The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has been crunching the numbers on the adequacy of pension contributions. One of the unremarked government successes of the 2010s was the introduction of automatic enrolment of employees into pension schemes. The first automatic … Continue reading →

Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ first Budget was a significant one in all senses. “…this Budget delivers a large, sustained increase in spending, taxation, and borrowing.” So said the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) in the first paragraph of its overview of … Continue reading →

The pension challenges facing western governments are also confronting the world’s second most populous country. At what age should the state start to pay a pension? The question is a challenge to all governments, whether democratic or otherwise. There are … Continue reading →

BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS The main rate of class 1 employer national insurance contributions (NICs) will be increased from 13.8% to 15.0% with effect from 6 April 2025 and the secondary threshold at which employer NICs are payable will be reduced from … Continue reading →