Paul Johnson

Rachel Reeves gives herself so little room for manoeuvre that she creates costly uncertainty when the choice is obvious: raise taxes or cut spending 

The bill aims to improve education and social care for children. But will it work?

The government’s decision to boost military funding out of international aid felt panicked. But this a watershed moment that needs a proper strategy.

Wealth concentration among baby boomers and stagnant earnings are driving the rise of the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’, affecting social mobility.

At this online event IFS researchers presented findings on the effect of the rollout of the Education Maintenance Allowance in England.

We borrowed and spent more than other countries to respond to the pandemic and the sharp rise in energy prices two years later.

The OBR forecast will underpin the Chancellor’s decisions at the next Spring Forecast.

Confusion is built into our approach to net zero. We need to be more pragmatic about whether emissions will genuinely be new. 

We discuss the economic consequences of tariffs, why governments use them, and whether they actually achieve their intended goals.

"Shifting the performance of an entire economy requires a long-term, consistent and persistent direction." Paul Johnson writes for the Times.

The IFS is holding a day of talks on issues in public economics of interest to undergraduates in economics and related disciplines.

The launch of 2024/25 IFS Annual Report on Education Spending in England, funded by the Nuffield Foundation

A government with a big majority should have had the political will to do more than just set up another review.

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

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

The prime minister’s rhetoric on housebuilding is welcome, but it won’t be enough without a complete overhaul of the planning system.

Foregoing a degree for an apprenticeship, saving during Covid and being born and bred in the capital have helped. With sky-high rents, others are not.

We discuss how inheritance tax actually changed in the Budget, who will be affected and whether it was a good idea.

Tax and spending will increase by a huge 5% of national income this decade, but most of that increase occurred under the last government.