How can the upcoming Health Data Research Service simplify access to national health data for research opportunities, while addressing technical challenges, security, governance and public trust?

How can the upcoming Health Data Research Service simplify access to national health data for research opportunities, while addressing technical challenges, security, governance and public trust?

How might effective governance of solar radiation modification research be established, as interest grows in outdoor research experiments?

How might effective governance of solar radiation modification research be established, as interest grows in outdoor research experiments?

What does evidence suggest about the economic effects of policies supporting families with young children?

What does evidence suggest about the economic effects of policies supporting families with young children?

2025 saw the highest ever number of new solar panel installations in the UK. Amid volatile electricity prices, can small-scale solar reduce electricity bills, and what challenges remain in its rollout?

2025 saw the highest ever number of new solar panel installations in the UK. Amid volatile electricity prices, can small-scale solar reduce electricity bills, and what challenges remain in its rollout?

Hydrogen has potential as a low-carbon fuel in some industries. How can hydrogen be transported and what are the plans, progress and challenges in creating a hydrogen pipeline network?

Hydrogen has potential as a low-carbon fuel in some industries. How can hydrogen be transported and what are the plans, progress and challenges in creating a hydrogen pipeline network?

Lifelong learning supports skills development, as technological change, ageing and labour market shifts increase demand for upskilling and retraining. What are the opportunities, challenges and wider impacts?

Lifelong learning supports skills development, as technological change, ageing and labour market shifts increase demand for upskilling and retraining. What are the opportunities, challenges and wider impacts?

This POSTnote outlines the evidence, challenges and benefits for implementing catchment scale nature-based solutions for flood and drought resilience.

This POSTnote outlines the evidence, challenges and benefits for implementing catchment scale nature-based solutions for flood and drought resilience.

This POSTnote summarises the challenges and opportunities for developing the evidence base required to ensure the effectiveness of nature recovery actions.

This POSTnote summarises the challenges and opportunities for developing the evidence base required to ensure the effectiveness of nature recovery actions.

Research and development for defence aims to create new military capabilities or improve existing ones. How is it funded in the UK, and what are the challenges?

Research and development for defence aims to create new military capabilities or improve existing ones. How is it funded in the UK, and what are the challenges?

One in four women in England experience mental ill health during pregnancy and postpartum, with inequalities in risk, care quality and access to support.

One in four women in England experience mental ill health during pregnancy and postpartum, with inequalities in risk, care quality and access to support.

The UK Government aims to get to Net Zero by 2050. The way the public engages with energy policies and technologies plays an important role in the transition.

The UK Government aims to get to Net Zero by 2050. The way the public engages with energy policies and technologies plays an important role in the transition.

Rare genetic diseases affect approximately 3.5 million people in the UK. How can genetic technologies, policies and initiatives in healthcare support diagnosis and treatment?

Rare genetic diseases affect approximately 3.5 million people in the UK. How can genetic technologies, policies and initiatives in healthcare support diagnosis and treatment?

Data centres underpin most aspects of modern life, including economic activity, cloud services, and how we interact with one another. How many does the UK have, and how do they affect the environment?

Data centres underpin most aspects of modern life, including economic activity, cloud services, and how we interact with one another. How many does the UK have, and how do they affect the environment?

What is the legislative framework for surrogacy in the UK? What discussions are there around surrogacy law in the UK, and what are the policy considerations?

What is the legislative framework for surrogacy in the UK? What discussions are there around surrogacy law in the UK, and what are the policy considerations?

The number of children in care has risen in the last decade, with many facing challenges in stability, mental health and education. What does the evidence say about which interventions improve outcomes, and how current policy and system pressures shape support for looked after children?

The number of children in care has risen in the last decade, with many facing challenges in stability, mental health and education. What does the evidence say about which interventions improve outcomes, and how current policy and system pressures shape support for looked after children?

This POSTnote outlines evidence on environmental risks from legacy landfill sites in England, related policy and regulation, remediation and reducing risks.

This POSTnote outlines evidence on environmental risks from legacy landfill sites in England, related policy and regulation, remediation and reducing risks.

How have changes to legal aid affected access to justice in England and Wales? What are the key trends, impacts and regional disparities in legal support and service provision?

How have changes to legal aid affected access to justice in England and Wales? What are the key trends, impacts and regional disparities in legal support and service provision?

How is the UK replacing animal testing with technology alternatives? What are the opportunities, risks and barriers?

How is the UK replacing animal testing with technology alternatives? What are the opportunities, risks and barriers?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more common in UK workplaces. How is it being used, and what are the impacts on job opportunities and working conditions?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more common in UK workplaces. How is it being used, and what are the impacts on job opportunities and working conditions?

This POSTnote summarises the challenges and options for reducing nutrient pollution in river catchments currently subject to 'nutrient neutrality' planning advice

This POSTnote summarises the challenges and options for reducing nutrient pollution in river catchments currently subject to 'nutrient neutrality' planning advice

Sickle cell disorder and beta thalassemia are inherited blood conditions that can cause severe pain and organ damage. How are these conditions treated, and what challenges do patients face? What role could new personalised medicines like gene-editing therapies play, and what are the barriers to their adoption?

Sickle cell disorder and beta thalassemia are inherited blood conditions that can cause severe pain and organ damage. How are these conditions treated, and what challenges do patients face? What role could new personalised medicines like gene-editing therapies play, and what are the barriers to their adoption?

Winter mortality in the UK is higher than in some colder European countries. How are deaths during winter monitored, and what evidence exists for interventions to prevent these deaths?

Winter mortality in the UK is higher than in some colder European countries. How are deaths during winter monitored, and what evidence exists for interventions to prevent these deaths?

The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill will aim to boost UK cyber resilience. How can cyber resilience be increased? What are the challenges and regulatory gaps?

The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill will aim to boost UK cyber resilience. How can cyber resilience be increased? What are the challenges and regulatory gaps?

Developments in aerial warfare have increased concerns about UK air defence. What are UK capabilities, and how can they be improved?

Developments in aerial warfare have increased concerns about UK air defence. What are UK capabilities, and how can they be improved?

Violence against women and girls is increasing, with online harms and abuse affecting girls at a higher rate than boys. What are the core challenges and opportunities in the UK?

Violence against women and girls is increasing, with online harms and abuse affecting girls at a higher rate than boys. What are the core challenges and opportunities in the UK?

Electromagnetic radiation (“spectrum”) is essential for modern warfare. What challenges and opportunities does electromagnetic warfare present to the UK?

Electromagnetic radiation (“spectrum”) is essential for modern warfare. What challenges and opportunities does electromagnetic warfare present to the UK?

This POSTnote describes regenerative agriculture, the evidence for beneficial outcomes, and outlines the challenges and opportunities for its wider adoption.

This POSTnote describes regenerative agriculture, the evidence for beneficial outcomes, and outlines the challenges and opportunities for its wider adoption.

This POSTnote summarises debates on regulatory approaches for addressing the environmental impacts arising from per- and poly- fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

This POSTnote summarises debates on regulatory approaches for addressing the environmental impacts arising from per- and poly- fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) are important for the UK’s economic future. How can the routes through education and into STEM be improved?

Science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) are important for the UK’s economic future. How can the routes through education and into STEM be improved?

This POSTnote considers the potential impacts of birthrate decline, including on the workforce and the provision of public services.

This POSTnote considers the potential impacts of birthrate decline, including on the workforce and the provision of public services.

This POSTnote summarises the potential benefits, barriers, and negative consequences of digital transformation in central and local government.

This POSTnote summarises the potential benefits, barriers, and negative consequences of digital transformation in central and local government.

Virtual wards aim to provide hospital level healthcare in patients' homes. What are the opportunities and risks for patients, carers and the NHS?

Virtual wards aim to provide hospital level healthcare in patients' homes. What are the opportunities and risks for patients, carers and the NHS?

New ways to control very small objects have led to potentially transformative technologies like quantum computing. What are the benefits of these new quantum technologies, and what are the risks?

New ways to control very small objects have led to potentially transformative technologies like quantum computing. What are the benefits of these new quantum technologies, and what are the risks?

Research has linked wearable devices with the prevention, detection and mitigation of disease. What are the public health benefits and what are the risks?

Research has linked wearable devices with the prevention, detection and mitigation of disease. What are the public health benefits and what are the risks?

This POSTnote summarises the challenges and opportunities relating to the production, regulation and consumption of cultivated meat, also known as 'lab grown' meat.

This POSTnote summarises the challenges and opportunities relating to the production, regulation and consumption of cultivated meat, also known as 'lab grown' meat.

This POSTnote analyses evidence relating to the wellbeing of children in mainstream schools, the impacts of low wellbeing, and types of practice for improving wellbeing.

This POSTnote analyses evidence relating to the wellbeing of children in mainstream schools, the impacts of low wellbeing, and types of practice for improving wellbeing.

This POSTnote summarises the ethical implications and regulatory considerations for deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI) in mental healthcare.

This POSTnote summarises the ethical implications and regulatory considerations for deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI) in mental healthcare.

This POSTnote summarises the opportunities and delivery considerations for deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI) in mental healthcare.

This POSTnote summarises the opportunities and delivery considerations for deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI) in mental healthcare.

This POSTnote outlines the challenges and opportunities for the English planning system and related policies to deliver net zero infrastructure and services.

This POSTnote outlines the challenges and opportunities for the English planning system and related policies to deliver net zero infrastructure and services.

This POSTnote summarises the current and emerging applications of AI and ML in the energy system, barriers to wider implementation, the challenges likely to be encountered, and policy considerations proposed by sector stakeholders.

This POSTnote summarises the current and emerging applications of AI and ML in the energy system, barriers to wider implementation, the challenges likely to be encountered, and policy considerations proposed by sector stakeholders.

6G is the next generation of mobile technology and is yet to be fully defined. How can the UK help define 6G, and develop and implement 6G technologies?

6G is the next generation of mobile technology and is yet to be fully defined. How can the UK help define 6G, and develop and implement 6G technologies?

This POSTnote considers support available for neurodivergent children and young people in healthcare and education, and barriers to accessing that support.

This POSTnote considers support available for neurodivergent children and young people in healthcare and education, and barriers to accessing that support.

This POSTnote examines the relationship between debt and mental health, alongside risk factors and policy considerations for support and interventions.

This POSTnote examines the relationship between debt and mental health, alongside risk factors and policy considerations for support and interventions.

Biometric data is a type of personal information that allows the unique identification of a person. This POSTnote outlines the benefits and risks of using biometric data in society.

Biometric data is a type of personal information that allows the unique identification of a person. This POSTnote outlines the benefits and risks of using biometric data in society.

This POSTnote outlines policy considerations for addressing housing insecurity, including evidence-based analysis of issues related to the Renters’ Rights Bill.

This POSTnote outlines policy considerations for addressing housing insecurity, including evidence-based analysis of issues related to the Renters’ Rights Bill.

This POSTnote outlines the extent and nature of housing insecurity in the private rented sector, and outlines risk factors and impacts on tenants and landlords.

This POSTnote outlines the extent and nature of housing insecurity in the private rented sector, and outlines risk factors and impacts on tenants and landlords.

This POSTnote outlines the mandatory biodiversity net gain policy introduced in England in 2024 and the risks and challenges for delivering its objectives.

This POSTnote outlines the mandatory biodiversity net gain policy introduced in England in 2024 and the risks and challenges for delivering its objectives.

This POSTnote examines trends and patterns in trust in news providers, factors associated with trust, and areas for consideration in the debate about how to improve trust.

This POSTnote examines trends and patterns in trust in news providers, factors associated with trust, and areas for consideration in the debate about how to improve trust.

This POSTnote outlines the benefits and challenges of using enhanced rock weathering as a GGR approach for addressing emissions from UK hard-to-abate sectors.

This POSTnote outlines the benefits and challenges of using enhanced rock weathering as a GGR approach for addressing emissions from UK hard-to-abate sectors.

This briefing outlines motivational reasons for not being online or using digital devices, and how this can contribute to digital exclusion and other forms of inequality.

This briefing outlines motivational reasons for not being online or using digital devices, and how this can contribute to digital exclusion and other forms of inequality.

A POSTnote summarising what changes in approaches to UK plastic waste management maybe required if ambitious internationally legally binding targets are agreed.

A POSTnote summarising what changes in approaches to UK plastic waste management maybe required if ambitious internationally legally binding targets are agreed.

A POSTnote summarising proposed reforms to the Mental Health Act 1983, including research evidence and stakeholder views on the impacts on autistic people and people with a learning disability.

A POSTnote summarising proposed reforms to the Mental Health Act 1983, including research evidence and stakeholder views on the impacts on autistic people and people with a learning disability.

This POSTnote summarises the effects of heat on public health. It describes risk factors that make some people more likely to experience health impacts, outlines current policies and stakeholder perspectives.

This POSTnote summarises the effects of heat on public health. It describes risk factors that make some people more likely to experience health impacts, outlines current policies and stakeholder perspectives.

This POSTnote outlines applications of semiconductor chips. It gives an overview of the supply chain, the UK’s semiconductor industry, vulnerabilities to the supply chain and policy considerations for improving supply chain resilience.

This POSTnote outlines applications of semiconductor chips. It gives an overview of the supply chain, the UK’s semiconductor industry, vulnerabilities to the supply chain and policy considerations for improving supply chain resilience.

This POSTnote outlines the social and psychological factors affecting risk and impact of fraud against individuals, and policy implications for victim support and prevention.

This POSTnote outlines the social and psychological factors affecting risk and impact of fraud against individuals, and policy implications for victim support and prevention.

This briefing explains how and why disinformation is spread. It evaluates real-world impact and outlines counter-initiatives and policy considerations.

This briefing explains how and why disinformation is spread. It evaluates real-world impact and outlines counter-initiatives and policy considerations.

This POSTnote summarises associations between diet, nutrition and cancer. It describes the dietary and nutritional factors associated with cancer risk, and interventions for cancer prevention.

This POSTnote summarises associations between diet, nutrition and cancer. It describes the dietary and nutritional factors associated with cancer risk, and interventions for cancer prevention.

This POSTnote summarises wildfire threats and management in the UK, and outlines options for increasing the resilience of UK landscapes and habitats to wildfire.

This POSTnote summarises wildfire threats and management in the UK, and outlines options for increasing the resilience of UK landscapes and habitats to wildfire.

This POSTnote summarises the emerging technology of human stem cell-based embryo models, discussions around their regulation and their wider ethical and societal implications. It introduces the scientific background and the potential applications of the models, outlines the challenges and opportunities in introducing their regulation and discusses stakeholder initiatives to address regulatory gaps.

This POSTnote summarises the emerging technology of human stem cell-based embryo models, discussions around their regulation and their wider ethical and societal implications. It introduces the scientific background and the potential applications of the models, outlines the challenges and opportunities in introducing their regulation and discusses stakeholder initiatives to address...

This POSTnote summarises the developments in demand side response, evidence of its potential contribution to the decarbonisation of the power system, and the technical barriers associated to this tool.

This POSTnote summarises the developments in demand side response, evidence of its potential contribution to the decarbonisation of the power system, and the technical barriers associated to this tool.

This POSTnote summarises the challenges and options for enabling and encouraging of low-carbon actions by individuals in sectors with the highest emissions.

This POSTnote summarises the challenges and options for enabling and encouraging of low-carbon actions by individuals in sectors with the highest emissions.

This POSTnote summarises the challenges affecting the integrity of carbon credits traded on voluntary carbon markets and outlines options for addressing these.

This POSTnote summarises the challenges affecting the integrity of carbon credits traded on voluntary carbon markets and outlines options for addressing these.

This POSTnote considers how artificial intelligence (AI) technologies can be used by educators and learners in schools, colleges and universities.

This POSTnote considers how artificial intelligence (AI) technologies can be used by educators and learners in schools, colleges and universities.

This briefing outlines what green skills are, why they are important for net zero, challenges and opportunities for skills development and related policy issues.

This briefing outlines what green skills are, why they are important for net zero, challenges and opportunities for skills development and related policy issues.

This POSTnote summarises environmental and economic concerns arising from fertiliser use and the mitigation opportunities via diversification and innovation.

This POSTnote summarises environmental and economic concerns arising from fertiliser use and the mitigation opportunities via diversification and innovation.

This briefing outlines the evidence relating to the restoration of freshwater habitats in the UK and the key challenges to delivering this.

This briefing outlines the evidence relating to the restoration of freshwater habitats in the UK and the key challenges to delivering this.

This POSTnote provides an overview of the potential policy issues that AI raises. These include economic and societal benefits, and risks, such as relating to privacy, intellectual property and disinformation. It also outlines the current regulatory landscape and potential future regulations.

This POSTnote provides an overview of the potential policy issues that AI raises. These include economic and societal benefits, and risks, such as relating to privacy, intellectual property and disinformation. It also outlines the current regulatory landscape and potential future regulations.

This POSTnote summarises the multiple challenges facing the horticulture sector, the role of innovations in addressing these and the barriers to their adoption.

This POSTnote summarises the multiple challenges facing the horticulture sector, the role of innovations in addressing these and the barriers to their adoption.

This POSTnote considers transitions to meet environmental targets and how their costs and benefits for different members of society can be distributed fairly.

This POSTnote considers transitions to meet environmental targets and how their costs and benefits for different members of society can be distributed fairly.

A POSTnote looking at online advertising technologies, competition challenges, and potential technological approaches to address these issues.

A POSTnote looking at online advertising technologies, competition challenges, and potential technological approaches to address these issues.

This POSTnote summarises child food insecurity and Free School Meal initiatives in England, highlighting relevant research evidence and stakeholder perspectives.

This POSTnote summarises child food insecurity and Free School Meal initiatives in England, highlighting relevant research evidence and stakeholder perspectives.

This POSTnote considers the relatively new process of local area energy planning that aims to deliver net zero targets more effectively at the regional level.

This POSTnote considers the relatively new process of local area energy planning that aims to deliver net zero targets more effectively at the regional level.

This POSTnote describes environmental impact metrics for food systems, which are complex networks of decision-makers, natural processes and human activities.

This POSTnote describes environmental impact metrics for food systems, which are complex networks of decision-makers, natural processes and human activities.

This POSTnote summarises how the One Health approach can be used to tackle key impacts of climate change and threats to public health. It outlines the key features, challenges and opportunities of implementation. This briefing takes a global perspective on implementing the approach, with areas of focus on UK policy.

This POSTnote summarises how the One Health approach can be used to tackle key impacts of climate change and threats to public health. It outlines the key features, challenges and opportunities of implementation. This briefing takes a global perspective on implementing the approach, with areas of focus on UK policy.

This POSTnote outlines the key components of Problem-solving courts (PSC) and summarises the key outcomes of different PSC. It concludes with highlighting the opportunities and challenges to implementation of PSC across England and Wales.

This POSTnote outlines the key components of Problem-solving courts (PSC) and summarises the key outcomes of different PSC. It concludes with highlighting the opportunities and challenges to implementation of PSC across England and Wales.

This POSTnote considers advances in heat pump technology, their suitability for UK properties, barriers to deployment and government policy support mechanisms.

This POSTnote considers advances in heat pump technology, their suitability for UK properties, barriers to deployment and government policy support mechanisms.

This POSTnote looks at specialist data skills in the UK, including for artificial intelligence. It considers demand and supply, workforce demographics, challenges, and initiatives to increase supply.

This POSTnote looks at specialist data skills in the UK, including for artificial intelligence. It considers demand and supply, workforce demographics, challenges, and initiatives to increase supply.

POSTnote summarising the network of Marine Protected Areas and its components, and the designation of Highly Protected Marine Areas in English inshore and offshore waters.

POSTnote summarising the network of Marine Protected Areas and its components, and the designation of Highly Protected Marine Areas in English inshore and offshore waters.

This POSTnote looks at hypersonic missile technologies, efforts to develop them, potential applications, and the possible challenges they may present for missile defence and global stability.

This POSTnote looks at hypersonic missile technologies, efforts to develop them, potential applications, and the possible challenges they may present for missile defence and global stability.

A POSTnote summarising proposed reforms to the Mental Health Act (1983) to improve patient choice, highlighting relevant research evidence and stakeholder perspectives.

A POSTnote summarising proposed reforms to the Mental Health Act (1983) to improve patient choice, highlighting relevant research evidence and stakeholder perspectives.

This POSTnote analyses the present wholesale electricity market and proposals for reform of electricity market arrangements to support decarbonisation of the system by 2035.

This POSTnote analyses the present wholesale electricity market and proposals for reform of electricity market arrangements to support decarbonisation of the system by 2035.

This POSTnote summarises trends in levels of public trust in the police and research on barriers to trust in the police and approaches to increasing trust.

This POSTnote summarises trends in levels of public trust in the police and research on barriers to trust in the police and approaches to increasing trust.

Technology and data enabled opportunities are key priorities in the Department for Transport’s Future of Freight Plan. This POSTnote reviews digital technologies that support freight, including their impact on the labour force, potential environmental benefits and technical barriers.

Technology and data enabled opportunities are key priorities in the Department for Transport’s Future of Freight Plan. This POSTnote reviews digital technologies that support freight, including their impact on the labour force, potential environmental benefits and technical barriers.

Air pollution is the greatest UK environmental public health threat. This POSTnote updates the 2014 POSTnote on ambient air quality (PN 458) and describes air pollutants, their health impacts and measures to mitigate poor air quality.

Air pollution is the greatest UK environmental public health threat. This POSTnote updates the 2014 POSTnote on ambient air quality (PN 458) and describes air pollutants, their health impacts and measures to mitigate poor air quality.

Biomass can be used to produce bioenergy in the form of electricity, heat, biogas or transport fuels, or to produce materials and chemicals. The Climate Change Committee recommend dedicated energy crops and forest residues as future sources of domestic biomass. This POSTnote summarises the opportunities and challenges surrounding the expansion of UK biomass production.

Biomass can be used to produce bioenergy in the form of electricity, heat, biogas or transport fuels, or to produce materials and chemicals. The Climate Change Committee recommend dedicated energy crops and forest residues as future sources of domestic biomass. This POSTnote summarises the opportunities and challenges surrounding the expansion...

Disability occurs in many different forms. An invisible disability, or non-visible disability, is an impairment or health condition that is not immediately obvious. This POSTnote provides an overview of invisible disability in the UK. It outlines types of invisible disabilities and relevant legislation and policy. It also discusses the experiences of adults with invisible disabilities, and strategies aimed at increasing access and inclusion for adults with invisible disabilities, focusing on employment, and higher and further education.

Disability occurs in many different forms. An invisible disability, or non-visible disability, is an impairment or health condition that is not immediately obvious. This POSTnote provides an overview of invisible disability in the UK. It outlines types of invisible disabilities and relevant legislation and policy. It also discusses the experiences...

The UK’s energy system relies on the storage of fossil fuels to manage variations in supply and demand over varying timescales. As these are replaced to meet the net zero emissions target, new types of low-carbon, longer duration energy storage will be needed to provide secure energy supplies. This POSTnote examines different low-carbon storage technologies, their role in addressing future system needs, issues relating to scaling-up the technologies and Government strategy.

The UK’s energy system relies on the storage of fossil fuels to manage variations in supply and demand over varying timescales. As these are replaced to meet the net zero emissions target, new types of low-carbon, longer duration energy storage will be needed to provide secure energy supplies. This POSTnote...

Nuclear electricity is a predictable and low-carbon part of the UK energy mix, currently providing 15% of the UK’s electricity. However, most existing nuclear power stations are set to close by 2030. The Government has an ambition to increase production of nuclear energy. One new nuclear power station is under construction (Hinkley Point C) and another (Sizewell C) has received planning consent. This POSTnote reviews the evidence surrounding the construction of new nuclear power stations and the ways in which nuclear might contribute to emission reduction targets.

Nuclear electricity is a predictable and low-carbon part of the UK energy mix, currently providing 15% of the UK’s electricity. However, most existing nuclear power stations are set to close by 2030. The Government has an ambition to increase production of nuclear energy. One new nuclear power station is under...