The National Institute of Economic and Social Research is an independent research institute, founded in 1938. The vision of our founders was to carry out research to improve understanding of  the economic and social forces that affect people’s lives, and the ways in which policy can bring about change. And this remains central to NIESR’s ethos. We continue to apply our expertise in both quantitative and qualitative methods and our understanding of economic and social issues to current debates and to influence policy. The Institute is independent of all party political interests.