Research Archives - Public First

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.

New polling on Labour’s policy to end North Sea oil and gas licensing

Public First carried out a large-scale, nationally representative poll for Uplift to understand the British business leaders attitudes towards the Government's policy to end North Sea oil and gas licensing.

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.

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

Primark’s impact on the UK economy and communities

Public First has worked with Primark to measure their impact in the UK, where they have over 190 stores across our towns and cities.

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.

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.

New Polling for the IHPN

Public First conducted a Nationally Representative poll for the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN), which features in the 2024 Going Private report.

Student polling for the International Baccalaureate

Public First has today published the findings from a survey carried out for the International Baccalaureate (IB) of its students around the world.

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

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.

The Planning Premium: The Value of Well-made Places

Public First today publishes a new analysis of the potential economic impact of successful planning on the quality, desirability and volume of new housing developments.

Public First’s pub focus group with the Telegraph: ‘Farage is right – nothing works anymore’

This week, Public First held a focus group for The Telegraph - speaking to members of the public in Wolverhampton about the upcoming general election.

Public Attitudes to Opera – Laidlaw Opera Trust

Today, we release a preliminary report on some of the most interesting findings from our research into public attitudes to Opera, which we have been working on with the Laidlaw Opera Trust.

Delivering the Goods with DoorDash: 2023

Public First has produced a new report on the impact of DoorDash in the United States in 2023. The report highlights the role of DoorDash in providing flexible earning opportunities for ‘Dashers’, in helping merchants like restaurants or grocers grow their businesses, and in enhancing the choice and convenience of consumers.

Public First research into the university student experience – Student Futures 2

New research for the UPP Foundation Student Futures Commission highlights the affordability crisis for students and the impact on engagement.

Mind the Gap: Exploring Britain’s energy crunch

New report from Public First presents a practical route forward for keeping the UK’s energy system secure.

New Business Sector Polling for Google on AI

Public First carried out polling of senior decision makers across the EU, in a range of sectors, on the impact they anticipate from increased AI availability in their sector and how they have already used it if at all.

Schools warn pupils are being let down by delays to accessing mental health services

School leaders from some of the most high-profile state and independent schools in the country have warned that vulnerable children are being let down because of delays in being able to access mental health services.

Parents and teachers want a more transparent, well rounded and less high stakes accountability system in schools

Parents and teachers want Ofsted inspections and the school accountability system to be more transparent, well-rounded, and less high-stakes, a major new report into public support for education reform has found.

New Polling on Research & Development

Public First carried out new polling for the Campaign for Science & Engineering (CaSE).

New report on young people’s attitudes to jobs in the green economy for The Prince’s Trust

Young people’s lack of awareness of and interest in green jobs presents a serious risk to the UK meeting its ambitious Net Zero targets, which depend on training and retraining hundreds of thousands of workers.

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.

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