Britain’s leading independent economic research institute
Joined November 2010
- Tweets 18,810
- Following 0
- Followers 62,116
- Likes 5,837
8,126 Photos and videos
Pinned Tweet
How much does the UK spend on defence? And can the government meet its commitment to NATO to spend 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035? THREAD 🧵
2
3
10
2,999
How big are income inequalities in the UK?
In the first episode of our new series we look at what has happened to income and wealth inequality in the UK and how Britain compares with other countries.
2
1
5
1,408
🎧 Listen the first episode of our new series here: ifs.org.uk/articles/how-uneq…
1
2
842
📊#IFSSatStat: The UK, alongside other NATO countries, has committed to increasing defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035.
Reaching this would cost an additional £30-40 billion each year: a major fiscal challenge for the UK.
📗 Read our report here: ifs.org.uk/publications/uk-d…
2
5
7
2,057
Institute for Fiscal Studies retweeted
Jun 11
There's been discussion over the last 24 hrs about growth being a 'doomed strategy'.
As a counterpoint, listen to our recent @TheIFS podcast with @PJTheEconomist on why people concerned about inequalities should want higher growth youtube.com/watch?v=7kwnBz9f…
1
2
2,180
Institute for Fiscal Studies retweeted
Jun 11
Really enjoyed this conversation. People's views about inequality are much more nuanced and interesting than some stereotypes would suggest - understanding that seems more important than ever.
NEW PODCAST: Inequality: what does Britain really think?
@HelenMiller_IFS, @JCribbEcon and @BobbyDuffyKings continue our new podcast series on inequality, exploring the public's opinion on inequality and actions to reduce it.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/inequali…
1
6
1,836
Institute for Fiscal Studies retweeted
Jun 11
This was a fun discussion. I really enjoyed going through with Helen and Bobby some of the arguments about whether we should, or should not, care about inequality.
Was also great to talk about the evidence how the general public agree (and disagree) on inequalities.
NEW PODCAST: Inequality: what does Britain really think?
@HelenMiller_IFS, @JCribbEcon and @BobbyDuffyKings continue our new podcast series on inequality, exploring the public's opinion on inequality and actions to reduce it.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/inequali…
1
2
1,680
NEW PODCAST: Inequality: what does Britain really think?
@HelenMiller_IFS, @JCribbEcon and @BobbyDuffyKings continue our new podcast series on inequality, exploring the public's opinion on inequality and actions to reduce it.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/inequali…
1
4,419
Institute for Fiscal Studies retweeted
This chart from my @theIFS colleagues explains why the UK fiscal outlook is so challenging.
Health spending continues to trend up - due to ageing population and new treatments.
For the first time in decades, defence spending also has to rise to meet threats & NATO commitments.
Reaching 3.5% of GDP would take UK defence spending to levels not seen since the early 1980s, reversing decades of the so-called 'peace dividend' that followed the Cold War.
1
8
19
7,105
Institute for Fiscal Studies retweeted
How much does the UK spend on defence? And can the government meet its commitment to NATO to spend 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035? THREAD 🧵
2
3
10
2,999
Institute for Fiscal Studies retweeted
Jun 11
New NHS waiting times data out today. The share of patients waiting ≤18 weeks for elective care dropped a little in Apr, but is still (with rounding!) 65%. List size has gone up a bit. See my thread from last month on how the NHS pushed hard to reach the 65% intermediate target
May 15
It wasn’t the biggest story yesterday, but the NHS in England hit its intermediate target that 65% of patients should be waiting 18 weeks or less for elective care by Mar26. That’s after big recent improvements from 61.5% in Jan to 65.3% in March. So how was this achieved?🧵
ALT Chart showing performance against the govt's 18 week target
3
4
5
1,787
Institute for Fiscal Studies retweeted
Jun 9
It's really striking some of the changes in the NHS workforce in recent years. Overall staffing growth has slowed down a lot. Doctor and nurse numbers still rising, but other groups are seeing slow downs or even falls
Jun 2
This trend is in line with the last few years: there are now 20% more doctors in NHS trusts than in 2022, but just 4% more support staff and 9% more estates, admin and management staff.
Is this a deliberate policy choice? Or cash-strapped trusts cutting back on recruitment?
(5/7)
ALT Chart showing NHS staffing growth in English NHS trusts since 2022
4
6
9
3,522
Institute for Fiscal Studies retweeted
Jun 10
Great thread for anyone who wants to understand the context for the Defence Investment Plan that we're expecting soon
Jun 10
Lots of discussion in recent weeks about how to fund the (much-delayed!) Defence Investment Plan. While this is important, it is only the first step in the longer-term and much larger defence spending increase this government has committed to. A short thread:
ALT Chart showing planned increases in defence spending as a share of GDP
1
3
2,528
Institute for Fiscal Studies retweeted
Jun 10
As Max says here, any growth benefits of higher defence spending depend on how it's funded. Rumours this week suggested the govt was considering funding top ups by cutting other investment. This would weaken any case that higher defence spending is an 'engine for growth'
Will higher defence spending increase UK economic growth? Listen to @MaxWarnerIFS's summary of the potential growth impacts at Treasury Select Committee last week (@HoCcommitteesUK).
1
3
8
2,519
How much does the UK spend on defence? And can the government meet its commitment to NATO to spend 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035? THREAD 🧵
2
3
10
2,999
Reaching 3.5% of GDP would take UK defence spending to levels not seen since the early 1980s, reversing decades of the so-called 'peace dividend' that followed the Cold War.
2
5
7,857
These are the key numbers to keep in mind as the government's Defence Investment Plan approaches. Read our full analysis here: ifs.org.uk/publications/uk-d…
3
745