Beyond the Bubble: The Budget Balancing Act

As the Government prepares to deliver its Autumn Budget, expectations remain high while the choices facing ministers are becoming increasingly difficult. With pressure on public finances, demands on public services, and continued concern about the cost of living, every Budget decision involves trade-offs.

But when voters are asked to choose between competing priorities, what matters most? Would the public prioritise lower taxes or greater investment in services? Which areas should government protect if spending becomes constrained? And what sacrifices are people willing to accept to fund the issues they care about most?

Join Ipsos and the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) for an exclusive Beyond the Bubble briefing exploring the difficult choices at the heart of this year's Budget. Drawing on new Ipsos polling, we will reveal how the public balances competing demands across taxation, public spending and national priorities, offering a unique perspective on what the Budget needs to deliver.

The event will feature exclusive insights from Gideon Skinner, alongside a panel of leading experts who will discuss what these findings mean for policymakers, businesses and the political landscape in the months ahead.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a live audience Q&A.

Speakers

• Andy Haldane, British Economist
• Dr David Aikamn, Director, The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR)
• Gideon Skinner, Senior Director of UK Politics at Ipsos