Publications The great escape Why Britain is stuck in a fiscal funk and how we can break free 16 July 2026 by Simon Pittaway and Cillian Sheehan and James Smith and Andy King This report is the first in a series on the size and shape of the state, and how the public finances can be better managed in an era of low… Continue Reading
Events Breaking free of fiscal chains How to get the public finances back on a sustainable path Thursday 16 July 2026 In recent decades, fiscal policy in the UK has delivered the worst of all worlds. Spending on key public services has fallen, taxes are at a record high, and yet… Continue Reading
Comment Defence versus welfare – the trade-off is being misrepresented Why it's important we have a clear picture of how we spent the peace dividend while it was around. 12 June 2026 by Ruth Curtice This was first published on our Substack. Defence versus welfare – the trade-off is being misrepresented The debate around where to get the money for higher defence spending from has… Continue Reading
Publications See it. Say it. Sort it. How to reset Britain’s economic policy 14 May 2026 by Matthew Cavanagh and Alex Clegg and Ruth Curtice and James Smith This briefing note sets out how the Government should reset its economic strategy against a bleak backdrop of weak growth, falling living standards, and high borrowing costs. It provides clear… Continue Reading
Comment Three myths about UK borrowing and growth 13 May 2026 by Ruth Curtice Three myths shape debates about government borrowing and growth. First, that the cause of our growth woes is an overbearing, miserly finance ministry. Borrowing too little has just not ranked… Continue Reading
Publications The Macroeconomic Policy Outlook Q2 2026 22 April 2026 by Simon Pittaway and James Smith and Greg Thwaites Since the US-Israeli strikes on Iran began nearly two months ago, global energy markets have been volatile. But the shock facing Britain has so far been smaller than that which… Continue Reading
Events The economic fallout from war in the Middle East Part II The outlook for the economy and public finances Wednesday 22 April 2026 This second event will focus on the wider outlook for the economic and public finances. How much might the war reduce the UK’s growth prospects? What fresh policy support might… Continue Reading
Publications Understatement of the year Putting the 2026 Spring Forecast in context 4 March 2026 by Hannah Aldridge and Mike Brewer and Elliott Christensen and Tom Clark and Alex Clegg and Nye Cominetti and Ruth Curtice and Julia Diniz and Sophie Hale and Lindsay Judge and Zachary Leather and Jonathan Marshall and Charlie McCurdy and Louise Murphy and Simon Pittaway and Cillian Sheehan and Hannah Slaughter and James Smith and Imogen Stone and Jamie Titus-Glover and Lalitha Try The Spring Forecast was billed as a non‑event, but the underlying story is stark: weak growth, rising risks, and only a fleeting improvement in living standards. Our analysis shows why… Continue Reading
