The Institute for Fiscal Studies
@theifs.bsky.social
Official account for Britain’s leading independent economic research institute. https://ifs.org.uk/
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IFS Sure Start research wins ONS Research Excellence Award 2025 | Institute for Fiscal Studies
We are pleased to announce that our research on the effects of Sure Start on children’s outcomes has been awarded ONS' Impact of Analysis Award.
ifs.org.uk
We're pleased to share that our report on the effects of Sure Start on children’s outcomes has won the 'Impact of Analysis' Award in this year's ONS Research Excellence Awards.
🏆 Find out more: ifs.org.uk/news/ifs-sur...
🏆 Find out more: ifs.org.uk/news/ifs-sur...
Applications to lead our programme of economic research on health and/or healthcare as an IFS Associate Director close this Sunday.
📅 Find out more about the role and apply by 11:59 Sunday 11 January here: app.beapplied.com/apply/jfzr0z...
📅 Find out more about the role and apply by 11:59 Sunday 11 January here: app.beapplied.com/apply/jfzr0z...
January 5, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Applications to lead our programme of economic research on health and/or healthcare as an IFS Associate Director close this Sunday.
📅 Find out more about the role and apply by 11:59 Sunday 11 January here: app.beapplied.com/apply/jfzr0z...
📅 Find out more about the role and apply by 11:59 Sunday 11 January here: app.beapplied.com/apply/jfzr0z...
Accepted onto or working on an economics PhD? We're accepting applications until Friday 6 Feb for our PhD Studentship Awards and our PhD Enrichment Placements scheme.
📊 Find out more here: ifs.org.uk/jobs
📊 Find out more here: ifs.org.uk/jobs
January 4, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Accepted onto or working on an economics PhD? We're accepting applications until Friday 6 Feb for our PhD Studentship Awards and our PhD Enrichment Placements scheme.
📊 Find out more here: ifs.org.uk/jobs
📊 Find out more here: ifs.org.uk/jobs
📉 #IFSSatStat: The UK’s total fertility rate has fallen from 1.9 babies per woman in 2010 to 1.4 by 2024, well below the replacement rate of around 2.1.
The ONS expects fertility to stabilise at about 1.4–1.5 in the future, but these forecasts have previously proved optimistic.
The ONS expects fertility to stabilise at about 1.4–1.5 in the future, but these forecasts have previously proved optimistic.
January 3, 2026 at 9:15 AM
📉 #IFSSatStat: The UK’s total fertility rate has fallen from 1.9 babies per woman in 2010 to 1.4 by 2024, well below the replacement rate of around 2.1.
The ONS expects fertility to stabilise at about 1.4–1.5 in the future, but these forecasts have previously proved optimistic.
The ONS expects fertility to stabilise at about 1.4–1.5 in the future, but these forecasts have previously proved optimistic.
Are you an economics student interested in how microeconomics can be applied to public policy issues?
📊 Apply for our Summer Student scheme offering paid placements in an IFS research term this summer– find out more and apply here by Sunday 11 January: app.beapplied.com/apply/xkr9pu...
📊 Apply for our Summer Student scheme offering paid placements in an IFS research term this summer– find out more and apply here by Sunday 11 January: app.beapplied.com/apply/xkr9pu...
January 2, 2026 at 9:19 AM
Are you an economics student interested in how microeconomics can be applied to public policy issues?
📊 Apply for our Summer Student scheme offering paid placements in an IFS research term this summer– find out more and apply here by Sunday 11 January: app.beapplied.com/apply/xkr9pu...
📊 Apply for our Summer Student scheme offering paid placements in an IFS research term this summer– find out more and apply here by Sunday 11 January: app.beapplied.com/apply/xkr9pu...
Our IFS Zooms In podcast series this year has covered everything from education policy and intergenerational inequalities, to tax and benefit changes and the impact of tariffs.
🎧 Listen to our podcasts from 2025 here: ifs.org.uk/podcasts-exp...
🎧 Listen to our podcasts from 2025 here: ifs.org.uk/podcasts-exp...
December 31, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Our IFS Zooms In podcast series this year has covered everything from education policy and intergenerational inequalities, to tax and benefit changes and the impact of tariffs.
🎧 Listen to our podcasts from 2025 here: ifs.org.uk/podcasts-exp...
🎧 Listen to our podcasts from 2025 here: ifs.org.uk/podcasts-exp...
How can we improve the UK pension system and secure better standards of living for future pensioners?
📗 Read the recommendations from our Pensions Review this year here: ifs.org.uk/publications...
📗 Read the recommendations from our Pensions Review this year here: ifs.org.uk/publications...
The Pensions Review: final recommendations | Institute for Fiscal Studies
We provide concrete recommendations to improve the UK pension system to secure better standards of living for future pensioners.
ifs.org.uk
December 30, 2025 at 10:02 AM
How can we improve the UK pension system and secure better standards of living for future pensioners?
📗 Read the recommendations from our Pensions Review this year here: ifs.org.uk/publications...
📗 Read the recommendations from our Pensions Review this year here: ifs.org.uk/publications...
Our Be the Chancellor tool, created by IFS researchers in partnership with @nestauk.bsky.social, lets you make your own choices on UK taxes and spending, adjust growth assumptions and interest rates, and shows the effects on debt and borrowing.
📊 Try it out here ⬇️ ifs.org.uk/be-chancellor
📊 Try it out here ⬇️ ifs.org.uk/be-chancellor
Be the Chancellor | Institute for Fiscal Studies
Our interactive tool lets you be the Chancellor. Change spending plans, set tax policies and see how your choices impact borrowing and debt.
ifs.org.uk
December 29, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Our Be the Chancellor tool, created by IFS researchers in partnership with @nestauk.bsky.social, lets you make your own choices on UK taxes and spending, adjust growth assumptions and interest rates, and shows the effects on debt and borrowing.
📊 Try it out here ⬇️ ifs.org.uk/be-chancellor
📊 Try it out here ⬇️ ifs.org.uk/be-chancellor
There's now just one week left to apply to join IFS for a two-year Postdoctoral Fellowship in collaboration with the Administrative Fairness Lab.
📅 Find out more about the role and apply here by Sun 4 Jan 2026: econjobmarket.org/positions/12...
📅 Find out more about the role and apply here by Sun 4 Jan 2026: econjobmarket.org/positions/12...
December 28, 2025 at 10:13 AM
There's now just one week left to apply to join IFS for a two-year Postdoctoral Fellowship in collaboration with the Administrative Fairness Lab.
📅 Find out more about the role and apply here by Sun 4 Jan 2026: econjobmarket.org/positions/12...
📅 Find out more about the role and apply here by Sun 4 Jan 2026: econjobmarket.org/positions/12...
📈 #IFSSatStat: Overall health has improved modestly on average among men in their late 50s and early 60s over time.
Women, in contrast, have not seen the same improvement, with a notable rise in the share with a concentrated number of health problems.
Women, in contrast, have not seen the same improvement, with a notable rise in the share with a concentrated number of health problems.
December 27, 2025 at 10:15 AM
📈 #IFSSatStat: Overall health has improved modestly on average among men in their late 50s and early 60s over time.
Women, in contrast, have not seen the same improvement, with a notable rise in the share with a concentrated number of health problems.
Women, in contrast, have not seen the same improvement, with a notable rise in the share with a concentrated number of health problems.
IFS doesn't have a large endowment; support from our members helps us to provide timely, rigorous analysis that is fully independent and free to access.
Find out more about becoming an IFS member here: ifs.org.uk/individual-m...
Find out more about becoming an IFS member here: ifs.org.uk/individual-m...
December 24, 2025 at 10:01 AM
IFS doesn't have a large endowment; support from our members helps us to provide timely, rigorous analysis that is fully independent and free to access.
Find out more about becoming an IFS member here: ifs.org.uk/individual-m...
Find out more about becoming an IFS member here: ifs.org.uk/individual-m...
Our multi-award-winning report this year found that the Sure Start programme generated widespread, long-lasting benefits for children in education, health, absences, and special educational needs and disabilities.
📗 Read the report here: ifs.org.uk/publications...
📗 Read the report here: ifs.org.uk/publications...
December 23, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Our multi-award-winning report this year found that the Sure Start programme generated widespread, long-lasting benefits for children in education, health, absences, and special educational needs and disabilities.
📗 Read the report here: ifs.org.uk/publications...
📗 Read the report here: ifs.org.uk/publications...
EVENT: What happened to the children of the property boom?
📅 Monday 12 January 2026 | 10 – 11am | Online
Sign up for our event presenting new evidence on how rising house prices affected inequalities among those who grew up during the property boom: ifs.org.uk/events/what-...
📅 Monday 12 January 2026 | 10 – 11am | Online
Sign up for our event presenting new evidence on how rising house prices affected inequalities among those who grew up during the property boom: ifs.org.uk/events/what-...
What happened to the children of the property boom? | Institute for Fiscal Studies
At this online event, IFS researchers will discuss how rising house prices shaped young people’s social mobility.
ifs.org.uk
December 22, 2025 at 9:15 AM
EVENT: What happened to the children of the property boom?
📅 Monday 12 January 2026 | 10 – 11am | Online
Sign up for our event presenting new evidence on how rising house prices affected inequalities among those who grew up during the property boom: ifs.org.uk/events/what-...
📅 Monday 12 January 2026 | 10 – 11am | Online
Sign up for our event presenting new evidence on how rising house prices affected inequalities among those who grew up during the property boom: ifs.org.uk/events/what-...
📈#IFSSatStat: Core funding for English councils in the most-deprived tenth of areas will increase by 15.4% above-inflation on average over the next three years. The least-deprived tenth will see almost no real-terms growth, even if they put up council tax by the maximum.
December 20, 2025 at 9:15 AM
📈#IFSSatStat: Core funding for English councils in the most-deprived tenth of areas will increase by 15.4% above-inflation on average over the next three years. The least-deprived tenth will see almost no real-terms growth, even if they put up council tax by the maximum.
Reposted by The Institute for Fiscal Studies
New ONS public finance data today shows central government revenues are still lagging significantly below March expectations.
Given inflation has been higher than forecast, this is surprising - even VAT receipts, which one might expect to rise with inflation, are below forecast
Given inflation has been higher than forecast, this is surprising - even VAT receipts, which one might expect to rise with inflation, are below forecast
December 19, 2025 at 2:39 PM
New ONS public finance data today shows central government revenues are still lagging significantly below March expectations.
Given inflation has been higher than forecast, this is surprising - even VAT receipts, which one might expect to rise with inflation, are below forecast
Given inflation has been higher than forecast, this is surprising - even VAT receipts, which one might expect to rise with inflation, are below forecast
EVENT: Shaping education funding for the challenges to come
📅 Wed 21 January 2026 | 10:30 – 12:00 | Online
Sign up for the launch of our annual report on education spending in England, funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org: ifs.org.uk/events/shapi...
📅 Wed 21 January 2026 | 10:30 – 12:00 | Online
Sign up for the launch of our annual report on education spending in England, funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org: ifs.org.uk/events/shapi...
Shaping education funding for the challenges to come | Institute for Fiscal Studies
The online launch of 2026 IFS Annual Report on Education Spending in England, funded by the Nuffield Foundation.
ifs.org.uk
December 19, 2025 at 11:15 AM
EVENT: Shaping education funding for the challenges to come
📅 Wed 21 January 2026 | 10:30 – 12:00 | Online
Sign up for the launch of our annual report on education spending in England, funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org: ifs.org.uk/events/shapi...
📅 Wed 21 January 2026 | 10:30 – 12:00 | Online
Sign up for the launch of our annual report on education spending in England, funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org: ifs.org.uk/events/shapi...
📕 @houseoflords.parliament.uk's Economic Affairs Committee has today published its report into Preparing for an Ageing Society, drawing heavily on evidence from IFS Deputy Director Jonathan Cribb.
The Committee argues a government strategy is needed to address the challenges of an ageing society ⬇️
The Committee argues a government strategy is needed to address the challenges of an ageing society ⬇️
December 19, 2025 at 10:15 AM
📕 @houseoflords.parliament.uk's Economic Affairs Committee has today published its report into Preparing for an Ageing Society, drawing heavily on evidence from IFS Deputy Director Jonathan Cribb.
The Committee argues a government strategy is needed to address the challenges of an ageing society ⬇️
The Committee argues a government strategy is needed to address the challenges of an ageing society ⬇️
Reposted by The Institute for Fiscal Studies
The takeaway: Pollution pricing works, but adaptation is broader than typically measured.
In this case, it’s not just about cars, and focusing only on emissions or vehicle adoption misses crucial impacts on housing markets, transport networks, and business geography.
11/
In this case, it’s not just about cars, and focusing only on emissions or vehicle adoption misses crucial impacts on housing markets, transport networks, and business geography.
11/
December 17, 2025 at 5:22 PM
The takeaway: Pollution pricing works, but adaptation is broader than typically measured.
In this case, it’s not just about cars, and focusing only on emissions or vehicle adoption misses crucial impacts on housing markets, transport networks, and business geography.
11/
In this case, it’s not just about cars, and focusing only on emissions or vehicle adoption misses crucial impacts on housing markets, transport networks, and business geography.
11/
Reposted by The Institute for Fiscal Studies
NEW: How did the introduction of the Ultra-Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) change London’s geography of work?
In a new @theifs.bsky.social paper, @joelkariel.bsky.social, Fizza Jabbar and I have taken a look – and it turns out people adapt in surprising ways. A thread.
1/
In a new @theifs.bsky.social paper, @joelkariel.bsky.social, Fizza Jabbar and I have taken a look – and it turns out people adapt in surprising ways. A thread.
1/
December 17, 2025 at 5:22 PM
NEW: How did the introduction of the Ultra-Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) change London’s geography of work?
In a new @theifs.bsky.social paper, @joelkariel.bsky.social, Fizza Jabbar and I have taken a look – and it turns out people adapt in surprising ways. A thread.
1/
In a new @theifs.bsky.social paper, @joelkariel.bsky.social, Fizza Jabbar and I have taken a look – and it turns out people adapt in surprising ways. A thread.
1/
Reposted by The Institute for Fiscal Studies
A short seven years (!) after I started writing the code, it’s great to see this paper published.
We use high-frequency NHS to data show that short-staffed, less experienced nursing teams deliver worse outcomes – with the largest mortality impacts for patients with sepsis.
We use high-frequency NHS to data show that short-staffed, less experienced nursing teams deliver worse outcomes – with the largest mortality impacts for patients with sepsis.
December 18, 2025 at 9:52 AM
A short seven years (!) after I started writing the code, it’s great to see this paper published.
We use high-frequency NHS to data show that short-staffed, less experienced nursing teams deliver worse outcomes – with the largest mortality impacts for patients with sepsis.
We use high-frequency NHS to data show that short-staffed, less experienced nursing teams deliver worse outcomes – with the largest mortality impacts for patients with sepsis.
Reposted by The Institute for Fiscal Studies
NHS England has now produced two sets of productivity growth rates for each NHS acute trust. These are year-on-year growth rates, only 3 months apart (so have a 9 month overlap). But what's striking is that they are essentially uncorrelated!?
[1/2]
[1/2]
December 15, 2025 at 5:48 PM
NHS England has now produced two sets of productivity growth rates for each NHS acute trust. These are year-on-year growth rates, only 3 months apart (so have a 9 month overlap). But what's striking is that they are essentially uncorrelated!?
[1/2]
[1/2]
Applications are still open to join the IFS for a two-year Postdoctoral Fellowship in collaboration with the Administrative Fairness Lab.
📊 Find out more and apply here by midnight, Sunday 4 January 2026: econjobmarket.org/positions/12...
📊 Find out more and apply here by midnight, Sunday 4 January 2026: econjobmarket.org/positions/12...
December 15, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Applications are still open to join the IFS for a two-year Postdoctoral Fellowship in collaboration with the Administrative Fairness Lab.
📊 Find out more and apply here by midnight, Sunday 4 January 2026: econjobmarket.org/positions/12...
📊 Find out more and apply here by midnight, Sunday 4 January 2026: econjobmarket.org/positions/12...
📈 #IFSSatStat: Spending on non-health-related working-age benefits fell by 23% over the 2010s, partly due to policy decisions, while disability spending slowly grew.
Spending on disability benefits accelerated after the COVID-19 pandemic, especially from 2022 onwards.
Spending on disability benefits accelerated after the COVID-19 pandemic, especially from 2022 onwards.
December 13, 2025 at 9:15 AM
📈 #IFSSatStat: Spending on non-health-related working-age benefits fell by 23% over the 2010s, partly due to policy decisions, while disability spending slowly grew.
Spending on disability benefits accelerated after the COVID-19 pandemic, especially from 2022 onwards.
Spending on disability benefits accelerated after the COVID-19 pandemic, especially from 2022 onwards.
Reposted by The Institute for Fiscal Studies
This is a careful, valuable piece of research demonstrating that cuts to non-disability benefits in the 2010s led to more people claiming disability benefits. Notable, though, that extra spending on disability support only undid a very small % of the original savings.
These effects reduce the fiscal saving from cuts to benefit amounts, but only modestly. Increased disability benefits only reduced savings by 1%-4% for the three cuts to benefit amounts we study.
December 12, 2025 at 3:13 PM
This is a careful, valuable piece of research demonstrating that cuts to non-disability benefits in the 2010s led to more people claiming disability benefits. Notable, though, that extra spending on disability support only undid a very small % of the original savings.
Reposted by The Institute for Fiscal Studies
Great to get this new research out. We find that following cuts to non-health benefit income cause more people to claim disability benefits.
"The big-picture lesson for policymakers is that changes to one part of the benefit system can shift pressures elsewhere, rather than remove them entirely."
📗 Read our report, funded by @jrf-uk.bsky.social and @healthfoundation.bsky.social, here: ifs.org.uk/publications...
📗 Read our report, funded by @jrf-uk.bsky.social and @healthfoundation.bsky.social, here: ifs.org.uk/publications...
December 12, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Great to get this new research out. We find that following cuts to non-health benefit income cause more people to claim disability benefits.
We're currently hiring for an Associate Director to lead our programme of economic research on health and/or healthcare and to join the IFS management team.
📅 Find out more and apply here by 11:59pm, Sunday 11 January 2026: app.beapplied.com/apply/jfzr0z...
📅 Find out more and apply here by 11:59pm, Sunday 11 January 2026: app.beapplied.com/apply/jfzr0z...
December 12, 2025 at 10:30 AM
We're currently hiring for an Associate Director to lead our programme of economic research on health and/or healthcare and to join the IFS management team.
📅 Find out more and apply here by 11:59pm, Sunday 11 January 2026: app.beapplied.com/apply/jfzr0z...
📅 Find out more and apply here by 11:59pm, Sunday 11 January 2026: app.beapplied.com/apply/jfzr0z...