Today the Office for National Statistics published its inflation figures for the year to January 2011. We find that although today's figures show that the headline rate of inflation is high, there is relatively little variation in average inflation rates across household types.

The Universal Credit will dramatically change the welfare system for working-age adults. If successful, it will make the welfare system more effective and coherent. But it will create winners and losers in the process.

Between 2010-11 and 2013-14 average incomes are forecast to stagnate and both absolute and relative poverty among children and working-age adults are expected to rise, according to projections funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and published today by the IFS.

A series of changes to the tax and benefit system, announced both by the last government and the current one, is being implemented across the UK between January 2011 and April 2014. Some of these changes involve increases in tax payments, particularly affecting those on higher incomes. Some will reduce benefit entitlements. Their impact on the regions of the UK will depend on the incomes of the regions' residents and the degree of their dependence on benefits.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies has announced that Paul Johnson is to be its new Director.

An initial reaction to the OBR's first economic and fiscal outlook.

Britain's tax system is ripe for reform in ways that could significantly increase people's welfare and improve the performance of the economy.