Policy area: Politics

Reports

After the fall: Why hasn’t falling immigration changed public attitudes?

This report from UK think tank British Future explores findings from the British Future immigration attitudes tracker. ‘After the fall: Why hasn’t falling immigration changes public attitudes?’ is the 2026 report from the British Future Immigration Attitudes Tracker, which has followed public attitudes to immigration for over a decade since 2015. The new research reveals...

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High housing costs in the private rental sector: The case for action

This report from UK think tank IPPR calls for a new system of rent stabilisation to cap excessive increases, linked to whichever is lower: inflation or wage growth. 45 per cent of all private renters in the UK have unaffordable rents. It's time for the government to act to limit rent increases. In the UK...

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European higher education in the 2020s

This report from UK think tank the Policy Institute brings together essays from leading higher education figures across Europe. Despite taking very different approaches to financing, higher education sectors across major European economies are experiencing the same underlying pressure. Universities have grown enormously since the 1950s, but public funding has not kept pace. The tools...

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Price caps and economic stability: How to manage the Iran war energy shock?

This report from UK think tank IPPR explores how a well-designed intervention that caps energy prices can limit inflation and insure against the worst outcomes. The Iran war energy shock will impose significant costs on the UK economy, even if the government does not offer a universal support package. As it drives up inflation, we...

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Improving government in Northern Ireland

This report from UK think tank the Constitution Unit calls for a debate on more effective politics in Northern Ireland. It has long been argued in Northern Ireland that the devolved institutions are failing to deliver effective public policy and services. In recent months, this criticism has intensified. This report, the fourth of this project...

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Where’s the demos in democracy?

This report from UK think tank the Institute of Development Studies demonstrates that democracy delivers development better than other regimes. Democracy is in crisis. Anti-democratic politicians and anti-rights movements are becoming more popular. Simultaneously, growing inequality around the world – a product of neoliberal capitalist societies – has left millions of people feeling left behind...

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Swiss role model? What the UK can learn from how Switzerland rebuilt public trust in its asylum system

This report from UK think tank the Social Market Foundation looks at the Swiss asylum reforms and key takeaways for the UK. The UK is suffering a downward spiral, with collapsing public confidence in the government’s ability to deliver an effective asylum system. This report investigates reforms to the Swiss asylum system designed to address...

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Harm, hardship, and the price of inaction

This report from UK think tank the Social Market Foundation examines the costs of Scotland’s drug crisis. Scotland has a drug problem. The issue is likely to be a key one in the upcoming Scottish elections. Questions of the costs of potential interventions, and how worthwhile they are, will be central to decisions made on...

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Vital institutions 01: Reform and renewal of the Equality and Human Rights Commission

This report from UK think tank the Future Governance Forum calls for the reform of the EHRC to strengthen equality and human rights protection for people living in the UK.  Our recommendations for how the Commission can restore its credibility include: being politically neutral, leading public debates in sensitive areas and making greater use of...

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Essays about the future: Scotland

This report from UK think tank Carnegie UK considers what kind of a country we want Scotland to be two decades from now. Moments of democratic choice provide an important opportunity to pause, look beyond immediate pressures, and reflect on the kind of future we want to build. Ahead of this year’s election, Carnegie UK...

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Apathy and opposition: Understanding the real threats to net zero

This report from UK think tank IPPR examines the threats to climate action. Climate action is under siege from populist and far-right actors. Delivering under that pressure demands fresh confidence and commitment from government. Watering down ambition offers no electoral advantage; a strong, progressive agenda on climate action remains broadly popular with the public. Elite...

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Preparing for populism

This report from UK think tank HEPI encourages universities to engage across the political spectrum, including with parties sceptical of higher education. Prepare for populism: Universities need to rebuild their legitimacy with all major parties and the public as they head into a tougher political era. In Preparing for Populism (HEPI Debate Paper 44), Professor...

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Adapt or die: Why progressives need to deal with extreme weather

This report from UK think tank IPPR makes the case for why progressives need to deal with extreme weather. The impacts of extreme weather are already directly affecting people and communities across the UK. We lack ways to deal with this. Without a serious rethink, we will lose any reputation for competence and leave an...

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Student loan reform: weighing the trade-offs

This report from UK think tank IPPR outlines the pros and cons of various policy options for student loan reform. Millions of graduates are paying more for longer as frozen thresholds and high interest rates bite, leaving ministers with tough choices on how to deliver meaningful, targeted relief. This report outlines the pros and cons...

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Not my priority; how the public sees social care (and what can be done about it)

This report from UK think tank The King's Fund explores why public opinion and attitudes towards social care are a key barrier to change. Without adult social care support, a full life would be impossible for many people. It helps people carry out basic tasks such as washing, dressing and eating but also, for some...

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Related Events

22 June 2026

Location: Online / Chatham House, 10 St James's Square, London SW1Y 4LE

Think tank: Chatham House

Brexit 10 years on: Michel Barnier and the future of UK-EU relations

This event hosted by UK think tank Chatham House assesses a decade of change and the future of EU-UK relations. A decade after the Brexit vote, UK-EU relations are entering a new phase marked by friendly yet cautious engagement. Ongoing disputes over trade, regulation and mobility continue to test progress. These pressures frame efforts to...

23 June 2026

Location: Online

Think tank: Carnegie UK

Rebuilding trust in politics and government in 2026

This event hosted by UK think tank Carnegie UK discusses rebuilding public trust and confidence in politics and government. Join Carnegie UK on Tuesday 23 June at 10.30am for our webinar, ‘Rebuilding trust in politics and government in 2026‘, featuring Professor Oliver Escobar (University of Edinburgh), Miriam Levin (Demos) and Adam Lang (Carnegie UK). Public...

24 June 2026

Location: online

Think tank: The Constitution Unit

The constitution under Labour: Constitution Unit conference 2026 – Day 1

This event hosted by UK think tank the Constitution Unit takes stock of recent constitutional developments. Labour took office two years ago promising change, including multiple reforms to the UK’s constitution and political institutions. As we near the halfway point of this parliament, how have those promises fared? What changes has the government actually made?...

25 June 2026

Location: Online

Think tank: The Constitution Unit

The constitution under Labour: Constitution Unit conference 2026 – Day 2

This event hosted by UK think tank the Constitution Unit will take stock of recent constitutional developments and look ahead. Day 2 – Thursday 25 June  10am – 11am: What next for standards in public life?  Improving standards in public life was a key plank of Labour’s promise to be different from its predecessors in...

25 June 2026

Location: Online / Institute for Government, 2 Carlton Gardens, London SW1Y 5AA

Think tank: Institute for Government

Book launch: The Brexit effect, 2016–2026

This event hosted by UK think tank the Institute for Government launches a collection of over 30 essays on the impact of the referendum. The Brexit Effect, edited by Sir Anthony Seldon, is a collection of over 30 essays on the impact of the referendum on whether the UK should stay in or leave the...

7 July 2026

Location: Adam Smith Institute, 23 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3DJ

Think tank: Adam Smith Institute

The Next Generation with Denys Demko

This event hosted by UK think tank the Adam Smith Institute discusses Ukraine as a key defence innovation partner for the UK. ​This month, we are thrilled to welcome Denys Demko, Economic Secretary at the Embassy of Ukraine in the UK. Denys is a seasoned diplomat, having served as an advisor to the Deputy Secretary...

9 July 2026

Location: Online

Think tank: Bright Blue

Ludgate Lecture with Professor Tony Travers

This event hosted by UK think tank Bright Blue discusses 'How will Reform UK govern locally?'. We are delighted to invite you to join our next Ludgate Lecture, a series where we hear from prominent thinkers and decision makers on the biggest issues of our time. For our next event, we will be hosting Professor Tony...

9 July 2026

Location: Online

Think tank: Bright Blue

Ludgate Lecture with Professor Tony Travers

This event hosted by UK think tank Bright Blue discusss how will Reform UK govern locally?. We are delighted to invite you to join our next Ludgate Lecture, a series where we hear from prominent thinkers and decision makers on the biggest issues of our time. For our next event, we will be hosting Professor Tony...