IFS Green Budget 2026 – 2029

This project will continue Nuffield Foundation support of the IFS Green Budget, a comprehensive and independent assessment of the state of the public finances, the key economic questions facing the government, and various policy options in the run up to the Chancellor’s Budget.

Why is this important?

Budgets are prepared with no Green Paper, meaning important decisions about taxes and spending are announced with less formal consultation and discussion than many other policies. The purpose of the Green Budget is twofold: to improve the quality of policymaking in the Budget and beyond; and to improve the quality of debate prior to each year’s Budget through the provision of high-quality analysis.

What does it involve?

Each volume will examine the macroeconomic and fiscal context of the Chancellor’s forthcoming Budget. A range of additional topics will be covered each year, which could include the following sorts of issues:

• How should the tax system be reformed?
• What are the pressures on public services?
• How might council finances fare?
• How might working-age benefits evolve?
• How should public sector pay and pensions be reformed?
• How could environmental policy be improved?
• How should policy address challenges in housing markets?
• The economic costs and benefits resulting from migration policy

How will it make a difference?

Findings will be directly shared with key stakeholders via:

• High-profile launch events, both online and in-person.
• Tailored private presentations for MPs, civil servants, and other decision-makers.
• Digital dissemination through podcasts, videos, and social media campaigns.