Reforming Council Tax Benefit

Understand this issue

Election Special: Your questions answered

podcast

In the final run up to the election, we answer your questions about everything from borrowing to AI to the part that luck plays in the economy.

27 June 2024

What is the two-child limit in benefits?

explainer

IFS Associate Director Tom Waters explains.

27 June 2024

Cuts to council services likely unless cost pressures abate – even with the biggest council tax increases for 20 years

press release

Cuts to some council services are likely unless spending pressures abate, even with big increases in council tax and especially in more deprived areas

21 June 2024

Policy analysis

What are the parties’ plans for benefits and taxes?

calculator

Use our simple interactive tool to see how the parties’ plans for benefits and taxes would impact household incomes over the next five years.

24 June 2024

How would the parties’ tax and spending plans affect Scotland and Wales?

report

This ‘explainer’ looks at how the parties’ proposals would affect Scotland and Wales, covering tax, spending, public finances and the constitution.

28 June 2024

The two-child limit: poverty, incentives and cost

comment

What impact has the ‘two-child limit’ in universal credit had, and what policy choices does the next government face?

17 June 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

The labor market effects of disability benefit loss

working paper

Leveraging age and health cutoffs in the reassessment, the paper estimates employment responses to loss or reduction of benefits.

29 September 2023

The menopause "penalty"

working paper

We estimate the effect of menopause diagnosis on employment and earnings, reliance on social safety net programs, and demand for medical care.

18 March 2024