Election Special: Is there a 'conspiracy of silence' between both parties? podcastIn this episode, we discuss the tight fiscal situation after the next budget, and also look at how the education system is faring. 6 June 2024
Election Special: What you need to know podcastIn our first election special, we look at the broad economic picture and analyse announcements about the fiscal rules, the triple lock and tax.28 May 2024
Be the Chancellor Our interactive tool lets you be the Chancellor. Change spending plans, set tax policies and see how your choices impact borrowing and debt.
LSE-IFS-UCL-CEPR-Imperial Business School workshop on household finance workshop 24 May 2024 The IFS, in association with LSE, UCL, CEPR, and Imperial Business School, are organising a workshop on household finance.
IFS-CAGE workshop on the economics of mental health workshop 18 June 2024 The IFS and CAGE Research Centre (University of Warwick) are co-organising a workshop on the economics of mental health.
6th World Bank/IFS/ODI Public Finance Conference | Driving Progress: Public Finance and Structural Transformation conference 25 September 2024 We invite researchers from both academic and policy institutions to submit a paper or an extended abstract of two or more pages by April.
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.
How have English councils’ funding and spending changed? 2010 to 2024 ReportIncreases in council funding over the last parliament have not reversed big cuts made during the 2010s, with spending on many services still down 40%. 7 June 2024
Pensions: five key decisions for the next government ReportHow will the next government change pensions policies? This report examines key decisions that need to be taken. 7 June 2024
The state of education: what awaits the next government? ReportThe next government will inherit a mixed legacy: England is one of the world’s top performers in school attainment but there are deep inequalities. 6 June 2024
Council tax needs urgent reform – not being frozen in time in 1991 CommentThe Conservatives have ruled out revaluing and reforming council tax in England as part of what they term their ‘Family Home Tax Guarantee’. 6 June 2024
To what extent could better growth improve the fiscal outlook – or weaker growth make it worse? CommentThe 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
Election Special: Is there a 'conspiracy of silence' between both parties? PodcastIn this episode, we discuss the tight fiscal situation after the next budget, and also look at how the education system is faring. 6 June 2024
Making mortgage guarantees permanent will help some first-time buyers, but only if they can afford a bigger mortgage CommentToday, the Labour Party has pledged to make the government’s mortgage guarantee scheme permanent if it wins power. We discuss the impact of such a sch6 June 2024
Conservatives' plan for child benefit withdrawal goes some way to fixing a bizarre system - but misses an opportunity for a more fundamental reshape CommentThe Conservative Party has proposed increasing the threshold at which families pay the Child Benefit Tax Charge from £60,000 to £120,000. 6 June 2024
Intergenerational mobility in socio-emotional skills Working PaperThis paper investigates the intergenerational transmission of socio-emotional skills during childhood, using the1970 British Cohort Study in the UK.5 June 2024
How do the parties’ policy proposals fit in with their fiscal rules? CommentWhoever 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
Should the pensions lifetime allowance be reintroduced and, if so, how? CommentBudget 2023 abolished the lifetime limit on tax-privileged pension savings. Labour has committed to reintroducing it. Would that be a good idea?4 June 2024
School spending in England: a guide to the debate during the 2024 general election ReportThis report seeks to inform the debate on school funding during the 2024 general election by analysing past trends and likely future pressures.4 June 2024
What is the conspiracy of silence surrounding choices facing the next government? ExplainerPaul Johnson, Director of IFS, explains how neither of the two main parties are addressing the big problems they would face after the general election4 June 2024
The intergenerational elasticity of earnings: Exploring the mechanisms Working PaperWe use data covering a single cohort’s first 55 years of life to explain the differences in the intergenerational elasticity of earnings.3 June 2024
The Conservatives and the Economy, 2010–24 Working PaperThis chapter documents the course of the economy over the last 14 years for the forthcoming book 'The Conservative Effect, 2010-2024'.3 June 2024
Election Special: The UK economy since 2008 PodcastSince 2008, the UK economy has faced a series of shocks and long-term problems - we ask what challenges the next government faces.3 June 2024
Could the two main parties raise £5-6 billion by cracking down on tax evasion? ExplainerIFS Deputy Director Helen Miller explains the difficulties of getting money into the Treasury and why political parties should have a backup plan2 June 2024
Labour’s ‘Growth and Skills’ levy would give more flexibility to firms – but employers would still need to get on board CommentHow might Labour’s proposal to broaden the Apprenticeship Levy into a ‘Growth and Skills’ Levy affect training rates, especially for young people?1 June 2024
What does the Conservative's higher education announcement this week mean for apprenticeships and 'low-value' university courses? ExplainerIFS Associate Director Christine Farquharson explains.1 June 2024
Parties should avoid tax pledges they may come to regret CommentReforming taxation could help deliver the holy grail of growth, but this campaign is hemming in both sides.31 May 2024