ICAEW.com works better with JavaScript enabled.

Public Sector Finances

Read the latest insights on the public finances, including the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on public finances in the UK and around the world. Find out more about tax and other income, public spending, public assets and public liabilities including debt, and what governments can do to develop an effective long-term fiscal strategy to ensure the sustainability of public finances.
Contents
Back to top

Insights

Chart of the week: OBR forecast evaluation
  • Article
  • 05 Jun 2026
Our chart this week looks at the Office of Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) forecast evaluation for the year ended 31 March 2025, showing the very large differences between the OBR’s pre-election March 2024 one-year forecast and the 2024/25 outturn.
Finance for the Future 2026 hails champions of resilience
  • Article
  • 02 Jun 2026
Sustainable finance innovators across an array of industries received awards on 1 June recognising their work paving the way for greater resilience across financial decision making.
Chart of the week: fuel prices
  • Article
  • 28 May 2026
Our chart this week is on fuel prices, illustrating both how the price at the pump is made up and how prices have risen over the last four months.
Suren Thiru on why 2026’s strong start is unlikely to last
  • Article
  • 28 May 2026
Storm clouds are gathering over the UK economy despite better-than-expected inflation and GDP growth figures. ICAEW’s Chief Economist Suren Thiru discusses the implications, what you need to know about current economic conditions and key points to watch.
View more

Highlights

Think big on election promises, urges think tank
  • Article
  • 17 Jun 2024
Big rows over small pledges risk missing wider uncertainties – including a potential £12bn black hole in public finances, Resolution Foundation warns.
Dark clouds over public finances as January falls short
  • Article
  • 24 Feb 2025
A smaller-than-anticipated boost from self assessment tax receipts added to pressures on the public finances ahead of the Spring Forecast next month.
ICAEW publishes in-depth Fiscal Insight on the Spring Budget
  • Article
  • 10 Apr 2024
Now that the dust has settled on last month’s Spring Budget, ICAEW has published a more detailed analysis on the implications for the public finances.
Budget must take immediate action on growth, says ICAEW
  • Article
  • 19 Sep 2024
The Chancellor must put incentivising growth at the heart of the Budget, says ICAEW, as it calls for long-term fiscal planning, a fundamental review of the tax system and investment in skills and green technologies.
Public sector finances disappoint ahead of Spring Statement
  • Article
  • 24 Mar 2025
The shortfall between receipts and public spending reached £132bn in the 11 months to February – and is potentially on track to hit £150bn by the end of the financial year.
UK’s long-term fiscal challenges debated with ICAEW
  • Article
  • 13 Mar 2025
ICAEW yesterday (12 March) convened a high-powered roundtable with the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, leading think-tanks and others to discuss the long-term fiscal challenges confronting the UK.
£80bn fall in net worth of local authorities since 2021
  • Article
  • 15 May 2024
Report by the National Institute of Economic Social Research points to rising interest rates driving a growing cost of debt at local authorities.
Strategic Finance Network Group
  • Article
  • 08 Apr 2024
The first face-to-face meeting of the Strategic Finance Network Group tackled the fascinating subject of ‘Influencing Upwards’ at an event hosted by ICAEW at Chartered Accountants Hall.

Reports and analysis

Policy and research
  • Hub page
  • 23 May 2011
ICAEW members advice more than three million businesses, we draw on their experience, our original research and technical expertise to develop policy recommendations which benefit the economy and protect the integrity of the accountancy profession.
Policy and research
  • Hub page
  • 23 May 2011
ICAEW members advice more than three million businesses, we draw on their experience, our original research and technical expertise to develop policy recommendations which benefit the economy and protect the integrity of the accountancy profession.
Sustainable public finances and government accounting in Europe
  • Report
  • 19 Dec 2019
  • PDF (3,937kb)
A collection of independent essays and an ICAEW/PwC call for EU reform.
Global Financial Stability Synopsis
  • Report
  • 26 Mar 2018
  • PDF (350kb)
Synopsis of the Global Financial Stability and Public Debt.
View more
Public Sector Audit and Assurance

Improving the quality of public audit. Becoming a registered local auditor. Assurance for grant-paying bodies

Find out more
Data on a transparent glass screen
Public Sector Finances

Insights and analysis on the UK public finances, including the #icaewchartoftheweek.

Find out more
Watering can
Public Sector Financial Management

Our Better Government Series of policy insights looks at how to improve finance leadership and financial management in the public sector.

Find out more
Doughnut chart
Public Sector Financial Reporting

Developments in International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) affecting the public sector.

Find out more
Hands globe
Europe and International

Exploring public sector finances and financial management across the globe.

Find out more
Books seen from above
Learning and Development

How we can help professionals, in the public sector and beyond, develop their skills and advance their careers.

Find out more

Further resources

microphone
Public Sector webinars and recordings

Specialist resources and events for the public sector

See more
Diverse group of people
Public Sector Community

Free to join and open to non-ICAEW members

See more
Newspaper, a pen and coffee mug laid on table
Public Sector Community Newsletters

Latest news from the Public Sector Community

See more