-challenge-...

Maybe controversial, but I wrote a blog for @inflect.bsky.social calling for a new wave of PPP to fund much needed #infrastructure investment in the UK

UKREiiF 2025: Devolution, Development and Deal-Making at Scale Inflect shares insights from its first UKREiiF, where devolution, policy reform and private-sector investment took centre stage. A must-read for public affairs professionals.

UKREiiF isn’t just about buildings and budgets.

It’s where local leadership meets private capital — and where the shape of policy starts to shift.

Reflections from @louis-ohalloran.bsky.social on public affairs, devolution, and what comes next 👉 www.inflect.co.uk/ukreiif-refl...

Fixing Energy Pricing: A Net Zero Imperative Reforming the UK’s energy pricing system is key to maintaining public support for Net Zero and countering political misinformation.

The UK’s flawed electricity pricing model is weakening public support for #NetZero

In his latest blog, @seancodrington.bsky.social‬ looks at why reforming the Marginal Price Mechanism should be a priority.

Read it here:

My First Three Months at Inflect: Lessons from Starting a Career Reflecting on my first three months at Inflect, I share three early lessons from starting a career in a fast-paced consultancy environment.

Starting a career comes with a steep learning curve — especially in a small consultancy. 💼

Erika Rugyendo-Henry shares 3 early lessons from her first months at Inflect: learning on the job, managing variety, and staying curious.

Read more 🔗 www.inflect.co.uk/my-first-thr...

Can Public-Private Partnerships Fix Britain's Infrastructure Crisis? Britain’s infrastructure is crumbling. Could a reimagined public-private partnership model be the bold solution Labour needs?

Britain needs bold ideas to fix its crumbling infrastructure. Could modern PPPs help?

Read more🔗https://bit.ly/45daHY9

Catch @harryshackleton.bsky.social at #UKREiiF next week where he is keen to talk #Infrastructure & #investment

Meet the Mayors: Your Devolution Update - Inflect Explore Inflect’s analysis of the 2025 mayoral elections: new leaders, low turnout, and big questions for the future of English devolution.

A year on from our last Meet the Mayors update, much has changed…

A Labour government. A Devolution White Paper. Local reform plans. Reform UK wins 2 mayors.

Inflect’s latest briefing introduces the new Metro Mayors & what’s next for #devolution.

👉 bit.ly/4jO8Ttm