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.
Home Office budgeting and asylum overspends Comment The Home Office has repeatedly spent far more than budgeted for asylum, border, visa and passport operations in recent years. 29 August 2024
Definitions of debt and the new government’s fiscal rules Comment The new government has an ‘ironclad’ commitment to reduce government debt. It matters which definition of debt is used for the fiscal rule. 7 August 2024
The £22bn ‘black hole’ was obvious to anyone who dared to look Comment "Frankly, nobody comes out of this smelling of roses". Paul Johnson writes for the Times. 5 August 2024
IFS response to Rachel Reeves’ spending audit Comment The in-year funding pressures and overspends set out by Rachel Reeves do genuinely appear to be larger than previously thought. 29 July 2024
Rachel Reeves' spending audit explained Explainer IFS Director Paul Johnson responds to Rachel Reeves' spending audit in 90 seconds. 29 July 2024
How would the parties’ tax and spending plans affect Scotland and Wales? Report This ‘explainer’ looks at how the parties’ proposals would affect Scotland and Wales, covering tax, spending, public finances and the constitution. 28 June 2024
How should we interpret parties’ public spending pledges this election? Comment Parties have pledged lots of ‘fully costed’ spending policies but these tell us little about the actual funding each public service might receive. 23 June 2024
Green Party manifesto: a reaction Comment An assessment of the tax rises and spending changes proposed in the 2024 Green Party general election manifesto. 12 June 2024
The Conservative manifesto: an initial response Comment An assessment of the tax cuts and spending changes proposed in the 2024 Conservative party general election manifesto. 11 June 2024
The Conservative manifesto Explainer IFS Director Paul Johnson responds to the Conservative manifesto. 11 June 2024
Tough questions will face the election winners Comment "Whichever of the main parties forms the next government, it will need to cut spending or raise taxes or it will miss its own fiscal targets." 10 June 2024
Liberal Democrat manifesto: a reaction Comment An assessment of the tax rises and spending increases proposed in the 2024 Liberal Democrat general election manifesto. 10 June 2024
To what extent could better growth improve the fiscal outlook – or weaker growth make it worse? Comment The 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
How do the parties’ policy proposals fit in with their fiscal rules? Comment Whoever 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
Debt under current plans and with our assessment of Labour’s proposed boost to green investment spending (illustrative) Data Item Debt under current plans and with our assessment of Labour’s proposed boost to green investment spending (illustrative) 4 June 2024
A note of caution on fiscal technocracy Comment Should technocratic bodies like the OBR have a greater role in guiding UK fiscal policy? In a new opinion piece, Ben Zaranko argues not. 27 May 2024
Public finances and the 2024 general election Comment Elections are about choices, and few are more important than the choices we make over how much to tax and what to spend those tax revenues on. 25 May 2024
Public investment: what you need to know Explainer Everything you wanted to know about UK public investment but were too afraid to ask – including analysis of Labour and Conservative plans. 25 April 2024
New tax year gives Chancellor more ‘headroom’ but doesn’t change the fundamentals Comment The start of a new tax year causes a mechanical boost to the Chancellor’s ‘headroom’, but the post-election fiscal challenge remains daunting. 16 April 2024
Spring Budget 2024: initial IFS response Comment We’ve learned to expect some degree of smoke and mirrors in the Budget. Today was no different. 6 March 2024
