Why make a fuss about the IFS? Simple: it's dangerous. Take this form this week's KPMG tax newsletter:

UK News

Institute for Fiscal Studies study recommends that standard rate of VAT should apply to everything

A leading economic think tank has suggested, as part of a wider review of tax system reform by the Institute for Fiscal Studies, that applying standard rate VAT to everything that is currently zero or reduced rated would raise enough revenue to increase means tested benefits and tax credits for lower income families by £12bn and cut taxes by £11bn. This could compensate the poor for the extra cost of paying more VAT on essentials.

It's no surprise that KPMG might promote such an idea, which is fair and square in the best interests of its wealthy clients. It knows it can't put forward such radical and regressive proposals itself, but if the IFS does it then they appears to gain respectability. In fairness to KPMG they also say:

Of course as VAT advisers we have a vested interest in the matter, but we cannot see giving up our hard fought battle for zero rates can ever be the right way to proceed.

But that hasn't stopped them drawing attention to it, and you can be sure it won't be the last time. And when KPMG use the IFS stance to appear moderate is it fair to say that the IFS is a real threat to the well being of ordinary people in this country? In my opinion, yes.