Ben Zaranko

Delays in serious court cases are at record highs. We ask why the Crown Court backlog is growing—and if more money alone can solve it.

We take a closer look at the Spending Review and what the policies mean for public services, investment and the wider economy. 

The Crown Court of England and Wales – the court that deals with the most serious offences – had around 75,000 outstanding cases at the end of 2024. 

The Crown Court case backlog has doubled since 2019 and continues to grow. We explore whether falling productivity is part of the reason why. 

At its first multi-year Spending Review on 11 June, the government will set day-to-day departmental and investment budgets.

Spending Review 2025 will set detailed departmental budgets for most of this parliament. We examine the key choices facing the government.

The Government has today announced a series of public sector pay awards for those covered by the Pay Review Body process.

The 'Be the Chancellor' tool, built by IFS researchers in partnership with Nesta, illustrates key choices and fiscal challenges Rachel Reeves faces.

Have increases in NHS waiting lists and waiting times contributed to the growing number of  people claiming working-age health-related benefits? 

Have increases in NHS waiting lists and waiting times contributed to the growing number of  people claiming working-age health-related benefits? 

Explore how and where the government spends money, and how this has changed over time, in all regions and nations of the UK

How much does the government spend in each region of England and how does that compare with regional economic activity?

What were the decisions and trade-offs made by Chancellor Reeves?

One key question is whether those forecasts put the Chancellor on track to miss her fiscal rules. This is by no means guaranteed.

What are the Chancellor’s options if – and it is very much an if – the upcoming Spring Forecast puts her on track to miss her fiscal targets?

Higher defence spending will be offset in the short term by lower spending on overseas aid

New data shows borrowing for this year running higher than forecast at last October’s Budget.

New research presents the first consistent estimates of what has happened to Ministry of Justice funding over a period of more than 20 years. 

We present the first consistent estimates of what has happened to Ministry of Justice funding since the early 2000s and put these changes in context.