The Times has expanded out from reporting on and criticising government policy to actually writing it.

The title’s Health and Education Commissions broadly sit under the definition of solutions journalism and could be one way of addressing both declining trust in our business and falling engagement in what many see as a relentlessly negative news agenda.

But asked on the latest Press Gazette podcast whether the commissions could also deliver financial benefits for The Times “brand”, leader of the projects Rachel Sylvester was a little nonplussed.