Public spending – House of Commons Library

Coronavirus: Government debt, an explainer

Published Tuesday, April 07, 2020April 7, 2020 Matt Keep Matt Keep

Government debt will increase as it responds to coronavirus. In this insight we look at the basics of what government debt is, how it is funded and who it is owed to.…

Commons Research Briefing Americas Asia Pacific Benefits Business Diseases Economic policy Economic situation Economy Europe Industry Public spending Tax The EU Work & Incomes

Coronavirus: Support for economies by European and other states

Published Tuesday, March 31, 2020April 9, 2020 Ben Smith, Daniel Harari, Ilze Jozepa, John Curtis, Stefano Fella

What economic support have governments given to businesses and individuals to tackle the impact of the coronavirus? This paper looks at the policies put in place by the EU, governments in Europe, the US and other developed countries.…

Commons Research Briefing Diseases Economic policy Economic situation Public spending

Coronavirus: Effect on the economy and public finances

Published Friday, March 27, 2020April 9, 2020 Daniel Harari, Matthew Keep

The coronavirus outbreak is impacting the UK economy in a number of different ways: from supply chain disruption to the closure of businesses for public health reasons. This briefing provides an overview of how the virus is affecting the economy, the policy measures introduced to mitigate the impact, and the effect this all has on the public finances.…

Commons Debate Pack Benefits Business Diseases Economic policy Economic situation Families & Social Services Public spending

[Coronavirus] Opposition Day Debates: Social Cohesion & Community and Financial and Social Emergency Support Package

Published Wednesday, March 25, 2020April 9, 2020 David Foster, Philip Brien, Philip Loft, Steven Kennedy, Wendy Wilson

On 25 March 2020, there will be two topics for the 7th allotted Opposition Day Debate in the House of Commons. The first debate is on the subject of “Social cohesion and community” and the second on “Financial and social emergency support package”, both in the context of the Covid-19 outbreak. The House of Commons Library has shared relevant material below. …

Commons Research Briefing Diseases Public spending

Contingencies Fund Bill

Published Tuesday, March 24, 2020April 9, 2020 Philip Brien

This note provides a short overview of the Contingencies Fund and the public spending measures being proposed to deal with the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak.…

Commons Research Briefing Economic situation Public spending

Public Finances: Key Economic Indicators

Published Friday, March 20, 2020April 9, 2020 Matthew Keep

Latest data on government net borrowing and net debt.…

Commons Research Briefing Government Public spending

The 2020 Spending Review envelope

Published Thursday, March 19, 2020April 9, 2020 Philip Brien

An overview of the spending envelope for the 2020 Comprehensive Spending Review, as announced in the March 2020 Budget.…

Commons Research Briefing Economic policy Public spending

The Office for Budget Responsibility and Charter for Budget Responsibility

Published Saturday, March 14, 2020April 9, 2020 Matthew Keep

This briefing investigates who the Office for Budget Responsibility are and what they do. It also discusses the Government’s fiscal targets, which are included in the Charter for Budget Responsibility.…

Commons Research Briefing Economic policy Economic situation Public spending

Government borrowing, debt and debt interest: statistics

Published Thursday, March 12, 2020April 9, 2020 Matthew Keep

This is a purely statistical note on public sector borrowing (the budget deficit), public sector debt and government debt interest payments.…

Economic policy Insight Public spending Tax

Budget 2020: Will the Chancellor change the rules?

Published Tuesday, March 10, 2020March 10, 2020 Matt Keep Matt Keep

The Conservative manifesto set out rules for the public finances. Will the Chancellor stick to them?
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Commons Research Briefing Aviation Benefits Economic policy Economic situation Pensions Planning Public spending Rail Roads Tax Work & Incomes

Spring Budget 2020: Background briefing

Published Monday, March 09, 2020April 9, 2020 Chris Rhodes, Daniel Harari, Djuna Thurley, Jonathan Finlay, Louise Butcher, Matthew Keep, Matthew Ward, Niamh Foley, Paul Bolton, Philip Brien, Roderick McInnes, Steven Kennedy

This briefing sets out the background to Spring Budget 2020 which will take place on 11 March 2020. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) will publish revised forecasts for the economy and public finances on the same day.
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Commons Research Briefing Government Local Government Public spending

Local government finances

Published Thursday, March 05, 2020April 9, 2020 Philip Brien

Local authorities in England spent £91 billion in 2018/19. This briefing looks at the funding that local authorities receive from central Government, and where and how they spend it.…

Commons Research Briefing Government Public spending

Revised Government spending plans for 2019/20

Published Tuesday, February 25, 2020April 9, 2020 Alex Knight, Joe Robins, Larry Honeysett, Philip Brien, Ria Gill-Williams

Details of the Supplementary Estimates for 2019/20, the Government’s revised set of spending plans for each department, which will go before Parliament for approval on 2 March 2020.…

Commons Research Briefing Africa Asia Pacific Climate Change Economy Government Institutions International development International organisations International trade Parliament Public spending The EU

UK aid: frequently asked questions

Published Wednesday, February 19, 2020April 9, 2020 Ilze Jozepa, Jon Lunn, Philip Brien

What is aid? What is the UN 0.7% aid target and why has the UK adopted it? Which government departments spend UK aid? What impact does UK aid have? What will be the impact of Brexit on UK aid? These and other questions are answered in an accessible way in this briefing paper.…

Commons Research Briefing Local Government Public spending Tax

Local Government Finance Settlement 2020-21

Published Monday, February 10, 2020April 9, 2020 Mark Sandford, Matthew Keep, Philip Brien

This briefing summarises and analyses the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2020-21, set to be debated in the House on Wednesday 12 February 2020.…

Commons Research Briefing Benefits Economic policy Public spending

The welfare cap

Published Wednesday, January 22, 2020April 9, 2020 Matthew Keep

This policy limits the total amount that Government can spend on certain benefits, including tax credits and housing benefit. Not to be confused with the household benefits cap which limits the amount individual households can receive.…

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