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

How is tax damaging the housing market?

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We discuss how taxes like capital gains, stamp duty, and council tax impact the housing market, affecting affordability, renting, and homeownership.

18 December 2024

Why did the French Budget fail to pass?

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France’s failed budget highlights fundamental challenges with public debt, slow growth, and the need for significant reforms.

12 December 2024

How can we make government more productive?

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How can the public sector do more with less? We explore productivity trends, government reform and lessons from private sector innovation.

3 December 2024

View more election-relevant explainers and podcasts here

Election-related charts, graphs and data

Percentage change in selected day-to-day departmental budgets, 2009−10 to 2024−25 (excl. estimated Covid-19 spend)

Percentage change in selected day-to-day departmental budgets, 2009−10 to 2024−25 (excluding estimated Covid-19 spend)

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The next government inherits a difficult legacy for public services, with many departments having faced substantial cuts since 2010.

24 June 2024

Working-age disability benefit caseload

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Reducing spending on working-age disability benefits by £12bn would equate to 1.6 million claimants (38%) losing an average of £7,500 a year each.

24 June 2024

Public sector net investment including manifesto plans

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Both Labour and the Conservatives' investment plans would see cuts to public sector net investment as a share of national income.

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

Progress towards ‘levelling up’ missions has been glacial – and, on some measures, the UK is going backwards

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How well – or badly – has the UK fared on the 12 levelling up missions? We examine early progress and the scale of the challenge ahead.

19 June 2024

Without reform, the two-child limit will affect 670,000 additional children by the end of the next parliament

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The ‘two-child limit’ policy caps at two the number of children low-income families can claim additional universal credit for.

17 June 2024

Universal credit will define Conservative governments’ legacy on welfare, with millions of households gaining and losing thousands of pounds

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When fully rolled out, 29% of working-age families (8.2 million) will be entitled to UC at any one time.

11 June 2024

14 years of missed opportunities – big tax challenges remain unaddressed

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"All parties should avoid putting tax commitments in their manifestos that would impede making the tax system better."

10 June 2024

See all of our press releases here

Budgets and Green Budgets

Budget analysis

After each Autumn Statement, Budget and Spending Review, we publish analysis of the Chancellor's proposals and reforms.

Election 2024

IFS Green Budgets

The IFS Green Budget provides in-depth analysis of the economic challenges and trade-offs facing the Chancellor ahead of the Budget each year.

Election 2024

Previous election coverage

See historical analysis relating to the main parties’ election proposals. Our work in this area goes as far back as 1997.

Read historical election analysis here

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Election 2024

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Find out more

Election 2024

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

Manifesto analysis

Election-specific research and analysis

Be the Chancellor

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

Explainers and podcasts

Election-related charts, graphs and data

Calculators and tools

Background research

Election-related press releases

Budgets and Green Budgets

Previous election coverage

Browse all of our research

Newsletter

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