Downloads
bn92.pdf
PDF | 565.23 KB
Even more than in previous elections, the appropriate size of the state − measured by public spending as a share of national income − is a key issue. This briefing note describes the trends in public spending since Labour came to office in 1997. Section 2 compares the levels of public spending under Labour to date with historical levels and spending in other OECD countries. Section 3 compares the growth in the main components of public spending seen under Labour, both before and after the start of the financial crisis, with growth seen under previous governments. Section 4 considers productivity in public service provision, and how the increased spending under the Labour government compares with changes in measured output.
Authors
Deputy Director
Carl, a Deputy Director, is an editor of the IFS Green Budget, is expert on the UK pension system and sits on the Social Security Advisory Committee.
Robert Chote
Gemma Tetlow
Rowena Crawford
Report details
- DOI
- 10.1920/bn.ifs.2010.0092
- Publisher
- Institute for Fiscal Studies
Suggested citation
Chote, R et al. (2010). Public spending under Labour. London: Institute for Fiscal Studies. Available at: https://ifs.org.uk/publications/public-spending-under-labour (accessed: 6 May 2024).
More from IFS
Understand this issue
Should we worry about government debt?
11 April 2024
Public investment: what you need to know
25 April 2024
The £600 billion problem awaiting the next government
25 April 2024
Policy analysis
Recent trends in and the outlook for health-related benefits
19 April 2024
4.2 million working-age people now claiming health-related benefits, could rise by 30% by the end of the decade
19 April 2024
Oil and gas make Scotland’s underlying public finances particularly volatile and uncertain
27 March 2024
Academic research
Do work search requirements work? Evidence from a UK reform targeting single parents
1 February 2023
The impact of area level mental health interventions on outcomes for secondary school pupils: Evidence from the HeadStart programme in England
13 October 2022
Prioritization, risk selection, and illness severity in a mixed health care system
16 June 2022