Election 2024

UK Election 2024 coverage from IFS. Independent, rigorous analysis.

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IFS election analysis is all made possible by abrdn Financial Fairness Trust and the Nuffield Foundation

Manifesto analysis

Labour Party manifesto: an initial response

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An assessment of the tax rises and spending changes proposed in the 2024 Labour Party general election manifesto

13 June 2024

The Conservative manifesto: an initial response

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An assessment of the tax cuts and spending changes proposed in the 2024 Conservative party general election manifesto.

11 June 2024

General Election 2024: Manifesto Analysis Presentations

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IFS researchers presented their analysis of the manifestos ahead of the 2024 general election.

24 June 2024

Liberal Democrat manifesto: a reaction

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An assessment of the tax rises and spending increases proposed in the 2024 Liberal Democrat general election manifesto.

10 June 2024

SNP manifesto: a reaction

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An assessment of the tax and spending changes proposed in the 2024 SNP general election manifesto.

19 June 2024

Green Party manifesto: a reaction

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An assessment of the tax rises and spending changes proposed in the 2024 Green Party general election manifesto.

12 June 2024

Plaid Cymru manifesto: a response

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An assessment of the tax and spending changes proposed in the 2024 Plaid Cymru general election manifesto

13 June 2024

Reform UK manifesto: a reaction

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An assessment of the tax and spending changes proposed in the 2024 Reform UK general election manifesto.

17 June 2024

How would the parties’ tax and spending plans affect Scotland and Wales?

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This ‘explainer’ looks at how the parties’ proposals would affect Scotland and Wales, covering tax, spending, public finances and the constitution.

28 June 2024

Read all of our manifesto analysis here

Election-specific research and analysis

Levelling up: it’s time to step up

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The gap in employment rates between the best- and worst-performing areas is at its widest since 2005, says Christine Farquharson.

30 June 2024

Election Special: Your questions answered

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In the final run up to the election, we answer your questions about everything from borrowing to AI to the part that luck plays in the economy.

27 June 2024

Labour’s policies on workers’ rights and mandated workplace benefits

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This comment assesses the potential impact of Labour’s proposed increases in workplace rights and benefits such as sick pay.

26 June 2024

Free breakfast clubs in schools: what Labour’s plans would mean for pupils and families

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Labour’s manifesto promises free breakfast clubs in all primary schools. This comment examines possible benefits and challenges with the policy.

25 June 2024

Election Special: The big issues politicians haven't spoken about

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What are the manifestos missing? What are the big challenges facing us? And what information should voters be aware of as they head to the polls?

25 June 2024

How should we interpret parties’ public spending pledges this election?

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Parties have pledged lots of ‘fully costed’ spending policies but these tell us little about the actual funding each public service might receive.

23 June 2024

Read all election-specific research and analysis here

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.

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Rigorous, trusted economic analysis and commentary is needed now more than ever

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Election 2024

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Election 2024

Explainers and podcasts

Key election background information and insights presented through clear, concise explainer videos, podcasts and more

Funding pressure on the asylum system explained

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What is the £6.4 billion unfunded spending pressure on the asylum system? IFS Senior Research Economist Ben Zaranko explains.

29 August 2024

How could the Chancellor raise more tax?

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What options does the Chancellor have for raising taxes in the October Budget?

28 August 2024

Why are universities in financial trouble?

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Why are universities struggling, what happens if they go bust and what can government do to help? What other challenges do the HE and FE sectors face?

21 August 2024

View more election-relevant explainers and podcasts here

Election-related charts, graphs and data

Illustrative change in day-to-day funding implied by Labour and Conservative plans, 2024–25 to 2028–29

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Under current spending plans, the more generous funding is for protected areas, the steeper cuts there would be for unprotected areas.

24 June 2024

Forecasts for real growth and illustrative scenarios

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The outlook for growth is uncertain: stronger growth would strengthen the public finances, but weaker growth could make things much harder.

24 June 2024

Public sector net debt

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Public sector net debt as a share of national income, with the forecasts for the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats' manifesto plans.

24 June 2024

See more election-related charts and graphs here

Calculators and tools

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.

Election 2024

What are the parties’ plans for benefits and taxes?

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Use our simple interactive tool to see how the parties’ plans for benefits and taxes would impact household incomes over the next five years.

24 June 2024

What has been the distributional impact of tax and benefit reforms since 2010?

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Use our simple interactive tool to see how tax and benefit changes have affected household incomes since 2010.

8 June 2024

What could happen to NHS waiting lists in England?

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Use our simple interactive tool to explore what could happen to the NHS waiting list in England over the next four years in different scenarios.

29 February 2024

Your household's income : Where do you fit in?

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When you think about your income, do you feel rich, poor, or just plain average? Find out where you lie in the UK income distribution.

22 August 2022

How much was spent on public services in your area in 2022-23?

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Explore how much funding your area receives for key public services, and whether this funding is in line with patterns of needs

15 August 2023

Local Government Finance Model

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A free, online model of the local government finance system.

13 July 2022

Background research

Personal taxes are rising, despite NICs cut

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National Insurance contributions are being cut in 2024. But personal taxes are still rising overall due to freeze to income tax thresholds.

5 January 2024

Implications of the NHS workforce plan

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The NHS workforce plan aims for a large expansion in health service staffing. We examine the potential implications for NHS funding.

30 August 2023

Annual report on education spending in England: 2023

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Our sixth annual report on education spending shows changes over time across different stages of education, as well as geographic differences.

11 December 2023

View more election-relevant research and analysis here

Election-related press releases

Main parties’ manifestos tell us little about the funding individual public services would actually receive

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Labour and the Conservatives' manifestos are continuing a conspiracy of silence when it comes to public service spending plans.

23 June 2024

Cuts to council services likely unless cost pressures abate – even with the biggest council tax increases for 20 years

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Cuts to some council services are likely unless spending pressures abate, even with big increases in council tax and especially in more deprived areas

21 June 2024