The Institute for Fiscal Studies
@theifs.bsky.social
Official account for Britain’s leading independent economic research institute. https://ifs.org.uk/
Who would be most affected by a land value tax?
🎙️ Stuart Adam and @benzaranko.bsky.social discuss why which generation you belong to and where you hold your wealth matter when it comes to a land value tax, from our recent podcast.
🎧 Listen to the full episode here: ifs.org.uk/articles/lan...
🎙️ Stuart Adam and @benzaranko.bsky.social discuss why which generation you belong to and where you hold your wealth matter when it comes to a land value tax, from our recent podcast.
🎧 Listen to the full episode here: ifs.org.uk/articles/lan...
September 18, 2026 at 9:51 AM
Who would be most affected by a land value tax?
🎙️ Stuart Adam and @benzaranko.bsky.social discuss why which generation you belong to and where you hold your wealth matter when it comes to a land value tax, from our recent podcast.
🎧 Listen to the full episode here: ifs.org.uk/articles/lan...
🎙️ Stuart Adam and @benzaranko.bsky.social discuss why which generation you belong to and where you hold your wealth matter when it comes to a land value tax, from our recent podcast.
🎧 Listen to the full episode here: ifs.org.uk/articles/lan...
NEW PODCAST: What would it take to fix social care?
@helenmiller.bsky.social, David Phillips and the Dilnot Commission's Andrew Dilnot explain the issues with social care in the UK, and discuss what it would take to build a better system.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/wha...
@helenmiller.bsky.social, David Phillips and the Dilnot Commission's Andrew Dilnot explain the issues with social care in the UK, and discuss what it would take to build a better system.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/wha...
September 17, 2026 at 4:20 PM
NEW PODCAST: What would it take to fix social care?
@helenmiller.bsky.social, David Phillips and the Dilnot Commission's Andrew Dilnot explain the issues with social care in the UK, and discuss what it would take to build a better system.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/wha...
@helenmiller.bsky.social, David Phillips and the Dilnot Commission's Andrew Dilnot explain the issues with social care in the UK, and discuss what it would take to build a better system.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/wha...
Yesterday, the government announced an effective £500 million boost to school funding in England.
Here is IFS Research Fellow @lukesibieta.bsky.social's assessment of what this boost will mean for school budgets ⬇️
Here is IFS Research Fellow @lukesibieta.bsky.social's assessment of what this boost will mean for school budgets ⬇️
September 17, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Yesterday, the government announced an effective £500 million boost to school funding in England.
Here is IFS Research Fellow @lukesibieta.bsky.social's assessment of what this boost will mean for school budgets ⬇️
Here is IFS Research Fellow @lukesibieta.bsky.social's assessment of what this boost will mean for school budgets ⬇️
Reposted by The Institute for Fiscal Studies
This really should be bigger news. Most important driver on long-term changes in living standards is productivity and recent revision to how it is measured suggests output per hour actually grew almost twice as fast from 2009 to 2019 (up from 0.7% a year to 1.3% a year)
Anyway, (for various complicated reasons due to survey quality) the upshot is measured annual UK productivity per hour since the GFC will be revised up from 1.1% to 1.3%
September 17, 2026 at 11:24 AM
This really should be bigger news. Most important driver on long-term changes in living standards is productivity and recent revision to how it is measured suggests output per hour actually grew almost twice as fast from 2009 to 2019 (up from 0.7% a year to 1.3% a year)
Reposted by The Institute for Fiscal Studies
Guys we've got a new puzzle: why have hours fallen so much?
Based on ONS's new approach, average hours worked are down 5% since 2007 (before the financial crisis), 2% since pre-Covid.
Based on ONS's new approach, average hours worked are down 5% since 2007 (before the financial crisis), 2% since pre-Covid.
September 17, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Guys we've got a new puzzle: why have hours fallen so much?
Based on ONS's new approach, average hours worked are down 5% since 2007 (before the financial crisis), 2% since pre-Covid.
Based on ONS's new approach, average hours worked are down 5% since 2007 (before the financial crisis), 2% since pre-Covid.
Next week, the 8th The World Bank Group / @ODI.Global / IFS Public Finance Conference will take place from September 24 – 25th 2026 in Washington DC, with a keynote from Nathaniel Hendren.
➡️ Find out more about the conference and register to join online here: www.taxdev.org/event/8th-wo...
➡️ Find out more about the conference and register to join online here: www.taxdev.org/event/8th-wo...
September 17, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Next week, the 8th The World Bank Group / @ODI.Global / IFS Public Finance Conference will take place from September 24 – 25th 2026 in Washington DC, with a keynote from Nathaniel Hendren.
➡️ Find out more about the conference and register to join online here: www.taxdev.org/event/8th-wo...
➡️ Find out more about the conference and register to join online here: www.taxdev.org/event/8th-wo...
Reposted by The Institute for Fiscal Studies
This is one of the key charts from our report out today. PIP only provides 2 levels of support for daily living costs. This means people with very different levels of assessed disability get the same amount of cash.
NEW: People with different levels of disability get the same amount of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Someone who can't wash and needs help dressing could get £5,960 a year – the same as someone who can't wash, dress, talk or read.
THREAD on our new Green Budget chapter: ⬇️
Someone who can't wash and needs help dressing could get £5,960 a year – the same as someone who can't wash, dress, talk or read.
THREAD on our new Green Budget chapter: ⬇️
September 17, 2026 at 10:00 AM
This is one of the key charts from our report out today. PIP only provides 2 levels of support for daily living costs. This means people with very different levels of assessed disability get the same amount of cash.
Reposted by The Institute for Fiscal Studies
New report out today with
@eduinlatimer.bsky.social and Tom Waters discussing and modelling options to reform PIP
@eduinlatimer.bsky.social and Tom Waters discussing and modelling options to reform PIP
NEW: People with different levels of disability get the same amount of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Someone who can't wash and needs help dressing could get £5,960 a year – the same as someone who can't wash, dress, talk or read.
THREAD on our new Green Budget chapter: ⬇️
Someone who can't wash and needs help dressing could get £5,960 a year – the same as someone who can't wash, dress, talk or read.
THREAD on our new Green Budget chapter: ⬇️
September 17, 2026 at 10:03 AM
New report out today with
@eduinlatimer.bsky.social and Tom Waters discussing and modelling options to reform PIP
@eduinlatimer.bsky.social and Tom Waters discussing and modelling options to reform PIP
Reposted by The Institute for Fiscal Studies
How does immigration affect public finances? Is the OBR getting it right? Which migration policies are fiscally costly vs beneficial?
Much enjoyed discussing all this - and my new book, "What is immigration policy for?" with @theifs.bsky.social on their excellent IFS Zooms In podcast
Much enjoyed discussing all this - and my new book, "What is immigration policy for?" with @theifs.bsky.social on their excellent IFS Zooms In podcast
NEW PODCAST: How does immigration affect the public finances?
🎙️ @helenmiller.bsky.social, @msumption.bsky.social, and @maxwarner.bsky.social sit down to discuss the impact of migration on the economy and the public finances ⬇️
🎙️ @helenmiller.bsky.social, @msumption.bsky.social, and @maxwarner.bsky.social sit down to discuss the impact of migration on the economy and the public finances ⬇️
September 17, 2026 at 8:35 AM
How does immigration affect public finances? Is the OBR getting it right? Which migration policies are fiscally costly vs beneficial?
Much enjoyed discussing all this - and my new book, "What is immigration policy for?" with @theifs.bsky.social on their excellent IFS Zooms In podcast
Much enjoyed discussing all this - and my new book, "What is immigration policy for?" with @theifs.bsky.social on their excellent IFS Zooms In podcast
NEW: People with different levels of disability get the same amount of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Someone who can't wash and needs help dressing could get £5,960 a year – the same as someone who can't wash, dress, talk or read.
THREAD on our new Green Budget chapter: ⬇️
Someone who can't wash and needs help dressing could get £5,960 a year – the same as someone who can't wash, dress, talk or read.
THREAD on our new Green Budget chapter: ⬇️
September 17, 2026 at 8:42 AM
NEW: People with different levels of disability get the same amount of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Someone who can't wash and needs help dressing could get £5,960 a year – the same as someone who can't wash, dress, talk or read.
THREAD on our new Green Budget chapter: ⬇️
Someone who can't wash and needs help dressing could get £5,960 a year – the same as someone who can't wash, dress, talk or read.
THREAD on our new Green Budget chapter: ⬇️
WATCH NOW: Does Personal Independence Payment need reform?
🖥️ Watch our event live here: www.youtube.com/live/cZVsIT7...
❓️ Ask questions here: app.sli.do/event/k7rpMW...
Funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org
🖥️ Watch our event live here: www.youtube.com/live/cZVsIT7...
❓️ Ask questions here: app.sli.do/event/k7rpMW...
Funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org
September 17, 2026 at 8:30 AM
WATCH NOW: Does Personal Independence Payment need reform?
🖥️ Watch our event live here: www.youtube.com/live/cZVsIT7...
❓️ Ask questions here: app.sli.do/event/k7rpMW...
Funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org
🖥️ Watch our event live here: www.youtube.com/live/cZVsIT7...
❓️ Ask questions here: app.sli.do/event/k7rpMW...
Funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org
A land value tax is not currently part of the UK tax system, but why is it popular among economists?
🎙️ helenmiller.bsky.social and Stuart Adam explain how a land value tax works and why it doesn’t have some of the same issues as other taxes, in our recent podcast.
🎙️ helenmiller.bsky.social and Stuart Adam explain how a land value tax works and why it doesn’t have some of the same issues as other taxes, in our recent podcast.
September 17, 2026 at 8:01 AM
A land value tax is not currently part of the UK tax system, but why is it popular among economists?
🎙️ helenmiller.bsky.social and Stuart Adam explain how a land value tax works and why it doesn’t have some of the same issues as other taxes, in our recent podcast.
🎙️ helenmiller.bsky.social and Stuart Adam explain how a land value tax works and why it doesn’t have some of the same issues as other taxes, in our recent podcast.
NEW: The English and Welsh justice system is under strain. But more funding alone won't alone fix the system’s problems.
Our new Transforming Justice report, funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org, examines the resources pressures facing the system: [THREAD]
Our new Transforming Justice report, funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org, examines the resources pressures facing the system: [THREAD]
September 14, 2026 at 8:15 AM
NEW: The English and Welsh justice system is under strain. But more funding alone won't alone fix the system’s problems.
Our new Transforming Justice report, funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org, examines the resources pressures facing the system: [THREAD]
Our new Transforming Justice report, funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org, examines the resources pressures facing the system: [THREAD]
Should vape shops face higher business rates because they're considered 'anti-social'?
🎙️ @helenmiller.bsky.social, Stuart Adam and @benzaranko.bsky.social discuss the government’s plan to use business rates to deter ‘anti-social’ businesses and the issues in deciding which qualify, in our podcast:
🎙️ @helenmiller.bsky.social, Stuart Adam and @benzaranko.bsky.social discuss the government’s plan to use business rates to deter ‘anti-social’ businesses and the issues in deciding which qualify, in our podcast:
September 12, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Should vape shops face higher business rates because they're considered 'anti-social'?
🎙️ @helenmiller.bsky.social, Stuart Adam and @benzaranko.bsky.social discuss the government’s plan to use business rates to deter ‘anti-social’ businesses and the issues in deciding which qualify, in our podcast:
🎙️ @helenmiller.bsky.social, Stuart Adam and @benzaranko.bsky.social discuss the government’s plan to use business rates to deter ‘anti-social’ businesses and the issues in deciding which qualify, in our podcast:
📊 #IFSatStat: The 2025 PISA data released this week shows that average reading scores in Wales are lower than the most disadvantaged group in England.
Reading scores in Wales have been in decline since 2018, averaging below England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Reading scores in Wales have been in decline since 2018, averaging below England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
September 12, 2026 at 8:15 AM
📊 #IFSatStat: The 2025 PISA data released this week shows that average reading scores in Wales are lower than the most disadvantaged group in England.
Reading scores in Wales have been in decline since 2018, averaging below England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Reading scores in Wales have been in decline since 2018, averaging below England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Reposted by The Institute for Fiscal Studies
Migration's not always talked about as supply-side policy, but it may be a useful way of thinking about it.
We find some migration reforms since 2020 could have had (in both directions) bigger effects than many recent high-profile reforms, inc. planning, childcare and tax.
We find some migration reforms since 2020 could have had (in both directions) bigger effects than many recent high-profile reforms, inc. planning, childcare and tax.
Migration policy changes can have big economic effects. This chart shows illustrative estimates of the effects of these 3 policies on GDP. These could have been larger than any of the high-profile ‘supply-side’ policies since 2023, inc planning reform and childcare subsidies. [5/9]
September 11, 2026 at 10:12 AM
Migration's not always talked about as supply-side policy, but it may be a useful way of thinking about it.
We find some migration reforms since 2020 could have had (in both directions) bigger effects than many recent high-profile reforms, inc. planning, childcare and tax.
We find some migration reforms since 2020 could have had (in both directions) bigger effects than many recent high-profile reforms, inc. planning, childcare and tax.
How have landlords used snails to exploit business rates relief?
🎙️ @helenmiller.bsky.social and @benzaranko.bsky.social discuss how a recent @londoncentric.media study shows that business rates exemptions don’t always work as intended, and how people take advantage of them, in our recent podcast:
🎙️ @helenmiller.bsky.social and @benzaranko.bsky.social discuss how a recent @londoncentric.media study shows that business rates exemptions don’t always work as intended, and how people take advantage of them, in our recent podcast:
September 11, 2026 at 10:15 AM
How have landlords used snails to exploit business rates relief?
🎙️ @helenmiller.bsky.social and @benzaranko.bsky.social discuss how a recent @londoncentric.media study shows that business rates exemptions don’t always work as intended, and how people take advantage of them, in our recent podcast:
🎙️ @helenmiller.bsky.social and @benzaranko.bsky.social discuss how a recent @londoncentric.media study shows that business rates exemptions don’t always work as intended, and how people take advantage of them, in our recent podcast:
NEW PODCAST: How does immigration affect the public finances?
🎙️ @helenmiller.bsky.social, @msumption.bsky.social, and @maxwarner.bsky.social sit down to discuss the impact of migration on the economy and the public finances ⬇️
🎙️ @helenmiller.bsky.social, @msumption.bsky.social, and @maxwarner.bsky.social sit down to discuss the impact of migration on the economy and the public finances ⬇️
September 10, 2026 at 4:10 PM
NEW PODCAST: How does immigration affect the public finances?
🎙️ @helenmiller.bsky.social, @msumption.bsky.social, and @maxwarner.bsky.social sit down to discuss the impact of migration on the economy and the public finances ⬇️
🎙️ @helenmiller.bsky.social, @msumption.bsky.social, and @maxwarner.bsky.social sit down to discuss the impact of migration on the economy and the public finances ⬇️
EVENT: IFS Green Budget 2026
Wed 14 October | 9:30-11:15 | In-person & online
Join us for our IFS Green Budget launch event on the public finance challenges and choices facing the Chancellor, funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org and Barclays.
Sign up: ifs.org.uk/events/ifs-g...
Wed 14 October | 9:30-11:15 | In-person & online
Join us for our IFS Green Budget launch event on the public finance challenges and choices facing the Chancellor, funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org and Barclays.
Sign up: ifs.org.uk/events/ifs-g...
September 10, 2026 at 2:27 PM
EVENT: IFS Green Budget 2026
Wed 14 October | 9:30-11:15 | In-person & online
Join us for our IFS Green Budget launch event on the public finance challenges and choices facing the Chancellor, funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org and Barclays.
Sign up: ifs.org.uk/events/ifs-g...
Wed 14 October | 9:30-11:15 | In-person & online
Join us for our IFS Green Budget launch event on the public finance challenges and choices facing the Chancellor, funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org and Barclays.
Sign up: ifs.org.uk/events/ifs-g...
Reposted by The Institute for Fiscal Studies
The Timms Review has provided some 'emerging recommendations' for the future disability benefit system to replace PIP.
Biggest news: currently PIP is just cash. In future they suggest that while cash will still be foundation of the award, some awards will also include non-cash support.
Biggest news: currently PIP is just cash. In future they suggest that while cash will still be foundation of the award, some awards will also include non-cash support.
September 10, 2026 at 12:58 PM
The Timms Review has provided some 'emerging recommendations' for the future disability benefit system to replace PIP.
Biggest news: currently PIP is just cash. In future they suggest that while cash will still be foundation of the award, some awards will also include non-cash support.
Biggest news: currently PIP is just cash. In future they suggest that while cash will still be foundation of the award, some awards will also include non-cash support.
Reposted by The Institute for Fiscal Studies
Consumption is arguably a better measure of living standards than income but it's very hard to measure at a local level
Our new paper shows how combining survey information with 'financial footprints' data could be way forward.
Read @gautamvyas.bsky.social thread below to find out how!
Our new paper shows how combining survey information with 'financial footprints' data could be way forward.
Read @gautamvyas.bsky.social thread below to find out how!
Where in Britain do people enjoy the highest living standards?
In a new Journal of Applied Econometrics paper (joint with @peterlevell.bsky.social & Lars Nesheim), we combine several datasets using Bayesian methods to find out. 🧵 1/7
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/... @escoeorg.bsky.social
In a new Journal of Applied Econometrics paper (joint with @peterlevell.bsky.social & Lars Nesheim), we combine several datasets using Bayesian methods to find out. 🧵 1/7
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/... @escoeorg.bsky.social
Small Area Consumption Estimates Combining Survey and Financial Footprints Data
We estimate average equivalised consumption measures across 370 local authority districts in Great Britain, using small-area estimation methods that combine information from a household budget survey...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
September 10, 2026 at 12:42 PM
Consumption is arguably a better measure of living standards than income but it's very hard to measure at a local level
Our new paper shows how combining survey information with 'financial footprints' data could be way forward.
Read @gautamvyas.bsky.social thread below to find out how!
Our new paper shows how combining survey information with 'financial footprints' data could be way forward.
Read @gautamvyas.bsky.social thread below to find out how!
EVENT: IFS Green Budget 2026
Wed 14 Sept | 9:30-11:15 | In-person & online
Join us for insights from this year’s Green Budget, including the UK economic outlook, public finance challenges and options for the Chancellor. Funded by @NuffieldFound and @BarclaysUK.
Sign up: ifs.org.uk/events/ifs-g...
Wed 14 Sept | 9:30-11:15 | In-person & online
Join us for insights from this year’s Green Budget, including the UK economic outlook, public finance challenges and options for the Chancellor. Funded by @NuffieldFound and @BarclaysUK.
Sign up: ifs.org.uk/events/ifs-g...
September 10, 2026 at 1:17 PM
EVENT: IFS Green Budget 2026
Wed 14 Sept | 9:30-11:15 | In-person & online
Join us for insights from this year’s Green Budget, including the UK economic outlook, public finance challenges and options for the Chancellor. Funded by @NuffieldFound and @BarclaysUK.
Sign up: ifs.org.uk/events/ifs-g...
Wed 14 Sept | 9:30-11:15 | In-person & online
Join us for insights from this year’s Green Budget, including the UK economic outlook, public finance challenges and options for the Chancellor. Funded by @NuffieldFound and @BarclaysUK.
Sign up: ifs.org.uk/events/ifs-g...
Reposted by The Institute for Fiscal Studies
Where in Britain do people enjoy the highest living standards?
In a new Journal of Applied Econometrics paper (joint with @peterlevell.bsky.social & Lars Nesheim), we combine several datasets using Bayesian methods to find out. 🧵 1/7
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/... @escoeorg.bsky.social
In a new Journal of Applied Econometrics paper (joint with @peterlevell.bsky.social & Lars Nesheim), we combine several datasets using Bayesian methods to find out. 🧵 1/7
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/... @escoeorg.bsky.social
Small Area Consumption Estimates Combining Survey and Financial Footprints Data
We estimate average equivalised consumption measures across 370 local authority districts in Great Britain, using small-area estimation methods that combine information from a household budget survey...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
September 10, 2026 at 12:31 PM
Where in Britain do people enjoy the highest living standards?
In a new Journal of Applied Econometrics paper (joint with @peterlevell.bsky.social & Lars Nesheim), we combine several datasets using Bayesian methods to find out. 🧵 1/7
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/... @escoeorg.bsky.social
In a new Journal of Applied Econometrics paper (joint with @peterlevell.bsky.social & Lars Nesheim), we combine several datasets using Bayesian methods to find out. 🧵 1/7
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/... @escoeorg.bsky.social
Reposted by The Institute for Fiscal Studies
These are rough estimates, and the composition of migrants will matter a lot too.
There are likely big differences by route – with those moving to the UK to work unsurprisingly more likely to work (and so likely to pay more in tax) than those studying or seeking asylum.
There are likely big differences by route – with those moving to the UK to work unsurprisingly more likely to work (and so likely to pay more in tax) than those studying or seeking asylum.
September 10, 2026 at 8:40 AM
These are rough estimates, and the composition of migrants will matter a lot too.
There are likely big differences by route – with those moving to the UK to work unsurprisingly more likely to work (and so likely to pay more in tax) than those studying or seeking asylum.
There are likely big differences by route – with those moving to the UK to work unsurprisingly more likely to work (and so likely to pay more in tax) than those studying or seeking asylum.
Reposted by The Institute for Fiscal Studies
We’d expect higher migration – if it resembled the current composition of migration – to increase tax revenues, in part because most new migrants are currently working age.
September 10, 2026 at 8:40 AM
We’d expect higher migration – if it resembled the current composition of migration – to increase tax revenues, in part because most new migrants are currently working age.