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“A perfect storm” – an initial analysis of the Welsh Government’s Draft Budget for 2023-24

“A perfect storm” – an initial analysis of the Welsh Government’s Draft Budget for 2023-24

Posted on 15 December 2022 by Guto Ifan

Setting out the Welsh Government’s Draft Budget for 2023-24, Rebecca Evans described the annual exercise as one of the toughest since devolution. As we outlined in our Welsh Budget Outlook […]

Chancellor Kicks the Can of Full Fiscal Consolidation beyond the General Election

Chancellor Kicks the Can of Full Fiscal Consolidation beyond the General Election

Posted on 17 November 2022 by Cian Sion

Facing a sea of red ink in the Office of Budget Responsibility’s grim economic outlook, the Chancellor chose to protect key areas of spending on health and education… at least until the next General Election due in two years' time.

Yma o Hyd? The Welsh economy of ’58

Yma o Hyd? The Welsh economy of ’58

Posted on 16 November 2022 by Guto Ifan

On 21 November 2022, Wales will play in a World Cup finals game for the first time since our quarter final loss against Brazil on 19 June 1958. In the […]

What does the mini-budget mean for Wales?

What does the mini-budget mean for Wales?

Posted on 23 September 2022 by Cian Sion

Today's not-so-mini-budget included the largest tax give-away of any fiscal event in fifty years. In this blog post, the Wales Fiscal Analysis team take stock of what was announced, what wasn't announced, and the implications for Wales.  

Public sector pay and inflation – the implications for the Welsh budget and public services

Public sector pay and inflation – the implications for the Welsh budget and public services

Posted on 29 July 2022 by Guto Ifan

Last week saw the publication of pay recommendations by the NHS Pay Review Body and the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body. The recommendations made − and accepted by the Welsh […]

Local government finance: five key trends for the next five years

Local government finance: five key trends for the next five years

Posted on 27 April 2022 by Cian Sion

As local election day approaches, this Wales Fiscal Analysis blog post sets out the funding and spending context for local authorities over the next five years.

5 key questions for Wales ahead of the UK Spring Statement

5 key questions for Wales ahead of the UK Spring Statement

Posted on 17 March 2022 by Guto Ifan

On 23 March, Rishi Sunak will deliver his Spring Statement against the backdrop of heightened uncertainty and rising inflation. There has been talk of a ‘policy-light’ fiscal event, following on […]

When ends don’t meet: towards a “high wage” economy? (Part 3)

When ends don’t meet: towards a “high wage” economy? (Part 3)

Posted on 26 October 2021 by Cian Sion

In the third of a three-part blog series on household finances, the Wales Fiscal Analysis team present the latest picture of the labour market in Wales as the furlough scheme is wound down.

When ends don’t meet: a cost-of-living crisis (Part 2)

When ends don’t meet: a cost-of-living crisis (Part 2)

Posted on 22 October 2021 by Cian Sion

In the second of a three-part blog series on Welsh household finances, the Wales Fiscal Analysis team examine the latest evidence of price increases and the impact on the cost of living.

When ends don’t meet: tax rises and benefit cuts (Part 1)

When ends don’t meet: tax rises and benefit cuts (Part 1)

Posted on 15 October 2021 by Cian Sion

In the first of a three-part blog series on Welsh household finances, the Wales Fiscal Analysis team examine the impact of the recent cut to Universal Credit and planned tax rises on households.