We conduct ongoing analysis of the outturns of, and outlook for, the public finances. Our work in this area assesses the records of successive governments, and looks at forecasts for government revenues and spending (overall and in specific areas), with the aim of informing the public debate.
We conduct timely analysis of issues related to budgets, spending reviews, and elections. Our website provides data and useful background information on historic trends and recent issues relating to public spending and the public finances.
IFS research also examines topics related to the public finances in more depth. For example, recent papers have reflected on the Brexit vote, considered the fiscal challenges and opportunities for an independent Scotland, and explored international comparisons of the public finances in the Great Recession.