Education and skills

A look at Welsh funding, tax powers, public services and the hard fiscal trade-offs facing whoever forms the next government.

Scotland has more funding and more powers, but the next Holyrood government still faces tough choices on tax, spending and public services.

A cap on maximum interest rates will see less interest added to the Plan 2 student loan balances of higher-earning graduates from September 2026.  

A manifesto with more spending for priorities, but which also increases the chance of cuts to some other areas.

A plan bold in ambition, but lacking in fiscal credibility

This comment analyses the government’s new youth employment package, which expands youth wage subsidies and introduces apprenticeship reforms.

Christine Farquharson's presentation to Nursery World Business Summit

Welsh health and education systems are underperforming – with cuts to spending on some public services likely post-election.

Which graduates would repay less under different reforms to Plan 2 student loans, and when? And how much might these proposals cost taxpayers?

The government is today proposing a major set of reforms to English SEND funding, with more funding and support provided through mainstream schools.

Student loans now top £50k for many graduates. We explain how repayments work, who pays most, and whether the system is 'unfair'.

The government has announced changes to funding for English councils, and that it will compensate councils for 90% of historic SEND deficits.

Plan 2 student loans were issued to English students who started university between 2012 and 2022.

This annual report compares spending across different stages of education in England and analyses the pressures and choices facing policymakers.

What are IFS experts looking out for in 2026? We discuss rising unemployment, benefit reforms, and whether new technologies might improve the outlook.

Pupil numbers are falling rapidly across the UK. This report analyses the choices facing policymakers and past declines in pupil numbers.

How will changes announced at Budget 2025 affect SEND spending in future? How can the government deal with historic deficits accumulated by councils?