ESRC funding for the Centre at IFS covers a wide ranges of the Institute's work. Our research agenda can be divided into to the following themes.

Wages, human capital and education

Examining what determines the investments that people make in their own skills and abilities and those of their children; and looking at the determinants of wages over the life cycle. This is central to understanding the evolution of earnings, inequality and work opportunities. It is vital for policy with the increased pressures from international competition.

Labour supply, health and retirement

Analysing the key margins of labour supply behaviour across the life cycle and investigating the importance of tax and benefit incentives, health conditions and pension arrangements. The research concerns the design of policies that are best adapted to the changing demands for different skills and to the changing composition of families.

Savings, housing and consumer behaviour

Incorporating new measures of preferences, beliefs, information and expectations to study consumption and saving behaviour. This research draws implications for savings taxation and pension reform and explores the linkages between housing and saving, examining the impact of unsynchronised demographic change and global financial markets.

Firms and corporate behaviour

Studying where and why firms locate innovative activity in an increasingly global economy. This research investigates how taxes influence the return to risky investment and choices over employment, self-employment and entrepreneurship. It also looks at what determines the products retailers offer and the prices consumers pay.