Really important to understand this. Talk of “austerity” is way overblown in context of what govt announced in October and by comparison with stated plans of last govt. Had they implemented those plans (unlikely) that really would have looked like austerity.

We’ve written two new reports on the decisions people face when drawing on private pension wealth in retirement & policy reforms that might help improve these decisions. Important to get this right as defined contribution pensions get more important & can now be accessed flexibly

It’s now clear that the Donald J. Trump Administration computed reciprocal tariffs without using tariff data. This is to economics what creationism is to biology, astrology is to astronomy, or RFK thought is to vaccine science. The Trump tariff policy makes little sense EVEN if

One challenge for trade policy, is that the benefits to consumers (like lower prices) feel vague & abstract—it's hard to see what we'd lose without free trade. Job threats feel immediate, driving support for protectionism. More recent on views on trade👇 x.com/S_Stantcheva/s…

🚨Research public finance issues in developing countries? Based in London or fancy a trip to London this Autumn? Submit your papers to the @theIFS ODI Global World Bank conference. Covers revenue and spending side of ledger. Great speakers. Effective chairs. Networking.✅ ⬇️

Don’t forget if you don’t have appropriate photo ID to vote in your #LocalElection, the deadline to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate is by 5pm today (23 April). Find out more and apply online: orlo.uk/C551Y

Ahead of a big Spending Review and a big Budget, we’ve updated and revamped our ‘Be the Chancellor’ tool. It’s got new features, new fiscal rules, and new policy options. Have a look and share with the fiscal nerds in your life (it works best on desktop): ifs.org.uk/be-chancellor

🚨New @theIFS response to Scottish Fiscal Commission forecasts. Small revisions to tax and social security spend forecasts. BUT when combined with latest Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts for rest of UK, point in one direction: a trickier funding outlook for Scotland. ifs.org.uk/articles/immed…