Christine Farquharson
@ckfarquharson.bsky.social
Economist @theifs.bsky.social. Research on early years, education and health.
Continue to be astonished by how quickly my colleagues can turn these podcasts around… we only finished recording at 2pm!
Listen in for our take on the Budget, and our attempt to string together coherent sentences on little sleep…
Listen in for our take on the Budget, and our attempt to string together coherent sentences on little sleep…
NEW PODCAST: The Autumn Budget 2025 explained
@helenmiller.bsky.social, @benzaranko.bsky.social and @ckfarquharson.bsky.social break down the major decisions in a packed Autumn Budget and what they mean for the UK in our new IFS Zooms In episode.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/aut...
@helenmiller.bsky.social, @benzaranko.bsky.social and @ckfarquharson.bsky.social break down the major decisions in a packed Autumn Budget and what they mean for the UK in our new IFS Zooms In episode.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/aut...
November 27, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Continue to be astonished by how quickly my colleagues can turn these podcasts around… we only finished recording at 2pm!
Listen in for our take on the Budget, and our attempt to string together coherent sentences on little sleep…
Listen in for our take on the Budget, and our attempt to string together coherent sentences on little sleep…
Reposted by Christine Farquharson
NEW PODCAST: The Autumn Budget 2025 explained
@helenmiller.bsky.social, @benzaranko.bsky.social and @ckfarquharson.bsky.social break down the major decisions in a packed Autumn Budget and what they mean for the UK in our new IFS Zooms In episode.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/aut...
@helenmiller.bsky.social, @benzaranko.bsky.social and @ckfarquharson.bsky.social break down the major decisions in a packed Autumn Budget and what they mean for the UK in our new IFS Zooms In episode.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/aut...
November 27, 2025 at 4:19 PM
NEW PODCAST: The Autumn Budget 2025 explained
@helenmiller.bsky.social, @benzaranko.bsky.social and @ckfarquharson.bsky.social break down the major decisions in a packed Autumn Budget and what they mean for the UK in our new IFS Zooms In episode.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/aut...
@helenmiller.bsky.social, @benzaranko.bsky.social and @ckfarquharson.bsky.social break down the major decisions in a packed Autumn Budget and what they mean for the UK in our new IFS Zooms In episode.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/aut...
Good news: We now have a forecast for SEND spending, rather than flying blind.
From 2028, central gov't will fund all SEND provision from within departmental spending. Without reform or spending top-ups, that's a £6bn pressure on budgets that year.
@theifs.bsky.social #Budget2025
From 2028, central gov't will fund all SEND provision from within departmental spending. Without reform or spending top-ups, that's a £6bn pressure on budgets that year.
@theifs.bsky.social #Budget2025
November 27, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Good news: We now have a forecast for SEND spending, rather than flying blind.
From 2028, central gov't will fund all SEND provision from within departmental spending. Without reform or spending top-ups, that's a £6bn pressure on budgets that year.
@theifs.bsky.social #Budget2025
From 2028, central gov't will fund all SEND provision from within departmental spending. Without reform or spending top-ups, that's a £6bn pressure on budgets that year.
@theifs.bsky.social #Budget2025
Reposted by Christine Farquharson
“This was a big Budget, but not in the way people were necessarily expecting.” – @helenmiller.bsky.social
📗 Our immediate IFS response to #Budget2025 is out now: ifs.org.uk/articles/aut...
📗 Our immediate IFS response to #Budget2025 is out now: ifs.org.uk/articles/aut...
November 26, 2025 at 3:06 PM
“This was a big Budget, but not in the way people were necessarily expecting.” – @helenmiller.bsky.social
📗 Our immediate IFS response to #Budget2025 is out now: ifs.org.uk/articles/aut...
📗 Our immediate IFS response to #Budget2025 is out now: ifs.org.uk/articles/aut...
Reposted by Christine Farquharson
...if we add up the cost of all the council worker hours wasted on failed applications for the "Treasury Happy Press Release Fund" type gimmicks, I suspect more often than not the net benefit to the country overall will be minimal or negative
November 26, 2025 at 3:28 PM
...if we add up the cost of all the council worker hours wasted on failed applications for the "Treasury Happy Press Release Fund" type gimmicks, I suspect more often than not the net benefit to the country overall will be minimal or negative
Reposted by Christine Farquharson
If there were an election tomorrow, more net tax increases would have been announced in this parliament than in any other since at least 1970.
#Budget2025
#Budget2025
November 26, 2025 at 2:12 PM
If there were an election tomorrow, more net tax increases would have been announced in this parliament than in any other since at least 1970.
#Budget2025
#Budget2025
Reposted by Christine Farquharson
Your regular reminder that, while it doesn't have every policy option under the sun, @theifs.bsky.social Be the Chancellor tool will tell you how much could be raised from a whole raft of policy changes (e.g. cutting higher-rate threshold by £10k raises ~£17bn).
ifs.org.uk/be-chancellor
ifs.org.uk/be-chancellor
November 14, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Your regular reminder that, while it doesn't have every policy option under the sun, @theifs.bsky.social Be the Chancellor tool will tell you how much could be raised from a whole raft of policy changes (e.g. cutting higher-rate threshold by £10k raises ~£17bn).
ifs.org.uk/be-chancellor
ifs.org.uk/be-chancellor
Absolutely delighted that our @theifs.bsky.social work evaluating the effects of Sure Start centres won the "Publication of the Year" prize at last night's @smartthinking.bsky.social awards!
It's wonderful to be recognised for the quality and impact of our work.
ifs.org.uk/publications...
It's wonderful to be recognised for the quality and impact of our work.
ifs.org.uk/publications...
November 13, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Absolutely delighted that our @theifs.bsky.social work evaluating the effects of Sure Start centres won the "Publication of the Year" prize at last night's @smartthinking.bsky.social awards!
It's wonderful to be recognised for the quality and impact of our work.
ifs.org.uk/publications...
It's wonderful to be recognised for the quality and impact of our work.
ifs.org.uk/publications...
Reposted by Christine Farquharson
🎉 Proud to see our #Sure #Start @theifs.bsky.social research shortlisted for the ONS Research #Excellence Awards!
🏆 Learn more: www.ons.gov.uk/aboutus/what...
🗳️ We need your help! Please cast your #vote in the People’s Choice Award by Friday 31 October 2025👉🏻 forms.office.com/pages/respon...
🏆 Learn more: www.ons.gov.uk/aboutus/what...
🗳️ We need your help! Please cast your #vote in the People’s Choice Award by Friday 31 October 2025👉🏻 forms.office.com/pages/respon...
October 28, 2025 at 7:22 PM
🎉 Proud to see our #Sure #Start @theifs.bsky.social research shortlisted for the ONS Research #Excellence Awards!
🏆 Learn more: www.ons.gov.uk/aboutus/what...
🗳️ We need your help! Please cast your #vote in the People’s Choice Award by Friday 31 October 2025👉🏻 forms.office.com/pages/respon...
🏆 Learn more: www.ons.gov.uk/aboutus/what...
🗳️ We need your help! Please cast your #vote in the People’s Choice Award by Friday 31 October 2025👉🏻 forms.office.com/pages/respon...
Delighted that our @theifs.bsky.social research on Sure Start has been shortlisted for the ONS Research Excellence Awards!
Do check out our work (and the other amazing projects) and cast your vote in the People's Choice awards! tinyurl.com/3kra3trj
Do check out our work (and the other amazing projects) and cast your vote in the People's Choice awards! tinyurl.com/3kra3trj
Microsoft Forms
tinyurl.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Delighted that our @theifs.bsky.social research on Sure Start has been shortlisted for the ONS Research Excellence Awards!
Do check out our work (and the other amazing projects) and cast your vote in the People's Choice awards! tinyurl.com/3kra3trj
Do check out our work (and the other amazing projects) and cast your vote in the People's Choice awards! tinyurl.com/3kra3trj
Reposted by Christine Farquharson
Today’s Times gives “urged” the entirely new meaning of “a lukewarm mention in the middle of a 66 page report”.
October 13, 2025 at 6:34 AM
Today’s Times gives “urged” the entirely new meaning of “a lukewarm mention in the middle of a 66 page report”.
Phenomenal news - the birth cohorts are one of the UK's richest and most unique data resources.
I can't wait to see all the amazing evidence that we'll gain from this newest study!
I can't wait to see all the amazing evidence that we'll gain from this newest study!
Announcing Generation New Era: the first UK-wide birth cohort study in 25 years.
It will study 30,000 children born in 2026 across the four nations of the UK.
Watch out for upcoming opportunities for researchers and other stakeholders to engage with the study team via @clscohorts.bsky.social
It will study 30,000 children born in 2026 across the four nations of the UK.
Watch out for upcoming opportunities for researchers and other stakeholders to engage with the study team via @clscohorts.bsky.social
UKRI announces first UK-wide birth cohort study in 25 years
A ground-breaking UK-wide scientific study will help improve the lives of future generations by studying 30,000 children born in 2026.
www.ukri.org
September 9, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Phenomenal news - the birth cohorts are one of the UK's richest and most unique data resources.
I can't wait to see all the amazing evidence that we'll gain from this newest study!
I can't wait to see all the amazing evidence that we'll gain from this newest study!
Reposted by Christine Farquharson
NEW PODCAST: Are the kids ok? Family life
@helenmiller.bsky.social, @ckfarquharson.bsky.social and Anne Longfield explore family life in the UK, rising child poverty and pressures on social care in our 'Are the kids ok?' podcast mini-series.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/are...
@helenmiller.bsky.social, @ckfarquharson.bsky.social and Anne Longfield explore family life in the UK, rising child poverty and pressures on social care in our 'Are the kids ok?' podcast mini-series.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/are...
September 5, 2025 at 12:11 PM
NEW PODCAST: Are the kids ok? Family life
@helenmiller.bsky.social, @ckfarquharson.bsky.social and Anne Longfield explore family life in the UK, rising child poverty and pressures on social care in our 'Are the kids ok?' podcast mini-series.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/are...
@helenmiller.bsky.social, @ckfarquharson.bsky.social and Anne Longfield explore family life in the UK, rising child poverty and pressures on social care in our 'Are the kids ok?' podcast mini-series.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/are...
Reposted by Christine Farquharson
"There's been a really big increase in the share of children who are being identified as having special educational needs"
@ckfarquharson.bsky.social details the rise in special educational needs and its effect on schools.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/are...
@ckfarquharson.bsky.social details the rise in special educational needs and its effect on schools.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/are...
August 29, 2025 at 3:59 PM
"There's been a really big increase in the share of children who are being identified as having special educational needs"
@ckfarquharson.bsky.social details the rise in special educational needs and its effect on schools.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/are...
@ckfarquharson.bsky.social details the rise in special educational needs and its effect on schools.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/are...
We recorded this episode this morning (!) and I came out full of excitement!
@helenmiller.bsky.social and I had a great conversation with Sir Philip Augar - we covered the design of the post-16 system, the gulf between higher and further education, and even some tentative signs of hope. Do listen!
@helenmiller.bsky.social and I had a great conversation with Sir Philip Augar - we covered the design of the post-16 system, the gulf between higher and further education, and even some tentative signs of hope. Do listen!
NEW PODCAST: Are The Kids OK? The College Years
@helenmiller.bsky.social, @ckfarquharson.bsky.social & Sir Philip Augar discuss how well England’s education system supports young people as they move into adulthood in our 'Are the kids OK?' series.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/are...
@helenmiller.bsky.social, @ckfarquharson.bsky.social & Sir Philip Augar discuss how well England’s education system supports young people as they move into adulthood in our 'Are the kids OK?' series.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/are...
August 28, 2025 at 3:59 PM
We recorded this episode this morning (!) and I came out full of excitement!
@helenmiller.bsky.social and I had a great conversation with Sir Philip Augar - we covered the design of the post-16 system, the gulf between higher and further education, and even some tentative signs of hope. Do listen!
@helenmiller.bsky.social and I had a great conversation with Sir Philip Augar - we covered the design of the post-16 system, the gulf between higher and further education, and even some tentative signs of hope. Do listen!
Reposted by Christine Farquharson
"Only way that you are going to make a significant difference in the life of a child under the age of two, is by working with parents"
@ckfarquharson.bsky.social argues effective early years policy must focus on working with parents and families.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/are...
@ckfarquharson.bsky.social argues effective early years policy must focus on working with parents and families.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/are...
August 27, 2025 at 4:03 PM
"Only way that you are going to make a significant difference in the life of a child under the age of two, is by working with parents"
@ckfarquharson.bsky.social argues effective early years policy must focus on working with parents and families.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/are...
@ckfarquharson.bsky.social argues effective early years policy must focus on working with parents and families.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/are...
Reposted by Christine Farquharson
NEW PODCAST: Are the kids ok? The school years
Are England’s school children thriving, or are too many being left behind?
@helenmiller.bsky.social, @ckfarquharson.bsky.social & @samfr.bsky.social assess the state of England's schools in our podcast.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/are...
Are England’s school children thriving, or are too many being left behind?
@helenmiller.bsky.social, @ckfarquharson.bsky.social & @samfr.bsky.social assess the state of England's schools in our podcast.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/are...
August 21, 2025 at 10:28 AM
NEW PODCAST: Are the kids ok? The school years
Are England’s school children thriving, or are too many being left behind?
@helenmiller.bsky.social, @ckfarquharson.bsky.social & @samfr.bsky.social assess the state of England's schools in our podcast.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/are...
Are England’s school children thriving, or are too many being left behind?
@helenmiller.bsky.social, @ckfarquharson.bsky.social & @samfr.bsky.social assess the state of England's schools in our podcast.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/are...
Reposted by Christine Farquharson
Panoramic conversation on early years policy - what do we know & where should policy go.
With the excellent @careyoppenheim.bsky.social @ckfarquharson.bsky.social & @helenmiller.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/00sX...
With the excellent @careyoppenheim.bsky.social @ckfarquharson.bsky.social & @helenmiller.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/00sX...
Are The Kids OK? The Early Years (Episode 1)
IFS Zooms In: The Economy · Episode
open.spotify.com
August 19, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Panoramic conversation on early years policy - what do we know & where should policy go.
With the excellent @careyoppenheim.bsky.social @ckfarquharson.bsky.social & @helenmiller.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/00sX...
With the excellent @careyoppenheim.bsky.social @ckfarquharson.bsky.social & @helenmiller.bsky.social
open.spotify.com/episode/00sX...
Reposted by Christine Farquharson
Bit weird that none of these articles mention that family hubs already exist and were set up by the last government. This an expansion and bolstering of them not a completely new thing.
NEW: Labour will aim to embed a Sure Start-type system of help for deprived children and families so deeply and completely into the state that a future Reform government would not be able to dismantle it, Bridget Phillipson has pledged.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Labour vows to protect Sure Start-type system from any future Reform assault
Exclusive: Education secretary says scheme will be so deeply embedded that no rightwing party can unpick it
www.theguardian.com
July 7, 2025 at 6:52 AM
Bit weird that none of these articles mention that family hubs already exist and were set up by the last government. This an expansion and bolstering of them not a completely new thing.
In light of today's announcements on Family Hubs, this @theifs.bsky.social podcast is looking even more timely!
A great discussion with @officialedballs.bsky.social and @pjtheeconomist.bsky.social on the benefits of Sure Start and the political economy of keeping early childhood programmes going.
A great discussion with @officialedballs.bsky.social and @pjtheeconomist.bsky.social on the benefits of Sure Start and the political economy of keeping early childhood programmes going.
NEW PODCAST: The policy that changed childhood in the UK
@pjtheeconomist.bsky.social is joined by @ckfarquharson.bsky.social and @officialedballs.bsky.social to explore the impact and legacy of Sure Start.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/pol...
@pjtheeconomist.bsky.social is joined by @ckfarquharson.bsky.social and @officialedballs.bsky.social to explore the impact and legacy of Sure Start.
🎧 Listen here: ifs.org.uk/articles/pol...
July 6, 2025 at 3:13 PM
In light of today's announcements on Family Hubs, this @theifs.bsky.social podcast is looking even more timely!
A great discussion with @officialedballs.bsky.social and @pjtheeconomist.bsky.social on the benefits of Sure Start and the political economy of keeping early childhood programmes going.
A great discussion with @officialedballs.bsky.social and @pjtheeconomist.bsky.social on the benefits of Sure Start and the political economy of keeping early childhood programmes going.
Reposted by Christine Farquharson
“This new guidance will damage the quality of government and public discourse.” Important new comment from me and @alexgathomas.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...
The government should not ban public servants from speaking in public | Institute for Government
New guidance will damage the quality of government and public discourse.
www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk
June 26, 2025 at 7:27 AM
“This new guidance will damage the quality of government and public discourse.” Important new comment from me and @alexgathomas.bsky.social www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/gove...
Spending on the new childcare entitlements next year could be £1bn higher than initially forecast in March 2023 - a 25% increase.
So what's going on? I break down the numbers that @pjtheeconomist.bsky.social and @maxwarner.bsky.social set out in @theifs.bsky.social post-Spending Review briefing.
So what's going on? I break down the numbers that @pjtheeconomist.bsky.social and @maxwarner.bsky.social set out in @theifs.bsky.social post-Spending Review briefing.
June 12, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Spending on the new childcare entitlements next year could be £1bn higher than initially forecast in March 2023 - a 25% increase.
So what's going on? I break down the numbers that @pjtheeconomist.bsky.social and @maxwarner.bsky.social set out in @theifs.bsky.social post-Spending Review briefing.
So what's going on? I break down the numbers that @pjtheeconomist.bsky.social and @maxwarner.bsky.social set out in @theifs.bsky.social post-Spending Review briefing.
Reposted by Christine Farquharson
One weird thing about the efficiency drive announced yesterday is that we got
(1) a detailed, bottom-up piece of work from the Office for Value for Money on the scope for savings in each department
(2) top-down plans for all departments to make the precise same % cut to admin budgets
(1) a detailed, bottom-up piece of work from the Office for Value for Money on the scope for savings in each department
(2) top-down plans for all departments to make the precise same % cut to admin budgets
Administration budgets are set to be squeezed.
Efficiency savings would be good and needed, but it's odd that the government thinks the scope for savings is almost identical across every area, regardless of whether these departments are priority areas or not...
Efficiency savings would be good and needed, but it's odd that the government thinks the scope for savings is almost identical across every area, regardless of whether these departments are priority areas or not...
June 12, 2025 at 10:25 AM
One weird thing about the efficiency drive announced yesterday is that we got
(1) a detailed, bottom-up piece of work from the Office for Value for Money on the scope for savings in each department
(2) top-down plans for all departments to make the precise same % cut to admin budgets
(1) a detailed, bottom-up piece of work from the Office for Value for Money on the scope for savings in each department
(2) top-down plans for all departments to make the precise same % cut to admin budgets
Super useful from @lukesibieta.bsky.social on school funding choices.
Protecting the total core schools budget means real-terms spending per pupil will rise by around 3%.
We don't know anything on colleges yet - reminder that real-terms per-pupil protection there needs an extra £300m in today's £.
Protecting the total core schools budget means real-terms spending per pupil will rise by around 3%.
We don't know anything on colleges yet - reminder that real-terms per-pupil protection there needs an extra £300m in today's £.
What does £4.5 billion extra for schools in England mean?
My guess is that this is a real-terms freeze in the core schools budget plus some extra money for free school meals
This thread explains why 🧵[1/6]
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
@theifs.bsky.social @nuffieldfoundation.org
My guess is that this is a real-terms freeze in the core schools budget plus some extra money for free school meals
This thread explains why 🧵[1/6]
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
@theifs.bsky.social @nuffieldfoundation.org
Surprise extra £4.5bn for schools as Reeves goes to wire ...
More money for SEND reforms and teachers’ pay while health and defence are big winners in spending review
observer.co.uk
June 9, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Super useful from @lukesibieta.bsky.social on school funding choices.
Protecting the total core schools budget means real-terms spending per pupil will rise by around 3%.
We don't know anything on colleges yet - reminder that real-terms per-pupil protection there needs an extra £300m in today's £.
Protecting the total core schools budget means real-terms spending per pupil will rise by around 3%.
We don't know anything on colleges yet - reminder that real-terms per-pupil protection there needs an extra £300m in today's £.
The government has announced that, from next year, free school meals will be extended to all children whose families receive Universal Credit.
Currently, families need an after-tax income below £7,400 to be eligible - removing the cap will bring 1.7m kids into eligibility in the long term.
Currently, families need an after-tax income below £7,400 to be eligible - removing the cap will bring 1.7m kids into eligibility in the long term.
June 4, 2025 at 10:54 PM
The government has announced that, from next year, free school meals will be extended to all children whose families receive Universal Credit.
Currently, families need an after-tax income below £7,400 to be eligible - removing the cap will bring 1.7m kids into eligibility in the long term.
Currently, families need an after-tax income below £7,400 to be eligible - removing the cap will bring 1.7m kids into eligibility in the long term.