Publications

This project is part of the third and final strand of our Scoping the Challenges series. Having identified the case for reform, we now consider how we might finance public services in light of the demand pressures in 2020. The current fiscal situation and impending public spending cuts makes this work even more urgent and important. How, for example, will we meet the costs of an ageing population when there is already a great hole in the social care budget? What of the cost implications of increased longevity on the health service and pensions? In considering what the state should provide and how it can be funded in the future, it is vital that we understand the current pattern of tax and spending in the UK. Only then can we have an informed discussion on what can be cut, and who will feel the pain. ‘The Fiscal Landscape: Understanding the contributions and benefits’ is a first step in our attempt to shed greater light on ‘who gains, who pays, and how much?’ from UK public spending.