Institute for Fiscal Studies

New disability benefit awards continue to fall but remain well above pre-pandemic levels

Today’s new personal independence payment statistics show the number of new awards fell in 2025, but remains above ...
Institute for Fiscal Studies

Assessing the government’s youth employment package

This comment analyses the government’s new youth employment package, which expands youth wage subsidies and introduces ...
Institute for Fiscal StudiesOpinion

Challenges for the private pension system in the UK and policy proposals to address them

We identify challenges and develop policy proposals for the UK private pension system, which is increasingly reliant on ...
Institute for Fiscal Studies

DNA laws and the pursuit of racial justice: Access to forensic DNA technology and the exoneration of the wrongfully convicted

We find evidence that the passage of “DNA laws” streamlining access to forensic DNA technology was a watershed in the ...
Institute for Fiscal StudiesOpinion

Universal credit review: challenges and options for reform

The UC review should consider the way that universal credit interacts with council tax support (a separate means of support ...
Institute for Fiscal Studies

What does the war in the Middle East mean for energy prices, and how could the government respond?

Conflict in the Middle East has pushed up energy prices. We examine how this compares to past shocks and the government's ...
Institute for Fiscal Studies

How does council tax support shape household incomes and work incentives?

Council tax support (CTS) is a benefit that assists the poorest households in paying their council tax, by providing a reduction on their bills. It operates separat ...