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
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
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
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
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
Sunak’s weak intervention may prompt a climate change revolution Comment "We need some light shone on what needs doing and on how far away we are from doing it." Paul Johnson writes for The Times on our net zero targets. 25 September 2023
Persevering with the autumn statement just generates confusion Comment Bi-annual fiscal events "have become an engine for an over-proliferation of measures, generating instability and confusion." Paul Johnson in the Times 11 September 2023
Disability, illness and pain are real problems for the entire economy Comment "Tackling them should be near the top of any list of social and economic priorities." Paul Johnson writes in the Times. 28 August 2023
Forecasting is hard enough without basing it on fictional assumptions Comment "The power of both the Bank and the OBR is considerable... transparency and reflection are vital." Paul Johnson writes for the Times. 14 August 2023
Abolishing inheritance tax would leave the country a terrible legacy Comment "I despair." Paul Johnson writes for the Times on the recent debate around abolishing inheritance tax. 17 July 2023
Things go swimmingly for those generations who shout the loudest Comment "Right now, it is younger generations who are again bearing the brunt of economic failure." Paul Johnson writes for The Times. 3 July 2023
Don’t cheer end of earnings squeeze: there is more pain to come Comment Paul Johnson writes for The Times on the pain to come for households and the public finances. 19 June 2023
Government spending has long been targeted at the poorest in our society Comment Paul Johnson writes for The Times on how taking account of public service spending is critical to assessing the government's redistribution of wealth. 5 June 2023