All Posts - Public First

The Social Value of Tourism

New research published today by VisitEngland demonstrates the positive cultural and social impacts that tourism has on local communities across the UK.

From risk to resilience: The case for flood-resilient communities, economy and growth

From risk to resilience: The case for flood-resilient communities, economy and growth sets out new Public First economic and opinion research on the impact of flooding with immediate recommendations for policymakers.

Sky’s Attention Index: How we watch and connect.

A new report from Sky and Public First reveals what is grabbing our attention in today's information-rich world.

Unlocking the UK’s AI Potential: Harnessing AI for Economic Growth

Today, Public First publishes new research commissioned by Microsoft examining how the UK can harness AI to power economic growth. Using a combination of new economic modelling and an extensive survey of over 1,000 senior business decision makers in the UK we explored the opportunities created by digital technology for the UK, the supporting investments that will be needed to realise these opportunities and the current barriers to adoption.

Hybrid Work Commission – New Research

Led by Public First, the Commission on Hybrid and Remote Work was set up to examine the rise in hybrid and remote working 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.

‘There’s a lot of history here’: Local history, local heritage and local pride, in Coventry and across the UK

A new Public First report for the National Trust looks at how our local and national history and heritage - the stories we tell about ourselves and the historic buildings and landscapes we see around us - play a role in shaping how people feel about themselves and their communities.

Port Talbot Immersive Research: A Job for Life

Public First carried out an extended immersive research study in Port Talbot in December 2024. Researchers spent a week living in the town, engaging with residents in an attempt to understand how the recent closure of the steelworks’ last blast furnace- as well as decades of uncertainty - has impacted them. This report, A Job for Life, summarises findings from that research.

New Polling for the Howard League for Penal Reform

New polling for the Howard League for Penal Reform focused in particular on identifying and understanding the views of those who are most hostile to sentencing reform and the increased use of community sentences to understand the views of those who are hardest to persuade, and to investigate what messages and arguments they find most persuasive.

The economic opportunity in West Midlands

New economic modelling shows the economic potential of the West Midlands

The AI Opportunity in Asia Pacific

AI is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform economic growth, innovation and scientific progress. In a new major project commissioned by Google, we’ve worked to explore in more depth the range of opportunities AI creates for countries across the Asia-Pacific region - and steps Governments can take to maximise them. Today, we’re publishing the first output of the research: a summary of some of the opportunities shared across the region.

Saving the British Dream: Investing in First Time Buyers for Economic Renewal

A new Public First report finds that supporting more young people to afford their first home is fundamental to boosting housebuilding rates and reducing generational inequalities.

Widespread public support for government action to reduce child poverty, new research shows

Public First conducted opinion research looking into attitudes towards the two-child benefit cap and related messaging that resonate with the public. Our baseline findings show that there is widespread public support for government intervention to reduce child poverty. 89% agreed that no child in the UK should live in poverty and 74% agreed that national government has a role to play in reducing child poverty.

New polling for CPAG on child poverty in the UK

New polling found that the public supports government action on reducing child poverty.

Why building more homes of all types helps first time buyers

New Public First research finds the best approach to making homes more affordable is to build more higher value homes as part of a wider policy of building more homes of all types and sizes.

POLITICO-Public First Polling on the UK-US Trade Deal

Public First worked with POLITICO, polling adults in the UK and the US on attitudes towards a UK and US trade deal.

Global talent, local growth: the export and jobs benefit of international students in the UK

New Public First analysis explores the export and jobs benefits of international students in the UK

New Polling for Action on Smoking and Health

Public First carried out a large-scale, nationally representative poll for Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) to explore public attitudes toward government intervention in public health, with a focus on tobacco, alcohol, and unhealthy food and drink.

Unlocking the £200 Billion AI Opportunity

Our new report from Google and Public First, AI Works, explores how targeted, practical training can dramatically boost adoption and unlock productivity benefits right across the economy.

New Polling for the Youth Mental Health Coalition in Schools

Public First carried out a large-scale, nationally representative poll for the Youth Mental Health Coalition in Schools to explore young people’s experiences of mental health and wellbeing in the UK education system.

New Polling for the Institute For Public Policy Research

Public First carried out a large-scale, nationally representative poll for IPPR to explore attitudes towards public health.

The Health Mandate: What voters really think about health and the role of government

The Health Mandate is a major new report from Public First and IPPR. It shows that the public’s concern about the nation’s health goes far beyond access to NHS services and deep into the social and economic pressures shaping everyday life.

Green Shoots and Grass Roots: Coalition for Youth Mental Health in Schools Phase 3

Teenage mental health could be on the mend, as new research reveals a sharp decline in distress and signs of recovery from the pandemic’s impact.

How National Development Management Policies Can Boost Economic Growth

To boost economic growth and housebuilding rates over the next few years, the Government should use its existing planning powers to set clearer rules for development.

New research exposes extent of regional gaps in higher education aspirations

Past lessons, future vision – evolving state-funded tutoring for the future

A new report released today by Public First sets out a blueprint for a successful state-funded tutoring provision, following a comprehensive and critical review of the lessons learned from the National Tutoring Programme (NTP) and 16-19 Tuition Fund.

Polling for Sky Attention Index, July – December 2024

Public First conducted new polling for Sky in December 2024 as part of Sky's bi-annual Attention Index designed to review how viewers are transforming the TV landscape based on their content preferences and what's available across different technologies and streaming platforms.

Polling for Transform Justice

At the end of 2024, Public First conducted opinion research for Transform Justice on public attitudes towards out-of-court resolutions and the criminal records system. We ran three anonymous, online polls targeting a national representative sample of the UK, victims, and people with protected characteristics.

Polling of UK public attitudes to local energy development

Public First conducted polling for the Labour Climate and Environment Forum (LCEF) in March 2024. We asked respondents across 23 constituencies a series of questions about their views on local development projects and arguments for and against them.

New Polling for the Startup Coalition

Public First conducted polling for the Startup Coalition as part of our monthly omnibus poll. We asked respondents a series of questions about their experiences and preferences when using online marketplace platforms.

Public First joins Stonehaven Group to bolster international economics and policy expansion

Public First has agreed to join Stonehaven Global Holdings ltd (‘SHGH’) to help turbocharge its international reach.

Defence, debt, and difficult decisions — new polling published today in the FT

As the Chancellor stares down the barrel of a tough Spring Statement, Public First and consultancy Stonehaven have been running a major new research project called The Era of Hard Choices.

Who’s Using AI at Work?

AI-powered tools have the potential to transform workplaces, but our research shows that their adoption is far from uniform.

Polling for the Publishers Association

Public First conducted new polling for the Publishers Association from 7 February to 13 February 2025, exploring respondents views towards the British publishing industry, UK literature, and its role on the country's soft power.

Polling for techUK on the UK Tech Sector

We conducted polling for TechUK exploring the views of the tech sector on the strength of the UK economy, and the UK's relative position in the world.

Digital Nomads – How many, why and does it matter?

To research the digital nomad trend Public First combined polling, modelling, and a new approach to opinion research - ‘immersive’ research.

Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods

Public First worked with the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods to conduct opinion research around public attitudes to the state of the neighbourhoods.

How Young People Feel About Careers in News and Sport Media

New polling shows that 52% of young people are interested in a career in news and sport media

Private capital and the UK’s productivity gap

New analysis by Public First for BVCA shows how much bigger the UK's economy could be if all businesses matched the productivity growth of those backed by private capital.

Polling for Yondr on Phone Free Schools

Public First conducted two online surveys of adults (including a booster sample of parents) and secondary school teachers in England to better understand views towards phone free schools.

Polling on US Tariffs

Public First polling of 2,000 American voters looks at public attitudes to the use of tariffs as an economic policy tool.

New research on the case for water smart housing for EWSC

EWSC worked with Public First to explore the impact of water scarcity on housing and economic growth, as well as public perspectives around water reuse.

Gen Z Deep Dive with The Times

Public First worked with the Times to undertake qualitative research into the attitudes of Gen Z, looking at themes like war, pride in country, hybrid working and attitudes to drugs and alcohol.

Polling on Education Priorities in the Spending Review

New polling explores priorities ahead of the spending review

The trends that shaped the Paris AI Action Summit. And what comes next!

Behind the conclusions of the Paris AI Safety Summit were a number of trends that not only defined the outcome of the summit, but give us a preview of what the years ahead hold as Governments re-evaluate the global approach to AI Safety and governance.

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