The Institute for Fiscal Studies

@theifs.bsky.social

Official account for Britain’s leading independent economic research institute. https://ifs.org.uk/

@theifs.bsky.social

“If the Chancellor simply pencils in implicit cuts that he knows he would never be willing to deliver, his plans to cut borrowing, and thereby meet the fiscal rules, won’t be realistic.” @helenmiller.bsky.social outlines John Healey's choices as part of the IFS Green Budget 2026, out today.

@theifs.bsky.social

📊 #IFSSatStat: The PM's decision to cut VAT on electricity lowers prices for households by 5%, but because of other cost increases - primarily higher gas prices - the average household electricity bill is just £3.30 lower in October compared to September.

Chart shows electricity price per kilowatt-hour breakdown across households in Great Britain, 2017 - 2025. Title states: "Average household electricity prices in Great Britain increased by 62% in real terms between 2017 and 2025 driven in large part by higher gas prices."
@theifs.bsky.social

Spending on working age disability benefits has risen from £14 billion in 2019 to £25 billion today.

🎙️ @helenmiller.bsky.social and @eduinlatimer.bsky.social discuss the rise in spending and expected forecasts, in our recent podcast on whether disability benefits need reform:

@theifs.bsky.social

NEW: "It would push up the price of high-end housing, benefiting existing owners more than those who might buy such properties in future."   Senior Economist Stuart Adam responds to the Conservative Party's announcement on changes to inheritance tax.

Quote from Senior Economist Stuart Adam. Quote reads: "The biggest beneficiaries would be those with the highest wealth and the most valuable homes. These will mostly be people living in London and the South-East. When put alongside the abolition of stamp duty on main homes and a cancellation of the ‘mansion tax’ it would push up the price of high-end housing, benefiting existing owners more than those who might buy such properties in future."
@theifs.bsky.social

What are personal independence payments (PIP)? 🎙️ @helenmiller.bsky.social and Tom Waters explain how PIP works and who it is for, in our recent podcast on whether disability benefits need reform:

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