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Artwork for IFS Zooms In: The Economy

IFS Zooms In: The Economy

Institute for Fiscal Studies
UK Economy
NHS
Public Services
Taxation
Institute For Fiscal Studies
Public Spending
Labour Party
Child Poverty
Economic Growth
Pensions
Conservative Party
Public Finances
Tax Policy
Fiscal Policy
Income Tax
Housing Market
Council Tax
Rachel Reeves
Public Sector Productivity
Education System

Step beyond the headlines with in-depth, independent analysis from the experts at the Institute for Fiscal Studies. Hosted by IFS Director Helen Miller, this podcast brings you objective insights from the researchers shaping the debate.

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PublishesWeeklyEpisodes185Founded6 years ago
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Artwork for IFS Zooms In: The Economy

Latest Episodes

In the first episode of our new series, we set out the big picture on inequality in the UK. We look at what has happened to income and wealth inequality and how Britain compares with other countries.

But inequality is not just about money. It shapes... more

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Britain’s public finances are under pressure. Public debt is high, borrowing remains high, and the government is spending far more on debt interest than in the past. Taxes are heading towards historic highs, while public services remain under strain ... more

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Conflict in the Middle East has pushed up energy prices in the UK. Even if the war ends soon, prices may not return to pre-war levels, and government could still face pressure to support households.

But the problem runs deeper than the current crisi... more

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Local government affects almost every part of our daily lives: bins, roads, planning, housing, schools, social care, public health, libraries, parks and more. But despite this, local elections are often discussed mainly as a test of national politics... more

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Recent Guests

Paul Johnson
Provost at the Queen's College Oxford, former head of IFS
Institute for Fiscal Studies / University of Oxford
Episode: How unequal is Britain?
Chris Giles
Economics commentator at the Financial Times
Financial Times
Episode: The tough fiscal reality facing the UK government
Dieter Helm
Professor of Economic Policy at the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
Episode: Why is UK electricity so expensive?
Peter Levell
Deputy Research Director at the IFS
Institute for Fiscal Studies
Episode: Why is UK electricity so expensive?
Aileen Murphie
Former Director for the Department of Communities and Local Government and for Local Government Value at the National Audit Office; honorary professor
National Audit Office; University of Durham
Episode: What do councils actually do?
Joe Rossiter
Co-director, Institute of Welsh Affairs
Institute of Welsh Affairs
Episode: The tough choices facing Wales’s next government
Mairi Spowage
Professor of Practice and Director at the Fraser of Allander Institute
University of Strathclyde
Episode: Why Scotland’s next government faces tough choices
David Phillips
Head of All Things, Local and Devolved Government Finances at the IFS
Institute for Fiscal Studies
Episode: Why Scotland’s next government faces tough choices
Heidi Karjalainen
IFS researcher
Institute for Fiscal Studies
Episode: Will everyone have to work until they are 67?

Host

Helen Miller
Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies and host of the show

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 215 ratings
  • Audio quality is terrible

    Totally unlistenable as audio quality so bad from many of the speakers

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Sir Mate
    United Kingdom12 days ago
  • Excellent, simply explained

    I recommend this podcast to everyone I know - great, accessible explanations for practitioners and people with no knowledge of the tax system alike. More please!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hebp242
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • Economically illiterate

    Economically illiterate. Okay that’s harsh as some of the points made are coherent but there’s so much of a rambling scatter gun approach, a failure to distinguish between tax rises and cutting transfer payments (as though they are the economic equivalent, they are not) and continually ignoring the failure to tax the capital gains on prime residential property (this could be done as a death duty instead of the bonkers 40% tax on value) instead of silly assertions that there should be an annual t... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Rosenbaum & Wolf
    United Kingdom8 months ago
  • Brilliant

    Helen Miller the new Director is excellent 👌 I like her summaries at the end of each podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    HilBiker
    United Kingdom8 months ago
  • The IFS Zooms In always brings intellectual clarity and coherence, and presents complex issues in a very comprehensible manner.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    NAHarvey
    a year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests and content are praised for being expert and accessible, useful for practitioners.
Audio quality is a common concern for some listeners, suggesting production improvements could broaden accessibility.
Overall, episodes are viewed as serious, thorough, and valuable for understanding policy complexity and fiscal policy.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The tough fiscal reality facing the UK government
Q: Why are we worried about the current budget versus the investment budget?
Because current spending funds day-to-day operations, while investment spending is future-oriented; balancing current spending helps debt dynamics, but investment can still be financed if it supports growth and productivity.
The tough fiscal reality facing the UK government
Q: Chris, why should people care about the fiscal situation?
Because everything the government does—pensions, health, education, policing—depends on public finances being in order, so stability and credible plans matter for everyday outcomes.
How to fix income tax
Q: Why have the income tax rates and thresholds not been increasing much of late?
The thresholds have been frozen, leading to more people paying tax and higher rates, as fiscal drag causes individuals to cross into higher tax brackets without actual increases in income.
How to fix income tax
Q: How does income tax work to begin with?
Income tax is a tax on income broadly defined, applicable to earnings from various sources including employment and dividends, with different rates and thresholds governing its collection.
One year of Labour government: Is mission-driven politics really happening?
Q: Do you think there are obvious missed opportunities that the government has missed when it comes to boosting growth?
Yes, the government has failed to effectively communicate a vision for growth that resonates with the public and has not prioritized necessary tax reforms.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About IFS Zooms In: The Economy

What is IFS Zooms In: The Economy about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A rigorously analytical show examining UK public policy and economics through data-driven discussion with IFS researchers and policy experts. Topics span taxation, public finances, pensions, local government funding, and energy policy, often involving deep dives into fiscal rules, welfare, and the mechanics of funding across the UK nations. Noteworthy is the consistent emphasis on evidence-based analysis, accessibility for practitioners, and a reputation for clear breakdowns of complex policy trade-offs. Listeners are likely professionals in policy, finance, and business who want practical context for how fiscal decisions shape the economy and public services.

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How many listeners does IFS Zooms In: The Economy get?

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Which podcasts are similar to IFS Zooms In: The Economy?

These podcasts share a similar audience with IFS Zooms In: The Economy:

1. The Rest Is Money
2. Inside Briefing with the Institute for Government
3. Political Fix
4. Political Currency
5. The Politics Show

How many episodes of IFS Zooms In: The Economy are there?

IFS Zooms In: The Economy launched 6 years ago and published 185 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on IFS Zooms In: The Economy?

Recent guests on IFS Zooms In: The Economy include:

1. Paul Johnson
2. Chris Giles
3. Dieter Helm
4. Peter Levell
5. Aileen Murphie
6. Joe Rossiter
7. Mairi Spowage
8. David Phillips

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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