How will the new triple lock work, and what will it mean for pensioners and the public finances?

How does PIP work, why are claims rising and what choices does the government face as it considers reforming disability benefits?

How does social care work, why has reform proved so difficult, and what would it take to build a fairer and more sustainable system?

How does immigration affect the UK economy and public finances? We examine migration trends, fiscal impacts and what they could mean for the Budget.

Unlike most taxes, land value tax doesn’t discourage people from working, investing or building. So why don’t we use it more?

Business rates are blamed for killing the high street. But would cutting them actually help shops and pubs - or simply make landlords richer?

The Scottish Fiscal Commission confirms higher funding this year but warns about a tough fiscal outlook. 

Around £790 million extra funding has become available this year, but painful trade-offs will be required in 2027–28 and beyond.

A response by the IFS’s David Phillips and João Sousa so the Scottish Public Service Reform Committee’s pre-Budget inquiry.

A response by the IFS’s David Phillips and João Sousa so the Scottish Finance Committee’s pre-Budget inquiry.

GERS 2025–26 shows Scotland’s underlying net fiscal deficit improving but still much higher than the UK as a whole

Is university still worth the cost? We examine graduate earnings, student debt, course value and who really benefits from getting a degree.