Reports

Ahead of the Autumn Budget, the UK economy stands at a pivotal juncture, with growth decelerating, unemployment rising and inflation above target. 

The Chancellor's second Budget will be a tricky one. The fiscal outlook has deteriorated, raising the prospect of spending cuts or further tax rises. 

We set out the challenges facing the Chancellor from a changing economic and policy outlook, and explore options to stabilise policy going forwards.

Against a challenging backdrop, the Budget will be a key moment to announce measures needed to maintain and bolster bond market confidence. 

If the Chancellor hopes to raise large sums from tax increases at the Budget, she should consider reforms that would make any increases less damaging.

The government’s reform to contributory benefits rewards jobseekers at expense of those with long-term disabilities, and could save billions annually.

How do trends, demographics and outcomes of children receiving support for health conditions compare across the benefits and education systems?

We examine the past and future of UK defence spending, considering the fiscal and economic consequences of the government’s commitments.

Despite significantly reducing the benefit entitlements of larger families, the two-child limit had no effect on children’s school readiness

We examine the government’s plans for public sector productivity and consider their fiscal and economic implications. 

This report studies a group disproportionately affected by state pension age increases: those who had left paid work before the state pension age.

The government’s proposed reforms to English local government funding will lead to big changes in councils’ budgets.

We provide concrete recommendations to improve the UK pension system to secure better standards of living for future pensioners.

This report examines how the government’s recent proposed welfare reforms affect incomes, insurance, and incentives to work and claim benefits.

Youth mobility in England responds to – and in turn shapes – regional differences in economic opportunities.

The Crown Court case backlog has doubled since 2019 and continues to grow. We explore whether falling productivity is part of the reason why. 

This report explores options for incorporating administrative records on graduate earnings into the OfS’ regulation of higher education in England. 

This report sets out the context of and choices facing the government on schools and colleges in England ahead of the 2025 Spending Review.

An evaluation of Sure Start’s impacts on education, health, absences, special educational needs, crime and social care, plus a cost–benefit analysis.