
Paul Johnson
Outgoing boss of the Institute for Fiscal Studies. Expert in public finances and tax policy.
Top 10 podcasts with Paul Johnson
Ranked by the Snipd community

70 snips
Jul 9, 2025 • 49min
188. How Politics is Bankrupting Britain
Paul Johnson, the outgoing head of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, shares his insights on the UK's looming fiscal crisis. He discusses the Office for Budget Responsibility's warnings and critiques the effectiveness of current fiscal rules amid major historical challenges like Brexit and COVID-19. The conversation dives into Britain's rising national debt, unfunded defense spending, and the complexities of the UK’s taxation system. Johnson emphasizes the urgent need for tax reform and the potential consequences for economic growth as the government navigates these turbulent waters.

51 snips
Jul 13, 2025 • 37min
189. What Would The Outgoing Boss Of The IFS Do If He Was Chancellor?
Join Paul Johnson, the outgoing head of the Institute for Fiscal Studies and a leading expert in public finances, as he tackles pressing economic questions facing the UK. Discover why the nation struggles with debt and budget deficits and whether austerity measures helped or hindered progress. Johnson reflects on lessons learned from the pandemic and Brexit, critiques the current tax system's complexity, and proposes a fairer approach to taxation. His insights on global austerity experiences add a seasoned perspective to the conversation.

27 snips
Mar 24, 2025 • 31min
How big a fiscal hole is the British government in? With Paul Johnson
In this discussion, Paul Johnson, Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, dives into the UK's pressing fiscal challenges. He analyzes the aftermath of stagnant economic growth and rising borrowing costs faced by the government. As defense spending escalates, he weighs the implications of breaking tax pledges. Johnson critiques the government's growth strategies while assessing the balance between defense needs and welfare commitments. Listeners gain insight into the future of public finances and the necessity for transparent fiscal policies in turbulent times.

14 snips
Jun 14, 2025 • 20min
Why is Britain's economy so unhealthy?
In this enlightening discussion, Paul Johnson, Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, and Ruth Curtice, CEO of the Resolution Foundation, dive into Britain's troubled economy. They question whether the looming tax rises highlight deeper structural issues. The duo examines the lingering fiscal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the surprising disconnect between public expectations and government capabilities. Intriguingly, they share bold policy ideas, like overhauling tax systems to combat child poverty—imagine being an economic dictator for a day!

14 snips
Jun 14, 2025 • 20min
Coffee House Shots: why is Britain's economy so unhealthy?
Paul Johnson is the Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies and author of Follow the Money, while Ruth Curtice is the Chief Executive of the Resolution Foundation and a former Treasury fiscal policy director. They delve into why Britain's economy appears unhealthy, discussing the disconnect between high taxes and declining public services. They explore the lasting effects of COVID-19 and the public's mismatched expectations. Both guests share their dream economic policies, tackling issues like child poverty and housing taxation, offering insightful solutions to complex problems.

14 snips
Jun 8, 2025 • 33min
Spending Review: Tussles In The Treasury
Simon Jack, the BBC's Business editor, teams up with Paul Johnson, the Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, to dissect the tensions within the Treasury as the government approaches its Spending Review. They delve into how budget constraints are impacting economic growth and public services, and the urgent need for transparency in government spending. The pair also reflects on the slow recovery from the 2010s recession and its political implications, showcasing the intricate dance between fiscal policy and governance.

13 snips
Dec 9, 2024 • 43min
119. Can Labour’s spending review really mend public services?
In this insightful discussion, Paul Johnson, Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies and a public finance expert, delves into Labour's spending review and its potential impact on public services. He evaluates whether Wes Streeting can realistically reform the NHS amid existing funding challenges. Johnson also highlights the shortcomings of data on the UK jobs market, raising concerns about economic policies. The dialogues explore systemic inefficiencies and the urgent need for innovative solutions to improve public service outcomes.

12 snips
Apr 14, 2025 • 1h 4min
ARCHIVE: Where do your taxes actually go?
Paul Johnson, Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies and author of 'Follow the Money,' dives into the complexities of UK taxation. He discusses where our taxes truly go and dispels myths about tax burdens. The conversation tackles public spending inefficiencies, especially in the NHS, and explores the ancient and bizarre tax laws that still echo today. Johnson emphasizes the need for tax reform to address modern financial pressures, particularly on families, and argues for a fair taxation system to tackle national challenges like an aging population and climate change.

7 snips
Dec 4, 2023 • 1h 3min
Where do your taxes actually go?
Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, discusses where UK taxes go, challenges in tax policies, wealth taxation gaps, complexities of corporation tax, and the need for fair taxation to address societal issues like aging population and climate change.

May 29, 2024 • 53min
62. Is there any money left?
Paul Johnson, Head of the IFS, discusses the economic challenges and possibilities for the next government. Topics include tax increases, productivity improvement, fiscal policies post-election, wealth inequality, and strategic government planning for growth and education.