The UK Public Finances

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

Election Special: The big issues politicians haven't spoken about

podcast

What are the manifestos missing? What are the big challenges facing us? And what information should voters be aware of as they head to the polls?

25 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

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

How should we interpret parties’ public spending pledges this election?

comment

Parties have pledged lots of ‘fully costed’ spending policies but these tell us little about the actual funding each public service might receive.

23 June 2024

Main parties’ manifestos tell us little about the funding individual public services would actually receive

press release

Labour and the Conservatives' manifestos are continuing a conspiracy of silence when it comes to public service spending plans.

23 June 2024

Academic research

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

The impact of area level mental health interventions on outcomes for secondary school pupils: Evidence from the HeadStart programme in England

working paper

This paper provides the first robust evaluation of the impacts on school outcomes of HeadStart for area-level mental health interventions.

13 October 2022

Prioritization, risk selection, and illness severity in a mixed health care system

working paper

We study the link between illness severity and the use of public health care services by the privately insured under a public health system.

16 June 2022