Why we need to reform inheritance tax podcastWe discuss the issues with inheritance tax and how to reform it.6 December 2023
The Autumn Statement 2023 explained in 90 seconds explainerPaul Johnson responds to Jeremy Hunt's 2023 Autumn Statement. 22 November 2023
Cake or biscuit? The UK's byzantine VAT system explained podcastThis week, we dive into the oddities of the VAT system.16 November 2023
Education spending: an engine for levelling-up? event 11 December 2023 The launch of the 2023 IFS Annual Report on Education Spending in England, funded by the Nuffield Foundation.
Social mobility and wealth conference 12 December 2023 At this in-person event, IFS researchers will share findings from ESRC-funded research on social mobility and its drivers.
Where next for the state pension? event 13 December 2023 At this online event, IFS researchers will present findings from a major new report on the future of the state pension in the UK.
Centre for the Microeconomic Analysis of Public Policy landing pageThe ESRC has funded a research centre at IFS since 1991, recognised as a global centre of excellence and now with UKRI Research Institute status.15 July 2022
Jobs landing pageAt IFS, we recruit and train top-quality economists and professional support staff. We aim to foster a respectful and inclusive working environment.20 July 2022
What does the Autumn Statement mean for local government and public service spending? CommentKate Ogden explains the impact of the Autumn Statement on public services, council funding and devolution deals.24 November 2023
2p cut is welcome but fiscal risks are serious Comment"Whoever is chancellor after the next election, is going to have to face up to some hard truths," Paul Johnson in The Times. 23 November 2023
Autumn Statement 2023 response CommentHigher inflation has boosted tax revenues. Rather than compensate public services, or bank the spoils, the Chancellor decided to cut taxes.22 November 2023
Cutting inheritance tax isn’t quite as simple as its proponents suggest Comment"There are dozens of tax cuts that would be some combination of more equitable and better designed to promote economic efficiency and growth."20 November 2023
Halving inheritance tax would give away an average of £180,000 to the top 5% of estates at death CommentIt is rumoured the Chancellor will halve inheritance tax in next week’s Autumn Statement. Four-fifths of the cut would go to estates worth over £1m. 18 November 2023
Is there really an NHS productivity crisis? CommentIt is difficult to measure NHS productivity. But the available evidence strongly suggests that the NHS is less productive now than pre-pandemic.17 November 2023
Using October rather than September inflation to uprate working-age benefits represents a £3 billion cut CommentUsing October rather than September inflation to uprate benefits in April 2024 would be a permanent £3 billion cut to the size of the benefits system.16 November 2023
Revaluation and reform of Welsh council tax should proceed without delay CommentWe analyse the impact of the possible approaches to council tax reform set out in the Welsh Government’s consultation on ‘A fairer council tax’. 14 November 2023
Retirement is not always a choice that workers can afford to make Comment"More of us may feel little choice but to work a year or two longer than planned." Paul Johnson writes for The Times.6 November 2023
Taxes could be cut within broader reforms Comment"The Chancellor doesn’t need to wait for fiscal headroom to reform public finances" says Helen Miller in The Telegraph. 2 November 2023
Women in surgery: slow progress for mothers CommentSurvey evidence published recently showed staggering levels of sexual harassment (and worse) in surgery.31 October 2023
Debt can be redefined but it won’t disappear. Hard decisions are needed Comment"The bind is a real one. Both we and our political leaders need to face up to it." Paul Johnson writes for The Times.23 October 2023
Behind the numbers: reassessing investment in skills and training Comment"There are concrete steps, such as reforming the Apprenticeship Levy, that the government should take to improve the existing skills system."12 October 2023
Schools and segregation: a comparison of Scotland and England CommentWe study how the different ways pupils are assigned to schools in England and Scotland relate to income segregation in schools and neighbourhoods.10 October 2023
Big changes to HS2 and education will prove a real test for Rishi Sunak Comment"Too many announcements, not enough evident strategy." Paul Johnson in The Times on the announcements in last week's Conservative Party Conference.9 October 2023
What is happening to school funding and costs in England? CommentSchools funding in England is going up faster than economy-wide inflation, but not as fast as the cost pressures schools actually face. 5 October 2023
IFS response to the Prime Minister's proposed Advanced British Standard education reform CommentThe Prime Minister's proposed Advanced British Standard is an ambitious reform.4 October 2023
‘Only millionaires should fear inheritance tax – not the property-owning middle class’ Comment"As inherited wealth grows, the need for tax reform is becoming more pressing." Carl Emmerson writes in The Telegraph.4 October 2023
This will be the biggest tax-raising parliament on record CommentThis has been the biggest tax-raising parliament since records began, pushing UK tax revenues to historically high levels.29 September 2023
What is the point of inheritance tax? CommentDavid Sturrock and Arun Advani write for the New Statesman on inheritance tax, social mobility and tax revenues.29 September 2023
Commentary: all content
Showing 1 – 20 of 1124 results
What does the Autumn Statement mean for local government and public service spending?
24 November 2023
2p cut is welcome but fiscal risks are serious
23 November 2023
Autumn Statement 2023 response
22 November 2023
Cutting inheritance tax isn’t quite as simple as its proponents suggest
20 November 2023
Halving inheritance tax would give away an average of £180,000 to the top 5% of estates at death
18 November 2023
Is there really an NHS productivity crisis?
17 November 2023
Using October rather than September inflation to uprate working-age benefits represents a £3 billion cut
16 November 2023
Revaluation and reform of Welsh council tax should proceed without delay
14 November 2023
Retirement is not always a choice that workers can afford to make
6 November 2023
Taxes could be cut within broader reforms
2 November 2023
Women in surgery: slow progress for mothers
31 October 2023
Debt can be redefined but it won’t disappear. Hard decisions are needed
23 October 2023
Behind the numbers: reassessing investment in skills and training
12 October 2023
Schools and segregation: a comparison of Scotland and England
10 October 2023
Big changes to HS2 and education will prove a real test for Rishi Sunak
9 October 2023
What is happening to school funding and costs in England?
5 October 2023
IFS response to the Prime Minister's proposed Advanced British Standard education reform
4 October 2023
‘Only millionaires should fear inheritance tax – not the property-owning middle class’
4 October 2023
This will be the biggest tax-raising parliament on record
29 September 2023
What is the point of inheritance tax?
29 September 2023