‘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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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  

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Teachers need urgent support to tackle conspiracy theories in the classroom, landmark study finds.

Children in primary schools should be taught to recognise and resist online misinformation and conspiracy theories, according to a landmark study.    

Unlocking AI’s potential for Union workers

AI has the potential to transform workplaces across the UK, driving productivity and efficiency gains worth billions. But for many unionised workers, AI remains an unfamiliar tool—one they rarely use or see as relevant to their jobs.

Public First research used by Chancellor to drive new OxCam growth strategy

Public First’s research for the OxCam supercluster found that the region, which spans Cambridge, Milton Keynes and Oxford, has an almost unrivalled per capita performance - in patents, scientific publications, human capital, start-up quality.

Lessons from the ground: our immersive research in 2024

A look at some of the key lessons we have learned from our immersive research in 2024

How Would We Know If Democracy Had Died?

Public First worked with BBC Radio 4 on a war game to see how young voters would respond to a national crisis if they were the Cabinet.

When Reality and Perception Match (…or Don’t)

New polling from Public First shows that the public’s views on the quality of their local public services do reflect local realities, though it varies by the service.

The Shoplifting Capital of England

New research by the policy consultancy Public First highlights the scale of the shoplifting crisis facing retailers across the country - and the hotspots where the problem has become most acute. 

Nothing Happens In Isolation

Commissioned by Mission 44, Public First conducted research into the challenge of increasing exclusions in state schools to understand the views of students, parents, and teachers alike.

Focus Group with the New Statesman: Perceptions of the Labour Government

This week, Public First held a focus group for the New Statesman with 10 working-class voters in the Tudor Rose pub in Sittingbourne. 

Save the Children – Child Lock Campaign

New economic modelling and focus groups for Save the Children’s child poverty campaign

New partnership with The Wellbeing Hub to support the ongoing with of the Coalition for Youth Mental Health in Schools

The Wellbeing Hub from Teen Tips Ltd has partnered with Public First to support the ongoing work of the Coalition for Youth Mental Health in Schools. We are supporting the Coalition and The Wellbeing Hub to provide expertise, insight, support, and possible solutions to the mental health crisis in schools.

The case for inclusive planning

Public First has worked with Leeds Building Society to explore how the planning system could be reformed to better represent broader public opinion rather than vocal minorities.

New Polling on Foreign Direct Investment into Britain

Public First conducted polling on Foreign Direct Investment into Britain in advance of the Government's Investment Summit. We asked respondents a series of questions about their views towards foreign investments, the perceived benefits of FDI, and whether they think Britain's position as an investment destination is improving or deteriorating.

What the UK public thinks about Opera

Public First has published the results of research, commissioned by the Laidlaw Opera Trust, looking into UK public attitudes towards opera.

Immersive Research with the Telegraph: Perceptions of the Government two months after the Election

Public First conducted immersive research for the Telegraph - speaking to voters in Hitchin about their perceptions of the Labour Party two months after the General Election.

Tomorrow’s teachers: A roadmap to get Gen Z into the classroom

New polling for Teach First explores Gen Z attitudes to teaching.

Santander Key Growth Markets

New report for Santander explores the future of the UK as a global trading partner

What Would a Kamala Harris Presidency Mean for Tech Policy?

Understanding how a Harris presidency could shape the digital landscape requires looking at her career “in the context” of the Internet’s evolution, her rise in public office, and (most importantly) how her plans align with the electorate’s wishes.

The Pub and the People – Immersive Research Study

Public First immersive research study of 11 pubs in Bolton, Greater Manchester over five days in November 2023

Saving Generation Z: How 16 – 27 year olds save and spend

New Public First research for Yorkshire Building Society on how Generation Z save and spend.

Public First Government Missions Tracker

The Public First team is tracking all key policy announcements made by the Government relevant to its 5 missions

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.

Institution Overboard: New Public First report calls for £2.5bn government fund to stop universities going under

New Public First report calls for £2.5bn government fund to stop universities going under

Public First supports new AI skills pilot programme from Google

Today, Google launches a new pilot programme, AI Works, to support and empower workers to use AI tools by giving them the skills, confidence and contextual knowledge to integrate AI into their working lives.  Public First is proud to support this initiative, helping provide the research base on which the programme is built.

Upgrade: How to deliver better homes by 2030

Public First conducted opinion research in support of the Home Upgrade Commission, looking into public awareness of and support for improving the energy efficiency of their homes.

Young people’s perceptions of careers in the pharmaceutical industry – The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry

Public First has conducted research into young people's perceptions of careers in the pharmaceutical industry.

Exploring Political Sentiment in Newark: An Immersive Study

In collaboration with The Times newspaper, Public First ran an immersive research study in the constituency of Newark where we spoke to residents over a two-day period (24th-25th June) during the 2024 general election.

Great British Energy: From pledge to reality

Great British Energy: From pledge to reality is a Public First report, commissioned by RenewableUK.