Free Daily Podcast Summary
IFS Zooms In: The Economy: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Institute for Fiscal Studies
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.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- Yesterday50 min
Are people saving enough for retirement?
The government has launched a new Pensions Commission, raising the prospect of significant changes to how people save for retirement.Are people currently saving enough? Should minimum workplace pension contributions rise? And what should the government do about low pension saving among the self-employed?Christine Farquharson is joined by IFS researchers Jonathan Cribb and Heidi Karjalainen to examine what future pensioners can expect. They discuss what counts as an adequate retirement income, how housing and inheritances affect people’s needs, and why the right policy may differ across generations.They also explore whether people should be encouraged to save more at particular stages of their working lives, and whether policymakers should be concerned about people drawing on their pension wealth before reaching state pension age.Become a member: https://ifs.org.uk/individual-membershipFind out more: https://ifs.org.uk/podcasts-explainers-and-calculators/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 2 weeks ago48 min
The tax and spending choices facing Andy Burnham
Andy Burnham is preparing to enter Downing Street, but he will inherit a government facing tight fiscal constraints and a series of difficult decisions.The public finances remain under pressure, debt interest spending is high, and commitments not to raise the main rates of income tax, National Insurance or VAT limit some of the most obvious ways of raising revenue. At the same time, the new Prime Minister will need to make choices about departmental spending, defence, welfare, social care and the cost of living.How much flexibility will Burnham have over taxes, borrowing and public spending? Which commitments could be maintained, and which might need to be scaled back? And will a change of Prime Minister create space for a different economic strategy - or reveal the same underlying constraints?Christine Farquharson is joined by IFS colleagues Max Warner and Tom Waters to examine the economic choices facing the incoming Prime Minister.Become a member: https://ifs.org.uk/individual-membershipFind out more: https://ifs.org.uk/podcasts-explainers-and-calculators/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 3 weeks ago49 min
Will devolution solve the UK’s economic woes?
Over the past few weeks, devolution has moved back to the centre of British politics. Andy Burnham has made the case for a “rewired Britain”: shifting power away from Westminster and Whitehall, creating a new “No 10 North” in Manchester, and giving local leaders a much bigger role in shaping economic policy.But what does devolution actually mean? Who would power be devolved to? What responsibilities could local leaders take on? How would they be funded? And could devolution really help the UK economy grow?Christine Farquharson is joined by Tony Travers, Professor in Practice in the LSE Department of Government, Associate Dean of the LSE School of Public Policy and Director of LSE London, and David Phillips, Associate Director at the IFS, to discuss what devolution means, how England compares internationally, whether “Manchesterism” offers lessons for the rest of the country, and what risks come with giving places more fiscal responsibility.Become a member: https://ifs.org.uk/individual-membershipFind out more: https://ifs.org.uk/podcasts-explainers-and-calculators/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Jun 25, 202645 min
The inequality of 'good jobs'
What makes a job “good”? Is it pay, flexibility, progression, security, purpose, autonomy, or the people you work with?Policy debates about inequality often focus on wages and getting people into work. But jobs are about much more than income. The quality of work affects people’s health, wellbeing, productivity, family life and future opportunities.In this episode, Helen Miller is joined by Jonathan Cribb and Naomi Clayton, Chief Executive of the Institute for Employment Studies, to explore what good work really means, who gets access to good jobs, and what government can do to improve the quality of work in the UK.They discuss inequalities in pay, gender and geography, the importance of progression and training, the rise of flexible and insecure work, the role of employment rights, and how trends such as AI could shape the future of jobs.This is the fourth and final episode in our series on inequality.This episode draws on work done as part of the IFS-Deaton Review, funded by the Nuffield Foundation.Become a member: https://ifs.org.uk/individual-membershipFind out more: https://ifs.org.uk/podcasts-explainers-and-calculators/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Jun 18, 202637 min
Why is the UK so geographically unequal?
The UK is one of the most geographically unequal countries in the developed world. People living in London and the South East tend to have higher incomes, higher levels of education and better health outcomes than people elsewhere in the country.But why did Britain become so regionally unequal? How much of the divide is driven by the shift away from industry and towards services? What role has public investment, infrastructure and decades of regional policy played? And what can policymakers realistically do to change things?In this episode, part of our mini-series on inequalities, we look at the scale of the UK’s regional divides, why London has become so dominant, and whether stronger cities, devolution, better coordination and more stable policy could help narrow the gap.Helen speaks with IFS economists Jonathan Cribb and Xiaowei Xu to ask what “levelling up” should mean in practice, whether improving opportunities outside London could boost national productivity, and how politicians should think about places that may not benefit directly from big-city growth.This episode draws on work done as part of the IFS-Deaton Review, funded by the Nuffield Foundation.Become a member: https://ifs.org.uk/individual-membershipFind out more: https://ifs.org.uk/podcasts-explainers-and-calculators/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Jun 11, 202647 min
Inequality: what does Britain really think?
Around 80% of people think the gap between those on high and low incomes is too big. But only around 40% think the government should redistribute income from the rich to the poor.Why is there such a gap between concern about inequality and support for action to reduce it?In the second episode of our mini-series on inequality, we ask why people care about inequality, whether they distinguish it from poverty, and how views about luck, hard work, wealth and power shape attitudes to policy.Helen Miller is joined by Jonathan Cribb, Deputy Director at IFS, and Bobby Duffy, Professor of Public Policy and Director of the Policy Institute at King’s College London. They draw on work for the IFS Deaton Review of Inequalities to explore what the British public thinks about inequality, what kinds of inequality worry people most, and what they want government to do about it.Become a member: https://ifs.org.uk/individual-membershipFind out more: https://ifs.org.uk/podcasts-explainers-and-calculators/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Jun 4, 202647 min
How unequal is Britain?
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 people’s opportunities, education, health, family life and where they live. Some gaps have narrowed over time, while others remain stubbornly wide - and some inequalities in one generation can shape the chances of the next.Helen speaks with Paul Johnson and Jonathan Cribb to explore what the key facts tell us about modern Britain, what kinds of inequality we should worry about most, and where trade-offs with growth, fairness and redistribution become unavoidable.Become a member: https://ifs.org.uk/individual-membershipFind out more: https://ifs.org.uk/podcasts-explainers-and-calculators/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- May 28, 202647 min
The tough fiscal reality facing the UK government
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 and demand on the state continues to rise. In this episode, we set out the fiscal backdrop that will shape British politics over the coming years. Whoever is Prime Minister or Chancellor will face many of the same constraints: expensive borrowing, difficult spending choices and the need to get debt on a more sustainable path. Helen Miller is joined by IFS colleague Max Warner and Chris Giles, economics commentator at the Financial Times, to explain the state of the public finances, why borrowing costs matter, what the government’s fiscal rules do, how realistic current spending plans are, and whether there is any room for a future government to do things differently.Become a member: https://ifs.org.uk/individual-membershipFind out more: https://ifs.org.uk/podcasts-explainers-and-calculators/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Get IFS Zooms In: The Economy summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
It's The Economy
A weekly breakdown of economic concepts and their real-world impact, explained by experts in short, accessible episodes.
The Economics Show
Explores pressing economic issues through expert analysis and conversations with Financial Times contributors and guest economists.
Economist Podcasts
Global news, business, finance, science, and technology explained through insightful reporting and analysis.
Optimist Economy
Economists discuss U.S. economic challenges and practical solutions to improve outcomes for workers, retirees, and aspiring Americans.
Analysis
Examines the ideas and forces shaping public policy in Britain and abroad with writers, journalists, and academics.
The Intelligence from The Economist
Global news and analysis on politics, business, and culture from The Economist’s correspondents, with weekday stories and a weekend deep-dive.
Pod Save the UK
Comedians and journalists analyze UK politics with guests, offering insight and solutions on current events.
The Martin Lewis Podcast
Martin Lewis provides financial advice and money-saving tips by answering listener questions.
Planet Money Summer School
A crash course in economics that teaches fundamental concepts through real-world examples in everyday life.
Intelligence Squared: Business
Discusses the future of capitalism and major economic trends with business leaders, authors, and economists.
The Indicator from Planet Money
A daily economics podcast offering short, accessible insights into money, work, and business.
Wake Up to Money
A daily look at personal finance, global financial markets, and business news.
About IFS Zooms In: The Economy
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.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from IFS Zooms In: The Economy in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's IFS Zooms In: The Economy daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of IFS Zooms In: The Economy as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the IFS Zooms In: The Economy podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official IFS Zooms In: The Economy product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Institute for Fiscal Studies.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts. Upgrade to Pro for 15, or Premium for 50. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does IFS Zooms In: The Economy release new episodes?
IFS Zooms In: The Economy publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does IFS Zooms In: The Economy cover?
IFS Zooms In: The Economy covers topics including News, Government, Politics, Commentary. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting IFS Zooms In: The Economy summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.