Thread by @timd_IFG

A little slower off the mark than usual, it's time for today's (now habitual) ringing of the new department bell 🔔🔔🔔

Labour's manifesto is out and they have *lots* of ideas for new government departments...

Here's a few thoughts:

First up, a full Dept for Women and Equalities - this ministerial brief already exists, but rotates around between secretaries of state, without being a fully-fledged role (currently Liz Truss also has this role)

Not clear if there's much new here, other than the higher profile

They also want to rebrand DWP as DSS (which existed before 2001). Saying they'll change it *on day one* is bold - new departments take time to get up and running, and even if this is mainly just a rebrand, changing email addresses and signage takes time and money...

But maybe it's more than just a rebrand? They also want a Ministry of Employment Rights, which would (presumably?) take on some of DWP's role in workplace legislation

But Labour clearly have a big role in mind for this new dept and its first Sec of State

(as an aside, what's the difference between a Ministry and a Department? who knows? 🤷‍♂️)

And finally, they're planning a Dept for Housing, as part of their plans for a big expansion in housebuilding. The policy responsibility already exists, so is this another rebrand? Could the existing dept - MHCLG - do what they want it to without the hassle of being rearranged?

All in all, a lot of big announcements for new departments today, playing to some of Labour's big campaign themes (workers' rights, housing, equality)... but beyond the announcement, it's not immediately clear what the benefit of these departments would be

If ministers know what the objective of these new departments are, and know what they'll do differently to the current set up, it makes sense - but it won't solve the issues immediately. New depts cost money and take time to get properly up and running

More on all this, and more, in our paper

And check out our podcast, Inside Briefing, this weekend, when I'll be talking about all this in more detail

instituteforgovernment.org.uk/publications/c…