The £600 billion problem awaiting the next government podcastWe speak to David Gauke and Giles Wilkes, two experts who have been at the heart of the spending review process.25 April 2024
Be the Chancellor Our interactive tool lets you be the Chancellor. Change spending plans, set tax policies and see how your choices impact borrowing and debt.
Should we worry about government debt? podcastDavid Miles joins us to discuss high government debt and its impact on the economy. 11 April 2024
IFS Annual Lecture - Innovation and productivity policies: a budgetary perspective event 15 May 2024 Professor Heidi Williams (Dartmouth College) will deliver the 2024 IFS Annual Lecture on innovation and productivity policies.
Higher Education Access and Funding: challenges and policy options conference 14 May 2024 This one-day academic conference will look at access to and funding of Higher Education systems.
Jobs landing pageAt IFS, we recruit and train top-quality economists and professional support staff. We aim to foster a respectful and inclusive working environment.20 July 2022
Centre for the Microeconomic Analysis of Public Policy The Research Centre at the heart of IFS is the CPP.
How has the NLW affected pay differentials within firms? CommentSome evidence on the effects of the National Living Wage on firms' wage structures.16 February 2024
IFS response to Labour's announcement on plans for green investment CommentAn initial response to Labour's announcement that it will no longer seek to spend £28 billion per year on green investment8 February 2024
Labour's green investment pledge raises so many questions CommentThe recent “confusion” tells us a lot about the tenor of the coming election campaign and the debate about fiscal policy.5 February 2024
It's time to stamp on a tax that penalises landlords and renters CommentStamp duty land tax, the tax paid on the purchase of a property, is among our worst and most damaging taxes.22 January 2024
Three ways to improve the design of the UK’s overseas aid spending target CommentThe UK spent £12.8 billion on aid in 2022. But the way the budget is managed can lead to perverse outcomes. There is definite room for improvement. 18 January 2024
Why inheritance tax should be reformed Comment"Addressing problems in the current system is increasingly important". David Sturrock and Bee Boileau write for The Conversation.18 January 2024
Tax changes could point to a policy shift ahead of the election Comment"Peeking through the broader fog and obfuscation, some new distributional priorities are beginning to emerge." Paul Johnson writes in The Times.8 January 2024
Personal taxes are rising, despite NICs cut CommentNational Insurance contributions are being cut in 2024. But personal taxes are still rising overall due to freeze to income tax thresholds.5 January 2024
Scottish Budget – further analysis of the Scottish Government’s spending decisions CommentWe look at the Budget for 2024–25 and the latest spending and funding figures for the current financial year.20 December 2023
The 2024–25 local government finance settlement: the real pain is still to come CommentCouncils are set to see a 6.5% increase in funding next year. While rising costs mean this won’t stretch that far, the real pain will hit from 2025 on19 December 2023
Initial IFS response to the Scottish Budget CommentOur initial response to the Scottish Government’s budget for next year.19 December 2023
Pensions are far from broken but could still use a fix CommentPaul Johnson writes for The Times on the 'simple steps' get us to a 'stable, simple, affordable' pensions system.18 December 2023
Scottish universities and students are under pressure – and so is the Scottish budget CommentThe Scottish Government is boosting support for students’ living costs, but funding for teaching, down 19% since 2013–14, is likely to fall further.14 December 2023
'Pensioners deserve better than the triple lock' CommentCarl Emmerson writes about the triple lock in The Telegraph. 13 December 2023
Talk of a ‘doom loop’ in the public finances is for very good reasons Comment"Wishful thinking will not keep us out of a debt-interest-fuelled doom loop. Only hard choices will do that." Paul Johnson writes in The Times.5 December 2023
What does the Autumn Statement mean for local government and public service spending? CommentKate Ogden explains the impact of the Autumn Statement on public services, council funding and devolution deals.24 November 2023
2p cut is welcome but fiscal risks are serious Comment"Whoever is chancellor after the next election, is going to have to face up to some hard truths," Paul Johnson in The Times. 23 November 2023
Autumn Statement 2023 response CommentHigher inflation has boosted tax revenues. Rather than compensate public services, or bank the spoils, the Chancellor decided to cut taxes.22 November 2023
Cutting inheritance tax isn’t quite as simple as its proponents suggest Comment"There are dozens of tax cuts that would be some combination of more equitable and better designed to promote economic efficiency and growth."20 November 2023
Halving inheritance tax would give away an average of £180,000 to the top 5% of estates at death CommentIt is rumoured the Chancellor will halve inheritance tax in next week’s Autumn Statement. Four-fifths of the cut would go to estates worth over £1m. 18 November 2023
Commentary: all content
Showing 21 – 40 of 1159 results
How has the NLW affected pay differentials within firms?
16 February 2024
IFS response to Labour's announcement on plans for green investment
8 February 2024
Labour's green investment pledge raises so many questions
5 February 2024
It's time to stamp on a tax that penalises landlords and renters
22 January 2024
Three ways to improve the design of the UK’s overseas aid spending target
18 January 2024
Why inheritance tax should be reformed
18 January 2024
Tax changes could point to a policy shift ahead of the election
8 January 2024
Personal taxes are rising, despite NICs cut
5 January 2024
Scottish Budget – further analysis of the Scottish Government’s spending decisions
20 December 2023
The 2024–25 local government finance settlement: the real pain is still to come
19 December 2023
Initial IFS response to the Scottish Budget
19 December 2023
Pensions are far from broken but could still use a fix
18 December 2023
Scottish universities and students are under pressure – and so is the Scottish budget
14 December 2023
'Pensioners deserve better than the triple lock'
13 December 2023
Talk of a ‘doom loop’ in the public finances is for very good reasons
5 December 2023
What does the Autumn Statement mean for local government and public service spending?
24 November 2023
2p cut is welcome but fiscal risks are serious
23 November 2023
Autumn Statement 2023 response
22 November 2023
Cutting inheritance tax isn’t quite as simple as its proponents suggest
20 November 2023
Halving inheritance tax would give away an average of £180,000 to the top 5% of estates at death
18 November 2023