Ben Zaranko
Research Economist
Education
MSc Economics (Distinction), University College London, 2020
BA Economics and Management (1st class), University of Oxford, 2016
Ben joined the IFS as a Research Economist in 2017. His work focuses on the public finances, with a particular focus on public spending, and on the health and social care system. Current research projects include analysis of the impact of cuts to social care spending on hospitals, an investigation of socioeconomic inequalities in healthcare utilisation, and a study into the effects of disruptions to teams of nursing staff. Before joining the IFS, Ben worked in the private sector as an actuarial consultant.
Academic outputs
IFS Working Paper W20/40
This paper examines the impact of changes in public long-term care spending on the use of public hospitals among the older population in England, and the cost and quality of this care.
Journal article | Fiscal Studies, Volume 41, Issue 2
This paper discusses likely implications for healthcare delivery in the short and medium term of the responses to the coronavirus pandemic, focusing primarily on the implications for non‐coronavirus patients.
Reports and comment
Observation
We find that reductions in social care spending led to substantial increases in use of Accident & Emergency (A&E) departments by individuals aged 65 and above. The impacts were most pronounced among the very oldest (those aged 85 and above) and those living in more deprived neighbourhoods.
Observation
The 2020 Spending Review, due to conclude on 25 November, will not be the comprehensive, multi-year review we were originally promised. Instead, the Chancellor has decided to set plans for 2021−22 only – a sensible decision in the circumstances. But while this Spending Review might be more ...
Presentations
Presentation
IFS researchers presented their initial analysis of the Chancellor's announcements at an online briefing the day after the 2020 Spending Review.
Presentation
This year's Spending Review is likely to be the most difficult to date. At this event, Ben Zaranko looked ahead to the upcoming Spending Review, and outlined the options, opportunities and challenges facing the Chancellor. He was joined by Graham Atkins from IfG, who looked at the impact of Covid ...