How could the Chancellor raise more tax? podcastWhat options does the Chancellor have for raising taxes in the October Budget?28 August 2024
Why are universities in financial trouble? podcastWhy are universities struggling, what happens if they go bust and what can government do to help? What other challenges do the HE and FE sectors face?21 August 2024
Can the new government fix the NHS? podcastWe look at the key challenges facing the NHS, and what the new government could do to tackle them.14 August 2024
Next steps for private pension saving for employees and the self-employed event 16 September 2024 At this in-person event in Westminster, IFS researchers will present new findings from the Pensions Review.
6th World Bank/IFS/ODI Public Finance Conference | Driving Progress: Public Finance and Structural Transformation conference 26 September 2024 Online registrations are now open for the 6th World Bank/IFS/ODI Public Finance Conference
IFS Green Budget 2024 event 10 October 2024 The IFS Green Budget will assess the state of the UK economy and the new government’s fiscal position ahead of their first Budget.
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
Centre for the Microeconomic Analysis of Public Policy The Research Centre at the heart of IFS is the CPP.
How have the size and shape of the UK state changed? ReportWe describe how the size and shape of the state have changed since the mid 1950s and over the 2019–24 parliament, and discuss the future outlook.9 June 2024
Labour’s plans to build childcare spaces in schools will nudge the market in a different direction – but not transform it CommentThe plans announced today may nudge the childcare market in a different direction – but certainly won’t transform it.9 June 2024
The distributional impact of tax and benefit reforms since 2010 ReportHow have tax and benefit reforms affected household incomes? Who has lost more, poorer or richer households?8 June 2024
A response to the Conservatives’ proposals to reduce growth in the health-related benefits bill CommentWe analyse the package of reforms aimed at reducing growth in the number of people receiving health-related benefits. 8 June 2024
Pensions: five key decisions for the next government ReportHow will the next government change pensions policies? This report examines key decisions that need to be taken. 7 June 2024
How have English councils’ funding and spending changed? 2010 to 2024 ReportIncreases in council funding over the last parliament have not reversed big cuts made during the 2010s, with spending on many services still down 40%. 7 June 2024
The state of education: what awaits the next government? ReportThe next government will inherit a mixed legacy: England is one of the world’s top performers in school attainment but there are deep inequalities. 6 June 2024
Election Special: Is there a 'conspiracy of silence' between both parties? PodcastIn this episode, we discuss the tight fiscal situation after the next budget, and also look at how the education system is faring. 6 June 2024
Council tax needs urgent reform – not being frozen in time in 1991 CommentThe Conservatives have ruled out revaluing and reforming council tax in England as part of what they term their ‘Family Home Tax Guarantee’. 6 June 2024
To what extent could better growth improve the fiscal outlook – or weaker growth make it worse? CommentThe outlook for growth is a key determinant of fiscal forecasts. What could an upwards or downwards revision mean for the public finances? 6 June 2024
Making mortgage guarantees permanent will help some first-time buyers, but only if they can afford a bigger mortgage CommentToday, Labour have pledged to make the government’s mortgage guarantee scheme permanent if they win power. We discuss the impact of such a scheme.6 June 2024
Conservatives' plan for child benefit withdrawal goes some way to fixing a bizarre system - but misses an opportunity for a more fundamental reshape CommentThe Conservative Party has proposed increasing the threshold at which families pay the Child Benefit Tax Charge from £60,000 to £120,000. 6 June 2024
Intergenerational mobility in socio-emotional skills Working PaperThis paper investigates the intergenerational transmission of socio-emotional skills during childhood, using the 1970 British Cohort Study in the UK.5 June 2024
School spending in England: a guide to the debate during the 2024 general election ReportThis report seeks to inform the debate on school funding during the 2024 general election by analysing past trends and likely future pressures.4 June 2024
Should the pensions lifetime allowance be reintroduced and, if so, how? CommentBudget 2023 abolished the lifetime limit on tax-privileged pension savings. Labour has committed to reintroducing it. Would that be a good idea?4 June 2024
How do the parties’ policy proposals fit in with their fiscal rules? CommentWhoever is Chancellor will find it difficult to keep debt on course to fall, and borrowing to fund Labour’s green investment plan would make it harder 4 June 2024
What is the conspiracy of silence surrounding choices facing the next government? ExplainerPaul Johnson, Director of IFS, explains how neither of the two main parties are addressing the big problems they would face after the general election4 June 2024
What does the future of the NHS waiting list look like? ExplainerResearch Economist Max Warner explains.4 June 2024
The Conservatives and the Economy, 2010–24 Working PaperThis chapter documents the course of the economy over the last 14 years for the forthcoming book 'The Conservative Effect, 2010-2024'.3 June 2024
The intergenerational elasticity of earnings: Exploring the mechanisms Working PaperWe use data covering a single cohort’s first 55 years of life to explain the differences in the intergenerational elasticity of earnings.3 June 2024
