Government finances and spending

Health spending planned to fall in England and Scotland in 2024–25, suggesting a top-up likely

Comment

Day-to-day spending on health in England is planned to fall in 2024–25 compared with the latest budgets for 2023–24.

4 March 2024

The way Chancellors respond to economic news adds to our debt - here's why

Explainer

Chancellors don’t respond symmetrically to good and bad economic news. The result is higher debt.

1 March 2024

Spring Budget 2024: the Chancellor’s options

Presentation

At this online event, IFS researchers outlined some of the constraints facing the Chancellor ahead of the Spring Budget.

27 February 2024

The context for the March 2024 Budget

Report

How might the outlook for the public finances change and how should the Chancellor’s tax and spending plans change in response in the Budget?

27 February 2024

What will the Budget mean for councils?

Comment

This comment published in The MJ looks at what the Chancellor's Spring Budget could mean for councils

27 February 2024

Scottish Budget 2024-25: IFS analysis

Presentation

Ahead of the final Scottish Parliament vote on the Budget, IFS researchers presented their analysis of the proposals.

22 February 2024

Scottish Budget 2024–25

Collection

Read all our analysis of the Scottish Budget for 2024–25.

22 February 2024

The IFS Scottish Budget Report – 2024–25

Report

This report looks at the key budgetary and public service issues for the Scottish Government for the 2024–25 financial year and beyond.

22 February 2024

Top-ups to the Scottish Budget for 2024–25 are likely – but huge uncertainty on their scale

Comment

More funding to top up the Scottish Government’s 2024–25 spending plans is likely to become available – but just how much is highly uncertain.

22 February 2024

Scottish Budget: Higher education spending

Report

How much does the Scottish Government spend on higher education, and what challenges does it face on university funding and living cost support?

20 February 2024

Are councils in crisis?

Podcast

Why are local councils facing funding pressures? What can government do to help them?

14 February 2024

How tight public finances will shape the 2024 election

Explainer

Ben Zaranko explains how the next general election will be shaped by the fiscal challenges facing the political parties.

13 February 2024

The changes to Labour's green investment plan explained

Explainer

Ben Zaranko explains Labour's latest announcement that it will no longer seek to spend £28 billion per year on green investment.

9 February 2024

IFS response to Labour's announcement on plans for green investment

Comment

An initial response to Labour's announcement that it will no longer seek to spend £28 billion per year on green investment

8 February 2024

Scottish Budget: Tax and spending in 2024–25

Report

The Scottish Government is raising taxes on the 5% highest-income Scots, but health funding is, on current plans, set to fall in real terms next year.

6 February 2024

Scottish Budget: The medium-term outlook and choices

Report

Devolved income tax revenues are forecast to boost the Scottish Government’s funding over the next five years, but many services could still see cuts.

6 February 2024