Parties making public spending pledges during the election campaign should look beyond the size of the state and consider its shape, a high-profile report from the Resolution Foundation has urged.

The report, The shape of things to come, is based on an analysis of the potential rise in spending following pledges by both major parties and the recent one year spending review. Published before the major parties produce their election manifestos, it notes that there likely to be more spending pledges before polling day.