The public finances

Understand this issue

What is this government’s ‘theory of growth’? Nobody knows

comment

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

20 January 2025

Why did the French Budget fail to pass?

podcast

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

12 December 2024

Share of apprenticeship budget spent on each apprenticeship level

data item

The proportion of funding directed to higher-level apprenticeships (level 4 and above) has trebled between 2017–18 and 2021–22 from 13% to 39%.

16 January 2025

Policy analysis

Rachel Reeves’s new year predicament

comment

Rising interest rates could put the government on track to miss its fiscal rules. What are the Chancellor’s options? 

10 January 2025

Spending per pupil or student per year at different stages of education (2024–25 prices)

data item

This chart compares the trends in public spending per student on various stages of education over time in England. 

16 January 2025

Rising interest rates erode razor-thin margin against fiscal targets

comment

If a recent rise in borrowing costs proved persistent, it will make it even harder for the Chancellor to continue to meet her main fiscal rule. 

9 January 2025

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