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How could the Chancellor raise more tax?
podcast
What options does the Chancellor have for raising taxes in the October Budget?
28 August 2024
Why are universities in financial trouble?
podcast
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
Can the new government fix the NHS?
podcast
We look at the key challenges facing the NHS, and what the new government could do to tackle them.
14 August 2024
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Guides, manuals, software and more Fiscal facts: public finances, tax and benefits
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CIOT/IFS debate: What should be in the business tax roadmap?
event 4 September 2024
At this event, an expert panel will debate what should be on the new Labour government business tax roadmap.
Next steps for private pension saving for employees and the self-employed
event 16 September 2024
At this in-person event in Westminster, IFS researchers will present new findings from the Pensions Review.
6th World Bank/IFS/ODI Public Finance Conference | Driving Progress: Public Finance and Structural Transformation
conference 25 September 2024
We invite researchers from both academic and policy institutions to submit a paper or an extended abstract of two or more pages by April.
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At IFS, we recruit and train top-quality economists and professional support staff. We aim to foster a respectful and inclusive working environment.
20 July 2022
Centre for the Microeconomic Analysis of Public Policy
The Research Centre at the heart of IFS is the CPP.
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Laurence O'Brien

Research Economist

Laurence joined the IFS in 2020 as a Research Economist in the Retirement, Saving and Ageing sector. He currently works on projects related to pension savings over the lifecycle and the labour market activity of older workers. Prior to joining the IFS, he worked as a research professional at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Education

MPhil (Distinction) Economic Research, University of Cambridge, 2019

BA (1st Class Honours) Economics, University of Cambridge, 2018

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Email: Email

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Laurence O'Brien's CV

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Laurence O'Brien: all content

Showing 1 – 20 of 37 results

Policy action needed to help millions of self-employed workers better prepare for their retirement

Press Release

How well prepared for retirement are self-employed workers and what options do policymakers have to encourage more pension saving?

9 September 2024

Private pensions for the self-employed: challenges and options for reform

Report

How well prepared for retirement are self-employed workers and what options do policymakers have to encourage more pension saving?

9 September 2024

Key decisions await the pensions minister after the election

Press Release

How will the next government change pensions policies? This report examines key decisions that need to be taken.

7 June 2024

Pensions: five key decisions for the next government

Report

How will the next government change pensions policies? This report examines key decisions that need to be taken.

7 June 2024

Gap between higher- and lower-paid public sector workers falls by more than a third since 2007 as doctors and experienced teachers have faced unprecedented pay cuts

Press Release

How has public sector pay changed in recent years? Which type of workers have done better and which have done worse?

26 March 2024

Recent trends in public sector pay

Report

How has public sector pay changed in recent years? Which type of workers have done better and which have done worse?

26 March 2024

Staff and students meeting in the office

IFS recruitment event 2023

Event 11 October 2023 at 17:00

At this event we offered an opportunity to meet current IFS staff, and ask questions about life at IFS and our recruitment process.

Major new pensions review warns of substantial risks to finances of future generations of pensioners

Press Release

A substantial new Pensions Review will determine what needs to be done to secure decent retirement outcomes for future generations of pensioners.

20 April 2023

Challenges for the UK pension system: the case for a pensions review

Report

This report makes the case that economic and policy changes in the last two decades necessitate a comprehensive review of the UK pension system.

20 April 2023

A reduced discount rate for public sector pensions will add billions to employer costs

Comment

A reduction in the UK’s long-term growth prospects means that public service pension promises will be costlier to meet in future.

6 April 2023

The planned increase in the state pension age from 67 to 68

Comment

There are reports that the government will no longer increase the state pension age between 2037-39. We examine the key considerations for this delay.

25 March 2023