The project now underway to produce a new, multi-volume print and online edition of Mitchell’s celebrated British Historical Statistics (BHS) is an opportunity to examine the history of BHS. An account of its conception, reception and evolution provides a window through which to examine a...

The paper analyses theoretically what role fiscal councils could play and surveys empirically the activities of existing councils. Case studies of the Swedish Fiscal Policy Council and the UK Office for Budget Responsibility are done. It is concluded that fiscal councils should be advisory,...