We ask the UK Government to commission a public inquiry into the long-term fiscal, social, and economic consequences of the austerity-era reductions in public spending, which, in our view, have occurred over the last 15 years.

Concerns have been raised about whether austerity measures over the last 15 years weakened public services and slowed economic growth. A transparent review could identify an exhaustive list of the austerity measures and the relevant HMG department(s) affected by each decision, help determine whether taxpayer value was maximised or otherwise by each decision, and identify lessons to guide future policy-making.