This week, the Chancellor delivered his Autumn Statement. After weeks of speculation about fiscal headroom, tax cuts and pre-election giveaways, the die is cast and the policies are in.
What was in it? What will the impact of his announcements be? And how sensible were the policies announced?
Joining us today are Helen Miller, Head of Tax at IFS, Ben Zaranko, Senior Research Economist and Tom Waters, Senior Research Economist at IFS.
Zooming In: discussion questions
Every week, we share a set of questions designed for A Level economics students to discuss, written by teacher Will Haines.
1. What is National Insurance and explain how the reduction in National Insurance contribution may impact the economy?
2. How has the government been able to afford the cut to National Insurance and the tax break to firms known as full expensing?
3. Referring to the changes to National Insurance, full expensing, Local Housing Authority rates and incapacity benefits, assess the potential impact of this Autumn statement on income inequality in the UK.
Host
Paul Johnson
Paul has been the Director of the IFS since 2011. He is also currently visiting professor in the Department of Economics at University College London.
Participants
Helen Miller
Helen is Deputy Director of the IFS and Head of the Tax sector.
Ben Zaranko
Ben is a Senior Research Economist and an editor of the IFS Green Budget. His work focuses on the health and social care system and UK fiscal policy.
Tom Waters
Tom is an Associate Director at the IFS and Head of the Income, Work and Welfare sector.
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