Thomas Pope
Deputy Chief Economist
Where next for levelling up?
This short paper highlights five key challenges that any government seeking to reduce regional inequalities will need to address.
A Labour government would need to take big decisions to deliver on its devolution agenda
Do Keir Starmer’s and Angela Rayner’s devolution plans add up?
How the next government should complete the job of English devolution
The next government must extend devolution to 85% of England to deliver meaningful and balanced economic growth.
Six key takeaways from the Labour conference in Liverpool
As the glitter settled on Keir Starmer's speech, what key themes emerged from Labour's annual gathering?
Six key questions for Keir Starmer at the Labour Party conference
The IfG expert team pick out six key questions for Labour to answer in Liverpool
All work
Coronavirus: stimulus policies in other countries after the first shutdown
As governments started to ease public health restrictions, many countries implemented new policies to try to encourage spending.
Boris Johnson’s 'New Deal for Britain' speech: four key questions
Though billed as the prime minister’s big speech on the economy, today’s announcements failed to answer some key questions
The criminal justice system
The UK criminal justice system is facing unprecedented court case backlogs and record prisoner numbers.
Coronavirus: how different countries supported the unemployed
A comparison of the policies adopted by a collection of advanced economies with different tax and benefit systems.
Coronavirus and unemployment: a five nation comparison
To cushion the blow of the pandemic, governments have pumped large amounts of money into labour market policies.
Lifting lockdown: how to approach a coronavirus exit strategy
The government’s five tests for starting to lift the lockdown are not a good enough guide to the longer-term exit strategy.
Overcoming the barriers to tax reform
The UK tax system needs substantial reform, but recent governments have shied away from it because of public resistance.
Coronavirus: impact of government response on public borrowing
The government’s response to coronavirus is designed to minimise the overall social and economic impact and help ensure that vital public services can
Coronavirus: government support for businesses and individuals
The Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic has caused major social and economic disruption.
Brexit dividend
This explainer sets out how any Brexit dividend (or otherwise) is reflected in the government’s official independent forecasts prepared by the OBR.