The Policy Lab of the UK Government

The Policy Lab of the UK Government is an official partner of the Hadaba Initiative and operates with the objective of bringing multidisciplinary expertise to support teams in comprehending the present, envisioning the future, and designing effective ways to achieve their intended policy impact. Established in 2014 as part of the Civil Service Reform plan, the Policy Lab's primary mission is to enhance openness in policy-making and contribute to the creation of a modern UK Civil Service.

The approach of the Policy Lab is founded on evidence-based methods, active participation, and experimentation. It uses diverse perspectives to tackle complex challenges and facilitate consensus-building. Its expertise is particularly well-suited to address difficult, intractable, and systemic policy issues that demand innovative thinking and have the potential to yield transformative solutions.

The work of the Policy Lab is structured around three main levels of engagement. Firstly, it delivers new policy solutions through practical and inspiring projects. Secondly, it focuses on developing the skills and knowledge of the policy profession and the wider Civil Service. Lastly, it inspires new thinking through its writing and experimentation.

Since its inception, the Policy Lab has successfully collaborated with more than 7,000 civil servants on over 200 policy development and innovation projects. The Policy Lab is connected to a global network of public sector innovators, facilitating the exchange of ideas and practices internationally.