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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.
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Insights

Chart of the week: England and Wales population
  • Article
  • 30 Jul 2026
Our chart this week show how the England and Wales official population estimate of 62m on 30 June 2025 is distributed by region.
Tokenisation: what does FCA package mean for accountants?
  • Article
  • 30 Jul 2026
In a big step towards the tokenisation of the UK economy, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has set out a package of regulatory changes to account for cryptoassets.
Suren Thiru on the new PM’s economic inheritance
  • Article
  • 30 Jul 2026
Economic update: While the new prime minister is inheriting an economy that has returned to growth and seen inflation easing, the outlook is looking increasingly difficult as business confidence drops to near four-year low.
ICAEW reflects on Andy Burnham's first-week tax announcements
  • Article
  • 27 Jul 2026
ICAEW’s Tax Faculty considers the announcements made during the new Prime Minister's first week in office, including reductions in VAT on domestic energy bills and in business rates bills for pubs, social clubs and live music venues.
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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.
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Public Sector Audit and Assurance

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

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Data on a transparent glass screen
Public Sector Finances

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

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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.

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Doughnut chart
Public Sector Financial Reporting

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

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Hands globe
Europe and International

Exploring public sector finances and financial management across the globe.

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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.

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Further resources

microphone
Public Sector webinars and recordings

Specialist resources and events for the public sector

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Diverse group of people
Public Sector Community

Free to join and open to non-ICAEW members

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Public Sector Community Newsletters

Latest news from the Public Sector Community

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