About Carl Emmerson
Carl is a deputy director of IFS and programme director of their work on pensions, saving and public finances. He is an editor of the annual IFS Green Budget. His recent research includes analysis of the UK public finances and public spending, and also the effect of UK pension reform on inequality, retirement behaviour, labour market mobility and incentives to save. He is also a specialist advisor to the House of Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee. Carl joined IFS in 1996.
Lord Hutton’s review of public service pensions contains a number of recommendations. Perhaps the three most important for both the taxpayer and the members of these schemes are: Read more...
In the interim report of the Independent Public Service Pensions Commission, published this morning, Lord Hutton argues for an increase in employee contributions (with the exception of those in the armed forces) with longer-term reform recommendations to follow in next year’s final report. Read more...
At the Labour Party conference, Chancellor Alistair Darling proposed a ‘Fiscal Responsibility Act’ to increase confidence that he would reduce government borrowing. Shadow chancellor George Osborne has proposed an ‘Office for Budget Responsibility’ to help increase confidence in his Treasury’s forecasts. Read more...
The oldest children to receive a Child Trust Fund from the government today celebrate their seventh birthdays. Alongside their other presents, the government is making a further contribution to their accounts – those in families receiving a full Child Tax Credit award get £500 while everyone else will get £250. These are the first contributions that these children will have received from the government since equivalent amounts were paid in when the account were opened, at which point 30% qualified for the more generous award. The money is invested and, under normal circumstances, is locked away until the child reaches age 18. Read more...
In Prime Minister’s Questions last week Gordon Brown and David Cameron clashed over the government’s plans for spending on investment in public services. Cameron highlighted the fact that the government plans to cut investment spending. Brown responded that the government had deliberately brought forward investment spending and that investment spending had in recent years been higher than under the previous Conservative Government. So how do the plans for investment spending going forwards compare to Labour’s record to date and to that of previous Conservative Governments? Read more...
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