The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) was founded in 1969. For the last 50 years, we have been fortunate to employ some of the brightest and best researchers and have collaborated with renowned academics on new economic theories and techniques as well as providing high quality, politically independent commentary and analysis to policy-makers and the media. Initially established to inform and improve UK tax policy-making through evidence and research, our remit and expertise has significantly widened over time. We now cover important topics such as education, health, public finances, retirement, consumer behaviour, overseas development, tax, inequality and poverty and we aim to freely publish all of our research and much of our data so that other researchers and those working in relevant fields can fully scrutinise and benefit from our work.
"I remain as convinced today of the need for, and value of, organisations like the Institute for Fiscal Studies, as did its founders just over half a century ago."
Paul Johnson, IFS Director
Moving forwards, we are now established as the UK’s leading independent microeconomic research institute and we are also an award-winning 'think-tank'. In 2018, we were awarded prestigious 'Institute' status from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), recognising us as a "global centre of excellence" that has made a significant contribution to the social science landscape. That same year, we were cited in excess of 30,000 times by the UK media and we helped to inform policy debate through hundreds of broadcast interviews and a large series of public events, workshops and conferences. We gave policy evidence in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and researchers played key roles in the Social Security Advisory Committee, Intergenerational Commission and Social Metrics Commission amongst others.
It is this reputation for academic rigour, policy impact, high quality communications and absolute independence that we are exceptionally proud of and we look forward to another 50 years of working closely with stakeholders from academia, third sector, business, the media and government with the ultimate aim of championing good evidence and improving the way that policies are designed and evaluated.
Please see below some information about planned activities to mark our 50th anniversary and do keep in touch with us on Twitter and elsewhere using #IFSat50.