Research and analysis
We examine the questions that matter most for effective government.
Explore our research and analysis
Collapsing civil service pay undermines the government’s ability to deliver
Why the civil service strike demonstrates the risks of the government’s attempt to hold down pay.
Jeremy Hunt’s growth plan mixes welcome realism with speculative cakeism
The chancellor’s plan for growth is an evidence-based but policy-lite vision which may end up laying the groundwork for future governments.
Better use of data is needed for better energy support policies
The energy crisis has exposed the Treasury’s failure to use data to shape policy, a gap which needs fixing across government.
What does the autumn statement mean for public services?
The autumn statement's impact on public services may be politically unsustainable.
Early questions for Sunak’s growth policy
Rishi Sunak needs a growth strategy built on patience – not a big bang.
Five things we learned from Jeremy Hunt's 2022 autumn statement
The IfG team give their verdict on the chancellor's autumn statement and what it means for government borrowing, households and public services.
Sunak and Hunt should not rush into spending cuts
If the government plans to fill some of the fiscal hole through cuts to departmental spending, it should understand there are no easy savings.
Investment zones
Investment zones are the government’s new proposal to set up knowledge-intensive clusters to drive economic growth
'Austerity' in public services: lessons from the 2010s
Jeremy Hunt is right to delay his fiscal statement – but should not rush into a new austerity programme.
How Rishi Sunak can make the big leap from chancellor to prime minister
Rishi Sunak still faces a sizeable leap from No.11 to No.10