The Success of Free Schools - Legacy Report

The free school programme is one of the most radical and impactful education policy reforms of the last thirty years. Public First gathered insights from school founders, former Ministers and thought leaders in education to analyse the legacy of the programme so far and make recommendations for its future.

There has been a profound shift in parental attitudes to full-time school attendance since the Covid pandemic, a Public First report has found. Researchers undertook focus group conversations with parents across the country, from all backgrounds, to find out for the first time what's driving the sudden drop in school attendance.

Grid Decarbonisation Report

In our report, we argue that preparing the network for decarbonisation by 2030 is not impossible – merely very difficult – and that it presents an ambitious goal for industry and the public to rally behind. Significant political leadership, policy change and follow-through on promises will be required.

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Public First is a public policy consultancy offering solutions to complex policy problems faced by clients. We are a boutique, high end organisation that works in a few distinct areas of specialism and offers unparalleled expertise within these areas.
Put simply, we put intellectual energy behind solving some of the trickiest economic and social problems in the UK today. And we want you to join us.

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Public Attitudes to Tuition Fees

Public First has published the findings of its landmark study into public attitudes to tuition fees. We polled 8000 adults in England, followed up by eight focus groups across the country, with the aim of working out whether Labour was right to change its position on abolishing fees – and to work out what might come next.

Google's Impact in the EU

In this new report, we explore Google’s economic impact across the EU and its potential to grow in the future, supporting the EU in achieving its Digital Decade goals, boosting economic competitiveness and taking advantage of the opportunities of AI.

Hybrid Work Commission Report

Led by Public First, the Commission on Hybrid and Remote Work was set up to examine and make recommendations on how the UK Government can respond to the rise in hybrid and remote working to the advantage of people, communities, and the broader UK economy. This report summarises our latest findings.

Exploring 'Bregret'

Public First and UK in a Changing Europe decided to talk to Leave voters directly. In a survey carried out in May and June 2023, and through a series of focus groups held between May and September, we posed questions to these voters about Brexit: how it has gone, whether they have changed their minds and what they think the future holds. This report details our findings.

Climate Adaptation Report

In our report for the National Trust, Public First found that 23% of the British public say that climate change has already had an impact on them personally–and only 4% believe that the country is well prepared for the impacts of climate change.

Public First is a policy, research, opinion and strategy consultancy. We work with global companies, governments, start ups, institutions and foundations around the world to tackle major public policy and strategic challenges.

We are a company partner of the Market Research Society and members of the British Polling Council.

Our team have advised Prime Ministers, C-Suite Executives, successful entrepreneurs. More importantly, our work is rooted in an understanding of real people in real communities. We test public opinion and attitudes across the globe and link that to effective public policy.

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