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Publication AI Devolution Digital Education and skills Growth and productivity Health and Care Local Government Machinery of government Politics Public finances 26 February, 2026

The State of the State 2026

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The 'State of the State', in partnership with Deloitte, explores the key issues and opportunities facing public services. The report is based on an exclusive Ipsos public poll, and over 100 interviews with public sector leaders. These provide both an insider’s view of the state of public services, and a citizen's view of public priorities and how those services are functioning.

The 14th annual report highlights an increasingly pessimistic public mood. Satisfaction with public services has fallen, concern about the cost of living and the NHS remains high, and trust in the Government is negative across most measures. There has also been a notable shift in the public's attitudes to tax and spend, and caution about the use of AI in public services.

Read the full report to explore what the public want prioritised, how their expectations are changing, and what public service leaders see as the key priorities for delivering reform and strengthening the State in the years ahead.