The research agenda at the Centre for Policy Evaluation is largely shaped by the central objective of providing well-informed and rigorous analysis of the effects of policy decisions on economic outcomes, and the potential impact of policy reform. In addition to issues-based research, the Centre is also committed to the development of effective and accurate microsimulation tools and evaluation methods with which to address questions of immediate policy concern.

Current CPE research programmes focus on the following issues:

• tax and welfare policy reform
  
• pensions policies and retirement decisions;
  
• the effects of policies to promote further education and training;
  
• childcare subsidies and the market for childcare services;
  
• food policy, environment and the rural economy.