Challenges facing the public finances

Understand this issue

It’s time to be honest about the funding of social care

comment

The fury about ending the winter fuel allowance is a diversion from a much important issue: our failing social care system.

16 September 2024

How to reduce child poverty: compare the policy options

calculator

Use these charts to compare policies for reducing child poverty and to examine how child poverty rates have changed over time across different groups.

3 October 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

Policy analysis

Fiscal rules and investment in the upcoming Budget

comment

The government is reportedly considering a change to the debt rule to allow for more borrowing for investment. We consider some of the options.

27 September 2024

Pressures on public sector pay

report

Over a fifth of government spending goes on pay. We examine recruitment and retention challenges which mean that pressures could mount going forward.

27 September 2024

Delivering better public services may require reforming public sector pay, not just raising it

press release

Each part of the public sector faces its own challenges, but recruitment and retention issues loom large.

26 September 2024

Academic research

6th World Bank/IFS/ODI Public Finance Conference | Driving Progress: Public Finance and Structural Transformation

conference 26 September 2024 at 08:30

Online registrations are now open for the 6th World Bank/IFS/ODI Public Finance Conference.

The unintended consequences of infrastructure development

working paper

Focusing on the period from 2005 to 2015 in Peru, I investigate the social costs imposed by poor implementation of public infrastructure.

8 May 2024

Call for papers: 5th World Bank/IFS/ODI Research Conference

announcement

Submissions are open until 15th May for the 5th World Bank/IFS/ODI Research Conference on the "Political Economy of Public Finances".

3 April 2023