The Institute for Fiscal Studies occupies a lofty place in any coverage of the fiscal crisis facing the British economy. Their independent research is frequently quoted and the fiscal plans of the three main parties are scrutinised in the context of the dispassionate analysis that the IFS brings to bear. Some seriously good economists have cut their teeth at the IFS before moving onto other things. Here is the link to the recent research publications from the IFS. Among the various election and budget reports there are some good documents on what has happened to productivity during the recession and an analysis of what has happened to poverty during the 13 years of the Labour government.