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.

Boosting London homebuilding could add £40 billion a year to the UK economy by 2034

A new report by Public First finds that meeting London’s target of building 88,000 new homes a year would deliver a step change in economic growth - boosting productivity in the capital by 5.6% in the long term and raising the average Londoner’s take-home pay by £3,700.

Counting the cost: Modelling the economic impact of a potential levy on international student fees

Public First has published published the latest modelling on the impacts that a potential 6% levy on international student fees could have on international student demand for UK higher education

The Creative Engine: How Media & Entertainment Powers the UK’s Creative Economy

Public First has published research commissioned by the BBC on the economic impact of PSBs to the UK's creative sector, where the overall impact is £29bn in GVA to the economy

New Polling for The Richmond Project

Public First carried out a nationally representative poll for The Richmond Project to explore public attitudes, confidence and ability when it comes to the numbers that we use in daily life.

New Polling for Sky Sports

Public First carried out three large-scale, nationally representative polls for Sky Sports to explore how people across the UK play, watch and feel about sport, with a particular focus on the experiences of women and girls.

The Pennywell Fellowship: a new blueprint for civic collaboration with schools

The Pennywell Fellowship is a bold new initiative designed to transform opportunities for young people in Sunderland.

Listening to young people: new research on the attendance crisis in schools

Impetus and Public First publish groundbreaking new research on the attendance crisis in schools, from the perspective of pupils themselves.

Public First 2025 Reform and Labour Policy Tracker

With polls consistently showing that Reform UK is now the main challenger to the government, the Public First team is comparing the Labour Government’s programme with Reform UK’s positions, to understand the key dividing lines between the two parties.

Practising YIMBYs: Most people support development in practice as well as in principle

A new Public First report finds that people are likely to support new housing and other infrastructure development in practice as well as in theory – even if it’s often assumed otherwise.

Closing the fuel poverty gap: A plan for targeted energy support

A new Public First report for a coalition of major charities and a leading energy company examines how targeted bill support can better address energy affordability and tackle fuel poverty. The report presents novel economic analysis on how to design and implement a reformed Warm Home Discount for beyond 2026.

The Quiet Yes: Why Listening to the Majority Could Unlock Development

A new Public First report finds that a majority of Brits are in favour of local development, but their views often go unheard by decision makers. The research explores the real balance of public opinion on development, the profiles of those that instinctively support development ('YIMBYs') and those that instinctively oppose development ('NIMBYs'); and, what both groups think about development and the planning system.

New Polling for the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN)

New Polling for the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN).

New Polling for Maths Horizons on Financial Literacy

Public First conducted new polling of over 4,000 young people age 11-30 for Maths Horizons. The research and report explores young people's views on financial literacy, its role in the school curriculum, and what drives real financial confidence.

Education experts appointed to White Working-Class Educational Outcomes inquiry

Some of the highest profile names in education policy and politics will serve on the inquiry board of the Independent Inquiry into White Working-Class Educational Outcomes. The Inquiry is an investigation into what is and isn’t working for white working-class children and young people, and importantly, why. Critically, it will be grounded in the reality of schools, colleges, and communities and will seek to understand the views of teachers, leaders, communities, families, and children and young people themselves in order to explore why white working class young people persistently underperform in education.

New Polling for NESO

Public First carried out a large-scale, nationally representative poll for NESO to explore public attitudes towards home energy use and low-carbon heating, examining how people understand their current systems and the factors that shape decisions about future upgrades.

New Polling for Politico on Tariffs

Public First worked with POLITICO, polling adults in the US on attitudes towards tariffs and international trade.

Deep dives: a local perspective on social mobility

A report by Public First takes a 'deep dive' into public perceptions and experiences of social mobility for the Social Mobility Commission.

How large-scale events can trigger national pride across the UK

A new report produced by Public First and Spirit of 2012, explores how national events shape our sense of pride and identity.

Polling on Keir Starmer and the Labour Party

Public First conducted polling for The Daily Telegraph on Keir Starmer.

Polling for the Startup Coalition and Arden Strategies

Public First conducted polling for the Startup Coalition and Arden Strategies, ahead of the Progressive Tech Summit on 8th July 2025.

Calculating the positive impact of international students on domestic living standards in the UK

Data centre access and local economic growth: Public First research with NVIDIA shows how AI investments can drive growth across the UK

Poverty in Later Life: The state of public opinion

The focus of the research was to explore how far the public recognised poverty in later life as an important issue, and how far they think the UK Government should prioritise this group in policymaking.

Data centre access and local economic growth

Data centre access and local economic growth: Public First research with NVIDIA shows how AI investments can drive growth across the UK

The impact of water scarcity on the economy

A new Public First report for Water UK looks at the economic cost of water scarcity as a blocker on commercial development in England. In areas of the country, we are already seeing the limiting impacts of water scarcity on development; and with the commercial growth in water intensive industries, rising temperatures and population increase the problem is only growing. Insufficient water is putting breaks on the development that is so desperately needed for growth.

‘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.

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