Rachel Reeves is once again facing tough choices on tax and spending. After promising no further tax rises last autumn, the Chancellor could now see a sizeable downgrade to the borrowing outlook - enough to wipe out the limited ‘headroom’ she built into her fiscal plans last spring. To stick to her ‘iron-clad’ rules, Reeves may now need a sizeable fiscal consolidation through tax rises, spending cuts, or both.Helen talks to IFS economists Carl Emmerson and Ben Zaranko about why we’re back here again, what’s really driving the UK’s fiscal challenges, and what options the Chancellor has to get the public finances back on track. They discuss whether Reeves can stick to her fiscal rules, what role productivity and growth forecasts play, and how the government could avoid fiscal 'ground hog' day again.🎟️ Plus, we share details of our upcoming live recording at the British Library on 4th November, part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science.This episode is part of the 2025 Green Budget, our annual report exploring the Chancellor’s options.📘 Read more: https://ifs.org.uk/publications/green-budget-2025-full-report🎫 Sign up for our live podcast: https://ifs.org.uk/events/ifs-zooms-live-how-could-chancellor-raise-more-tax💡 Become a member: https://ifs.org.uk/individual-membership Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Should Labour scrap the two-child limit?
The two-child limit stops most families on Universal Credit from claiming support for a third or later child — worth about £3,500 a year per child. Introduced in 2017, it’s now at the centre of a political debate, with the Chancellor under pressure to scrap or reform it in the November Budget.Helen talks to IFS economists Tom Waters and Christine Farquharson about why the policy was introduced, how it’s affected families and child poverty, and what the options are for changing or removing it.🎟️ Plus, we share details of our upcoming live recording at the British Library on 4th November, part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science. Sign up here: https://ifs.org.uk/events/ifs-zooms-live-how-could-chancellor-raise-more-taxBecome a member: https://ifs.org.uk/individual-membershipFind out more: https://ifs.org.uk/podcasts-explainers-and-calculators/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Should the middle class get benefits?
--> Sign up to our live podcast in London on 4th November: http://eepurl.com/jonGY-/From child benefit to winter fuel payments, debates over who really deserves support run through the history of the UK’s welfare state. In this episode of IFS Zooms In, we ask whether benefits should be universal, means-tested or contributory — and why the UK's benefits system has become one of the most means-tested in the developed world.Helen is joined by Nicholas Timmins (Institute for Government) and Tom Waters (IFS) to explore Beveridge’s original vision, the rise of means-testing and whether ideas like Universal Basic Income could work.Become a member: https://ifs.org.uk/individual-membershipFind out more: https://ifs.org.uk/podcasts-explainers-and-calculators/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Why is defence spending rising?
The UK has promised to raise defence spending to levels not seen since the 1980s. That means tens of billions more pounds each year, with big implications for the armed forces, the economy, and the public finances.In this episode, Helen speaks to Matthew Savill (RUSI) and Max Warner (IFS) about what defence spending actually pays for, how it has changed over time, and what the government’s new commitments could mean for growth and future military capabilities.Become a member: https://ifs.org.uk/individual-membershipFind out more: https://ifs.org.uk/podcasts-explainers-and-calculators/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Children and young people: your questions answered | Are the kids OK? #5
This week, we turn the tables and put your questions to the experts.From childcare and early years, to schools, apprenticeships, and family life — listeners sent in brilliant questions on the challenges facing children and young people today.Helen Miller is joined by Christine Farquharson and guests Carey Oppenheim, Sam Freedman, Philip Augar, and Anne Longfield to discuss:- Should mothers be supported to stay at home rather than return to work?- Has YouTube made teaching harder for schools?- How can we encourage more firms to offer apprenticeships and sponsorships?- What are the consequences of declining physical activity and play?👉 Share your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe for more evidence-based discussions from IFS Zooms In.Become a member: https://ifs.org.uk/individual-membershipFind out more: https://ifs.org.uk/podcasts-explainers-and-calculators/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Step beyond the headlines with in-depth, independent analysis from the experts at the Institute for Fiscal Studies. Hosted by IFS Director Helen Miller, this podcast brings you objective insights from the researchers shaping the debate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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