In the deepest and most far reaching analysis of the UK tax system in more than 30 years, the Mirrlees Review puts the case for radical tax reform. It shows how the current system is inefficient, overly complex and frequently unfair. And it sets out a range of proposals designed to increase output and welfare.
Government, through the tax system, takes around £4 in every £10 earned in the economy. It is not surprising that getting tax design wrong can be hugely costly. Yet the level and quality of debate on tax policy is inadequate; there has rarely been any clear sense of direction from governments; and expensive and damaging mistakes have been all too common.
In the UK poor tax design contributes to an inefficient housing market, distortionary taxation of financial services, excessive reliance on debt finance, employment levels lower than they need be and distorted and inefficient savings and investment decisions. The review sets out a long term strategy for reform, and in doing so speaks to immediate policy priorities.
Stuart is a Senior Economist working in the Tax sector, and focuses on analysing the design of the tax and benefit system.
Timothy is a Research Associate at the IFS and a Professor of Economics and Political Science at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Richard is Co-Director of the Centre for the Microeconomic Analysis of Public Policy (CPP) and Senior Research Fellow at IFS.
Stephen Bond
Robert Chote
Malcolm is Chairman of the Tax Law Review Committee at IFS.
Gareth is Head of the School of Economics at the University of Adelaide and a Research Fellow at the Institute for Fiscal Studies since 1998.
Paul has been the Director of the IFS since 2011. He is also currently visiting professor in the Department of Economics at University College London.
James is an IFS Research Associate, the Mitsui Professor of Economics at MIT and the President of the National Bureau of Economic Research.
