Research Archives - Public First

Planning for Water: The Value of High Quality SuDS

A new report by Public First finds that delivering high-quality Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) for all homes projected to be built by 2029/30 would unlock significant environmental, social, and economic value.

New Polling for the Sutton Trust on SEND

Public First conducted polling of 4,000 parents in England, exploring in particular the issues facing parents of children with SEND, and how these varied by socio-economic status.

Unique new white working class education survey results published

The full scale of the challenge in transforming the life chances of white working class young people is set out in the findings of a unique new survey looking at attitudes to education among white working class parents and children.

Public First Polling for the Inquiry into White Working Class Educational Outcomes

Public First conducted polling of Secondary School students, and parents of school-aged children in the UK.

Counting the cost, part 2: Modelling the economic impact of a potential levy on international student fees at a constituency level

Public First has 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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sustainability Sentiment Tracker 2024/5

Today Public First launches the latest Sustainability Sentiment Tracker with 5 lessons for businesses in 2025.

PolEcon 2024: December Edition

In early December, Public First returned to the PolEcon conference to poll a new batch of sixth form Politics students.

Understanding the knowledge gap: public perceptions of UK universities

A new report by Public First, funded by the All-Party Parliamentary University Group, examines public attitudes to universities and higher education and their role in helping the UK meet its current and future challenges.

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.

Generative AI could save UK’s public sector up to £38 billion a year and significantly reduce waiting times

New research by Public First, commissioned by Google Cloud, reveals the potential of generative AI to provide a once in a generation opportunity to boost productivity, improve working conditions and enable new innovations across the UK’s public sector.

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