Government finances and spending

Britain faces high debt, high borrowing costs, rising taxes and stretched public services. We explain the fiscal reality facing any government.

Scottish Government funding likely to fall in 2027–28, meaning manifesto pledges could force spending cuts or increases to devolved taxes.

Why UK electricity prices are so high, how renewables affect costs, and what government can do to protect households from shocks.

The delay announced today will have a one-off cost to the exchequer of about £200 million

The new Plaid Cymru government faces a difficult fiscal outlook – and the need to find common ground with other parties.

What does local government do, why are councils under financial pressure, and how might reform change the future of local services?

A new crop of councillors will face the same challenges – constrained funding, limited revenue-raising powers, and spending pressures and restrictions

Council tax support's chequered history reveals the fundamental trade-offs of devolving benefits to local authorities.

IFS analysis, manifesto responses and more of the Scottish election of 2026.

IFS analysis, manifesto responses and more of the Welsh election of 2026.

All parties’ plans would add to the fiscal challenges facing the next Scottish Government – albeit to very different extents

Drawing on the IFS Deaton Review of inequalities, this report sets out a policy toolkit and applications to education, jobs, geography and wealth.

While their visions differ, all parties’ plans would add to the fiscal challenges facing the next Welsh Government – albeit to very different extents

A manifesto pledging a bigger welfare state with or without independence, but which fails to properly confront the fiscal implications of its plans

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

A manifesto with big tax and bigger spending increases – and a mixed bag of tax reforms.