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.
Authors
Stuart Adam
Stuart is a Senior Economist working in the Tax sector, and focuses on analysing the design of the tax and benefit system.
Tim Besley
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 Blundell
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 Gammie
Malcolm is Chairman of the Tax Law Review Committee at IFS.
Gareth Myles
Paul Johnson
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 M. Poterba
James is an IFS Research Associate, the Mitsui Professor of Economics at MIT and the President of the National Bureau of Economic Research.
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