The Institute for Fiscal Studies
@theifs.bsky.social
Official account for Britain’s leading independent economic research institute. https://ifs.org.uk/
Pinned
NEW: How do Plan 2 student loans (for those who started university courses between 2012 and 2022) work?
And how have recent changes to the repayment terms changed how much graduates can expect to repay?
🧵 IFS Senior Research Economist Kate Ogden explains:
And how have recent changes to the repayment terms changed how much graduates can expect to repay?
🧵 IFS Senior Research Economist Kate Ogden explains:
We're inviting paper submissions for the 1st annual CEP-IFS Labour Conference, which takes place in London on 15–16 June 2026.
📅 Find out more about the conference and how to submit papers by Friday 13 February here: cep.lse.ac.uk/_new/events/...
📅 Find out more about the conference and how to submit papers by Friday 13 February here: cep.lse.ac.uk/_new/events/...
📢 Call for papers: 1st Annual CEP–IFS Labour Conference
London | 15–16 June 2026
We invite labour economics papers on wages & inequality, firm wage-setting, monopsony, unions, worker mobility & place-based policies.
Submit by 13 Feb 2026.
🔗 Details & submissions: https://ow.ly/yvGJ50XY3fK
London | 15–16 June 2026
We invite labour economics papers on wages & inequality, firm wage-setting, monopsony, unions, worker mobility & place-based policies.
Submit by 13 Feb 2026.
🔗 Details & submissions: https://ow.ly/yvGJ50XY3fK
February 6, 2026 at 3:22 PM
We're inviting paper submissions for the 1st annual CEP-IFS Labour Conference, which takes place in London on 15–16 June 2026.
📅 Find out more about the conference and how to submit papers by Friday 13 February here: cep.lse.ac.uk/_new/events/...
📅 Find out more about the conference and how to submit papers by Friday 13 February here: cep.lse.ac.uk/_new/events/...
NEW PODCAST: Did inflation cause the cost of living crisis?
🎧 @helenmiller.bsky.social, @peterlevell.bsky.social and former Bank of England MPC member David Miles investigate inflation: what it is, why it's been high recently, who it hits hardest and more.
Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/did...
🎧 @helenmiller.bsky.social, @peterlevell.bsky.social and former Bank of England MPC member David Miles investigate inflation: what it is, why it's been high recently, who it hits hardest and more.
Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/did...
February 6, 2026 at 2:14 PM
NEW PODCAST: Did inflation cause the cost of living crisis?
🎧 @helenmiller.bsky.social, @peterlevell.bsky.social and former Bank of England MPC member David Miles investigate inflation: what it is, why it's been high recently, who it hits hardest and more.
Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/did...
🎧 @helenmiller.bsky.social, @peterlevell.bsky.social and former Bank of England MPC member David Miles investigate inflation: what it is, why it's been high recently, who it hits hardest and more.
Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/did...
Reposted by The Institute for Fiscal Studies
An excellent and much-needed explainer of our complicated and controversial student loans system
NEW: How do Plan 2 student loans (for those who started university courses between 2012 and 2022) work?
And how have recent changes to the repayment terms changed how much graduates can expect to repay?
🧵 IFS Senior Research Economist Kate Ogden explains:
And how have recent changes to the repayment terms changed how much graduates can expect to repay?
🧵 IFS Senior Research Economist Kate Ogden explains:
February 6, 2026 at 1:20 PM
An excellent and much-needed explainer of our complicated and controversial student loans system
Reposted by The Institute for Fiscal Studies
This week's episode of The Rundown is such a great conversation about the student loan debate
ft @theifs.bsky.social's Kate Ogden, the @smfthinktank.bsky.social's Dani Payne, Labour MP @chriscurtis94.bsky.social and colleague @siennarodgers.bsky.social
Hosted by @alaintolhurst.bsky.social
ft @theifs.bsky.social's Kate Ogden, the @smfthinktank.bsky.social's Dani Payne, Labour MP @chriscurtis94.bsky.social and colleague @siennarodgers.bsky.social
Hosted by @alaintolhurst.bsky.social
The Rundown by PoliticsHome: Solving the student loan 'scam'
This week we’re delving into the world of student finance, after a long-simmering row over the loan system for how graduates pay back the cost of their tuition exploded into the mainstream, with ...
podfollow.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:23 AM
This week's episode of The Rundown is such a great conversation about the student loan debate
ft @theifs.bsky.social's Kate Ogden, the @smfthinktank.bsky.social's Dani Payne, Labour MP @chriscurtis94.bsky.social and colleague @siennarodgers.bsky.social
Hosted by @alaintolhurst.bsky.social
ft @theifs.bsky.social's Kate Ogden, the @smfthinktank.bsky.social's Dani Payne, Labour MP @chriscurtis94.bsky.social and colleague @siennarodgers.bsky.social
Hosted by @alaintolhurst.bsky.social
NEW: How do Plan 2 student loans (for those who started university courses between 2012 and 2022) work?
And how have recent changes to the repayment terms changed how much graduates can expect to repay?
🧵 IFS Senior Research Economist Kate Ogden explains:
And how have recent changes to the repayment terms changed how much graduates can expect to repay?
🧵 IFS Senior Research Economist Kate Ogden explains:
February 6, 2026 at 12:38 PM
NEW: How do Plan 2 student loans (for those who started university courses between 2012 and 2022) work?
And how have recent changes to the repayment terms changed how much graduates can expect to repay?
🧵 IFS Senior Research Economist Kate Ogden explains:
And how have recent changes to the repayment terms changed how much graduates can expect to repay?
🧵 IFS Senior Research Economist Kate Ogden explains:
NEW: The Scottish Budget and Spending Review signal big shifts in health and investment spending, but relying on ambitious efficiency targets for these brings risk.
🧵THREAD on @beeboileau.bsky.social, Martin Brogaard and David Phillips’ new Scottish Budget 2026–27 report:
🧵THREAD on @beeboileau.bsky.social, Martin Brogaard and David Phillips’ new Scottish Budget 2026–27 report:
February 6, 2026 at 8:50 AM
NEW: The Scottish Budget and Spending Review signal big shifts in health and investment spending, but relying on ambitious efficiency targets for these brings risk.
🧵THREAD on @beeboileau.bsky.social, Martin Brogaard and David Phillips’ new Scottish Budget 2026–27 report:
🧵THREAD on @beeboileau.bsky.social, Martin Brogaard and David Phillips’ new Scottish Budget 2026–27 report:
NEW #IFSWorkingPaper: Parents in the classroom: strengthening government capacity to deliver early childhood education
📗 Read Bet Caeyers, Lina Cardona Sosa, @Sarah_Cattan, Sonya Krutikova and @absidd.bsky.social's paper on the Lively Minds programme in Ghana here: ifs.org.uk/publications...
📗 Read Bet Caeyers, Lina Cardona Sosa, @Sarah_Cattan, Sonya Krutikova and @absidd.bsky.social's paper on the Lively Minds programme in Ghana here: ifs.org.uk/publications...
February 5, 2026 at 11:27 AM
NEW #IFSWorkingPaper: Parents in the classroom: strengthening government capacity to deliver early childhood education
📗 Read Bet Caeyers, Lina Cardona Sosa, @Sarah_Cattan, Sonya Krutikova and @absidd.bsky.social's paper on the Lively Minds programme in Ghana here: ifs.org.uk/publications...
📗 Read Bet Caeyers, Lina Cardona Sosa, @Sarah_Cattan, Sonya Krutikova and @absidd.bsky.social's paper on the Lively Minds programme in Ghana here: ifs.org.uk/publications...
'Around 8% of kids are forecast to be on Education, Health and Care Plans by the end of the decade.'
In our podcast, @ckfarquharson.bsky.social explains the special needs funding crisis and what it means for the decade ahead in our podcast.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/wha...
In our podcast, @ckfarquharson.bsky.social explains the special needs funding crisis and what it means for the decade ahead in our podcast.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/wha...
February 4, 2026 at 11:05 AM
'Around 8% of kids are forecast to be on Education, Health and Care Plans by the end of the decade.'
In our podcast, @ckfarquharson.bsky.social explains the special needs funding crisis and what it means for the decade ahead in our podcast.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/wha...
In our podcast, @ckfarquharson.bsky.social explains the special needs funding crisis and what it means for the decade ahead in our podcast.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/wha...
Reposted by The Institute for Fiscal Studies
A very nice piece of analysis on an important but under-discussed policy shift: the government is re-aligning council funding with assessments of how much they "need", and is providing councils in more deprived areas with larger increases in funding. These choices really matter for local services.
NEW: Will planned reforms achieve ‘fair funding’ for English councils?
🧵 Kate Ogden and David Phillips explain how the reformed system will more closely align councils’ funding allocations with their spending needs, with some notable exceptions:
🧵 Kate Ogden and David Phillips explain how the reformed system will more closely align councils’ funding allocations with their spending needs, with some notable exceptions:
February 4, 2026 at 9:34 AM
A very nice piece of analysis on an important but under-discussed policy shift: the government is re-aligning council funding with assessments of how much they "need", and is providing councils in more deprived areas with larger increases in funding. These choices really matter for local services.
NEW: Will planned reforms achieve ‘fair funding’ for English councils?
🧵 Kate Ogden and David Phillips explain how the reformed system will more closely align councils’ funding allocations with their spending needs, with some notable exceptions:
🧵 Kate Ogden and David Phillips explain how the reformed system will more closely align councils’ funding allocations with their spending needs, with some notable exceptions:
February 4, 2026 at 9:22 AM
NEW: Will planned reforms achieve ‘fair funding’ for English councils?
🧵 Kate Ogden and David Phillips explain how the reformed system will more closely align councils’ funding allocations with their spending needs, with some notable exceptions:
🧵 Kate Ogden and David Phillips explain how the reformed system will more closely align councils’ funding allocations with their spending needs, with some notable exceptions:
How might new weight‑loss drugs like Ozempic impact the labour market and pressures on public services?
@ckfarquharson.bsky.social explores the links between health, obesity, affordability and people’s ability to participate in work in our podcast.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/wha...
@ckfarquharson.bsky.social explores the links between health, obesity, affordability and people’s ability to participate in work in our podcast.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/wha...
February 3, 2026 at 10:03 AM
How might new weight‑loss drugs like Ozempic impact the labour market and pressures on public services?
@ckfarquharson.bsky.social explores the links between health, obesity, affordability and people’s ability to participate in work in our podcast.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/wha...
@ckfarquharson.bsky.social explores the links between health, obesity, affordability and people’s ability to participate in work in our podcast.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/wha...
NEW: The NHS is offering its support staff more career opportunities – but so far, mostly in wealthier areas.
📗 Olly Harvey-Rich, Elaine Kelly & Isabel Stockton’s new report examines the career pathways available to NHS support staff and how opportunities differ across England:
📗 Olly Harvey-Rich, Elaine Kelly & Isabel Stockton’s new report examines the career pathways available to NHS support staff and how opportunities differ across England:
February 3, 2026 at 8:45 AM
NEW: The NHS is offering its support staff more career opportunities – but so far, mostly in wealthier areas.
📗 Olly Harvey-Rich, Elaine Kelly & Isabel Stockton’s new report examines the career pathways available to NHS support staff and how opportunities differ across England:
📗 Olly Harvey-Rich, Elaine Kelly & Isabel Stockton’s new report examines the career pathways available to NHS support staff and how opportunities differ across England:
Are you undertaking a PhD and are interested working at IFS?
Applications close this Friday at 11:59pm for our PhD Studentships and PhD Enrichment placements.
Find out more about the schemes and apply here: ifs.org.uk/jobs
Applications close this Friday at 11:59pm for our PhD Studentships and PhD Enrichment placements.
Find out more about the schemes and apply here: ifs.org.uk/jobs
February 2, 2026 at 12:21 PM
Are you undertaking a PhD and are interested working at IFS?
Applications close this Friday at 11:59pm for our PhD Studentships and PhD Enrichment placements.
Find out more about the schemes and apply here: ifs.org.uk/jobs
Applications close this Friday at 11:59pm for our PhD Studentships and PhD Enrichment placements.
Find out more about the schemes and apply here: ifs.org.uk/jobs
Reposted by The Institute for Fiscal Studies
📢 Call for papers: 1st Annual CEP–IFS Labour Conference
London | 15–16 June 2026
We invite labour economics papers on wages & inequality, firm wage-setting, monopsony, unions, worker mobility & place-based policies.
Submit by 13 Feb 2026.
🔗 Details & submissions: ow.ly/yvGJ50XY3fK
London | 15–16 June 2026
We invite labour economics papers on wages & inequality, firm wage-setting, monopsony, unions, worker mobility & place-based policies.
Submit by 13 Feb 2026.
🔗 Details & submissions: ow.ly/yvGJ50XY3fK
February 1, 2026 at 11:18 PM
📢 Call for papers: 1st Annual CEP–IFS Labour Conference
London | 15–16 June 2026
We invite labour economics papers on wages & inequality, firm wage-setting, monopsony, unions, worker mobility & place-based policies.
Submit by 13 Feb 2026.
🔗 Details & submissions: ow.ly/yvGJ50XY3fK
London | 15–16 June 2026
We invite labour economics papers on wages & inequality, firm wage-setting, monopsony, unions, worker mobility & place-based policies.
Submit by 13 Feb 2026.
🔗 Details & submissions: ow.ly/yvGJ50XY3fK
'About 1 in 10 working age people now get a health-related benefit.'
IFS Associate Director Tom Waters discusses the rise in disability benefit claims and why more working‑age and younger people are now receiving health‑related support in our podcast.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/wha...
IFS Associate Director Tom Waters discusses the rise in disability benefit claims and why more working‑age and younger people are now receiving health‑related support in our podcast.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/wha...
February 2, 2026 at 9:02 AM
'About 1 in 10 working age people now get a health-related benefit.'
IFS Associate Director Tom Waters discusses the rise in disability benefit claims and why more working‑age and younger people are now receiving health‑related support in our podcast.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/wha...
IFS Associate Director Tom Waters discusses the rise in disability benefit claims and why more working‑age and younger people are now receiving health‑related support in our podcast.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/wha...
How are rising employer NICs, higher minimum wages and upcoming employment rights changes affecting the labour market?
IFS Associate Director Tom Waters sets out the possible trends for youth unemployment in 2026 in our podcast.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/wha...
IFS Associate Director Tom Waters sets out the possible trends for youth unemployment in 2026 in our podcast.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/wha...
February 1, 2026 at 9:45 AM
How are rising employer NICs, higher minimum wages and upcoming employment rights changes affecting the labour market?
IFS Associate Director Tom Waters sets out the possible trends for youth unemployment in 2026 in our podcast.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/wha...
IFS Associate Director Tom Waters sets out the possible trends for youth unemployment in 2026 in our podcast.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/wha...
'There are pretty big long‑term consequences for starting out your life in this kind of disengaged or detached group.'
@ckfarquharson.bsky.social explains what NEETs are and why they are a group to worry about in our podcast on 2026's economic prospects.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/wha...
@ckfarquharson.bsky.social explains what NEETs are and why they are a group to worry about in our podcast on 2026's economic prospects.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/wha...
January 31, 2026 at 10:45 AM
'There are pretty big long‑term consequences for starting out your life in this kind of disengaged or detached group.'
@ckfarquharson.bsky.social explains what NEETs are and why they are a group to worry about in our podcast on 2026's economic prospects.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/wha...
@ckfarquharson.bsky.social explains what NEETs are and why they are a group to worry about in our podcast on 2026's economic prospects.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/wha...
📊 #IFSSatStat: The 2025 Budget changed student loan terms affecting those who started courses between 2012 and 2022. A repayment threshold freeze will see many repay more each month.
Over their lifetimes, those who started in 2022 can expect to pay £3,200 (6%) more on average.
Over their lifetimes, those who started in 2022 can expect to pay £3,200 (6%) more on average.
January 31, 2026 at 9:00 AM
📊 #IFSSatStat: The 2025 Budget changed student loan terms affecting those who started courses between 2012 and 2022. A repayment threshold freeze will see many repay more each month.
Over their lifetimes, those who started in 2022 can expect to pay £3,200 (6%) more on average.
Over their lifetimes, those who started in 2022 can expect to pay £3,200 (6%) more on average.
EVENT: Does the UK fiscal framework need a rethink?
Thurs 19 Feb | 3pm – 5pm
@benzaranko.bsky.social presents a major new report on the UK fiscal framework, with panelists @chrisgiles.ft.com, Victoria Clarke, Rupert Harrison & @helenmiller.bsky.social.
📅 Sign up here ⬇️ ifs.org.uk/events/does-...
Thurs 19 Feb | 3pm – 5pm
@benzaranko.bsky.social presents a major new report on the UK fiscal framework, with panelists @chrisgiles.ft.com, Victoria Clarke, Rupert Harrison & @helenmiller.bsky.social.
📅 Sign up here ⬇️ ifs.org.uk/events/does-...
January 30, 2026 at 12:34 PM
EVENT: Does the UK fiscal framework need a rethink?
Thurs 19 Feb | 3pm – 5pm
@benzaranko.bsky.social presents a major new report on the UK fiscal framework, with panelists @chrisgiles.ft.com, Victoria Clarke, Rupert Harrison & @helenmiller.bsky.social.
📅 Sign up here ⬇️ ifs.org.uk/events/does-...
Thurs 19 Feb | 3pm – 5pm
@benzaranko.bsky.social presents a major new report on the UK fiscal framework, with panelists @chrisgiles.ft.com, Victoria Clarke, Rupert Harrison & @helenmiller.bsky.social.
📅 Sign up here ⬇️ ifs.org.uk/events/does-...
Reposted by The Institute for Fiscal Studies
Great to make first appearance on IFS Zooms In Pod. @helenmiller.bsky.social and I were joined by the excellent @alanmanning4.bsky.social to talk about what's happened to to the UK minimum wage, and what impact its having on the UK labour market. Give it a listen.
NEW PODCAST: Is the minimum wage costing jobs?
@helenmiller.bsky.social, @eduinlatimer.bsky.social and @alanmanning4.bsky.social discuss what we know and what we don't know about the UK minimum wage in our new podcast.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/min...
@helenmiller.bsky.social, @eduinlatimer.bsky.social and @alanmanning4.bsky.social discuss what we know and what we don't know about the UK minimum wage in our new podcast.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/min...
January 29, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Great to make first appearance on IFS Zooms In Pod. @helenmiller.bsky.social and I were joined by the excellent @alanmanning4.bsky.social to talk about what's happened to to the UK minimum wage, and what impact its having on the UK labour market. Give it a listen.
NEW PODCAST: Is the minimum wage costing jobs?
@helenmiller.bsky.social, @eduinlatimer.bsky.social and @alanmanning4.bsky.social discuss what we know and what we don't know about the UK minimum wage in our new podcast.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/min...
@helenmiller.bsky.social, @eduinlatimer.bsky.social and @alanmanning4.bsky.social discuss what we know and what we don't know about the UK minimum wage in our new podcast.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/min...
January 29, 2026 at 4:22 PM
NEW PODCAST: Is the minimum wage costing jobs?
@helenmiller.bsky.social, @eduinlatimer.bsky.social and @alanmanning4.bsky.social discuss what we know and what we don't know about the UK minimum wage in our new podcast.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/min...
@helenmiller.bsky.social, @eduinlatimer.bsky.social and @alanmanning4.bsky.social discuss what we know and what we don't know about the UK minimum wage in our new podcast.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/min...
'The NHS is really the golden child of public spending'
In our latest podcast, @maxwarner.bsky.social outlines how NHS spending has grown over time and the implications for allocating funding and service improvement.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/why...
In our latest podcast, @maxwarner.bsky.social outlines how NHS spending has grown over time and the implications for allocating funding and service improvement.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/why...
January 29, 2026 at 9:02 AM
'The NHS is really the golden child of public spending'
In our latest podcast, @maxwarner.bsky.social outlines how NHS spending has grown over time and the implications for allocating funding and service improvement.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/why...
In our latest podcast, @maxwarner.bsky.social outlines how NHS spending has grown over time and the implications for allocating funding and service improvement.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/why...
Reposted by The Institute for Fiscal Studies
Are you an outstanding communicator who knows loads about the UK public finances? Are you attracted by the prospect of a public voice, and the chance to work alongside brilliant economists at the country's finest think tank?
We'd like to hear from you: app.beapplied.com/apply/4t6eys...
We'd like to hear from you: app.beapplied.com/apply/4t6eys...
January 27, 2026 at 3:59 PM
Are you an outstanding communicator who knows loads about the UK public finances? Are you attracted by the prospect of a public voice, and the chance to work alongside brilliant economists at the country's finest think tank?
We'd like to hear from you: app.beapplied.com/apply/4t6eys...
We'd like to hear from you: app.beapplied.com/apply/4t6eys...
'Productivity is above target in terms of growth, but the waiting list is falling really quite slowly.'
@maxwarner.bsky.social explains why increased NHS hospital activity hasn't translated into large falls in waiting lists in our latest podcast.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/why...
@maxwarner.bsky.social explains why increased NHS hospital activity hasn't translated into large falls in waiting lists in our latest podcast.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/why...
January 28, 2026 at 9:31 AM
'Productivity is above target in terms of growth, but the waiting list is falling really quite slowly.'
@maxwarner.bsky.social explains why increased NHS hospital activity hasn't translated into large falls in waiting lists in our latest podcast.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/why...
@maxwarner.bsky.social explains why increased NHS hospital activity hasn't translated into large falls in waiting lists in our latest podcast.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/why...
'Productivity being disappointing or spending coming in lower than planned will limit how much performance can improve over the rest of this Parliament.'
In our latest podcast @maxwarner.bsky.social outlines the possible trajectories for NHS performance.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/why...
In our latest podcast @maxwarner.bsky.social outlines the possible trajectories for NHS performance.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/why...
January 27, 2026 at 1:04 PM
'Productivity being disappointing or spending coming in lower than planned will limit how much performance can improve over the rest of this Parliament.'
In our latest podcast @maxwarner.bsky.social outlines the possible trajectories for NHS performance.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/why...
In our latest podcast @maxwarner.bsky.social outlines the possible trajectories for NHS performance.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/why...