The outlook for government and council funding

Understand this issue

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

Is Labour's inheritance really worse than expected?

podcast

We assess the Chancellor's statement on Monday about the state of the public finances.

30 July 2024

Rachel Reeves' speech might set the tone for the rest of her time as Chancellor

comment

Ben Zaranko writes for The Sun.

28 July 2024

Policy analysis

Lower oil and gas prices hit Scotland’s underlying public finances in 2023-24

comment

Scotland’s notional fiscal deficit rose by £4.7 billion (2% of GDP) in 2023–24, as lower oil and gas prices hit North Sea revenues.

14 August 2024

Devolution may be sexier, but updating the local government finance system is vital

comment

Any plans for devolution need to be accompanied by updates to English councils’ hideously outdated funding allocations.

3 September 2024

IFS response to new government's 'fiscal lock'

press release

"The new government’s ‘fiscal lock’ is broadly sensible but largely performative."

18 July 2024

Academic research

Unfunded mandates and taxation

journal article

In 2006, the Chinese central government increased civil servant salaries and pensions and used either unfunded and funded mandates in different areas.

14 March 2024

Saving lives by tying hands: The unexpected effects of constraining health care providers

journal article

We conclude that, despite distorting medical decisions, constraining ED doctors can induce cost-effective reductions in mortality.

6 January 2023

Do work search requirements work? Evidence from a UK reform targeting single parents

working paper

We assess whether work search requirements for out-of-work welfare claimants are effective in inducing individuals to work & delivering fiscal savings

1 February 2023