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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

Retail sector optimism shows signs of waning
  • Article
  • 20 Feb 2025
Last summer brought hope that the retail sector had turned a corner in its recovery from the pandemic. Now, figures suggest it is back in the doldrums. Is that really the case?
Trade Strategy Review: six principles for success
  • Article
  • 18 Feb 2025
ICAEW has taken the opportunity to comment on the Trade Strategy Review, received from the Department for Business and Trade on 22 November.
Chart of the week: UN budget contributions 2025
  • Article
  • 14 Feb 2025
Our chart this week looks at the assessed contributions of member states to the United Nations Regular Budget for 2025.
What is hindering business growth in the UK?
  • Article
  • 14 Feb 2025
ICAEW wants to hear from its members on what they believe are the key blockers to business growth in the UK. Share your experiences today and shape our recommendations to policymakers.
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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.
Public finances end financial year in weak position
  • Article
  • 24 Apr 2024
Net debt represents a growing fiscal mortgage of £92,000 per UK household as a difficult financial year comes to a close.
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.
Tough choices ahead as public spending continues to rise
  • Article
  • 23 Sep 2024
Year-to-date deficit is the third highest for August since monthly records began.
ICAEW urges government ‘stability and clarity’ in budgets
  • Article
  • 28 Feb 2024
In a letter to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, the Institute writes about the Spending Review scheduled for later this year, cost effectiveness in infrastructure delivery and public sector productivity.
£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

ICAEW analysis of WGA 2018/19
  • Report
  • 22 Jul 2020
ICAEW welcomes the publication of the Whole of Government Accounts for 2018-19, the UK Government’s annual financial report for the year ended 31 March 2019.
OBR Fiscal risks report 2019
  • Report
  • 24 Jul 2019
On 18 July 2019, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) published its second fiscal risks report. The fiscal risks report provides an analysis of the economic and policy risks facing the public finances, including a ‘fiscal stress test’, setting out how the fiscal numbers might react to a no-deal Brexit.
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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Resources by Topic

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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Public Sector Finances

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

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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

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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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