IFS Green Budget 2020: Options for the temporary Covid benefit increases

Pascale Bourquin

Published on 9 October 2020

In this webinar, IFS researchers discussed the options the government faces as it considers unwinding, adjusting, or making permanent the temporary Covid-19 benefit increases; and the opportunities this moment presents to address issues with the system that existed prior to the onset of the crisis.

In the immediate wake of the pandemic, the government brought in a series of temporary expansions to the welfare system at a cost of £9 billion. In this webinar, IFS researchers discussed the options the government faces as it considers unwinding, adjusting, or making permanent these temporary giveaways; and the opportunities this moment presents to address issues with the system that existed prior to the onset of the crisis.

After IFS researchers presented the findings of the report, Stephen Timms MP, Chair of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, gave a response.

You can watch the full event below, or download the slides used in the presentation here.