Public spending homepage

Last updated: 01 October 2015

This section of the website provides an introduction to public spending in the UK. Follow the links below to learn more about:

Overview of public spending

• Trends in total public spending over time 
• UK public spending compared with other countries 
• The composition of public spending

Current issues in public spending

• The 2015 Spending Review
• Recent cuts to public spending
• Future pressures

Long-run trends in areas of public spending

• Social security
• Health
• Education
• Defence
• Public order and safety
• Transport
• Official development assistance
• Debt interest payments

Definitions and planning public spending

• How and when is spending allocated?
• A short history of the methods used to plan public spending in the UK

Other useful resources

• A compilation of recent IFS research relating to public spending 
• Public spending page of the IFS 2015 general election website 
• This information and more (last updated August 2014) available in pdf form as a briefing note
• For the latest figures on departmental spending plans, see HM Treasury's Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 2015
• A list of the major government departments, along with their functions 
• The Institute for Government's Whitehall Monitor 

For further information on public spending in the UK, contact Rowena Crawford.