Failure to lead
Think tank: Social Market Foundation
Author(s): Aveek Bhattacharya; Lauren Gilbert; Lee Crawfurd
February 19, 2026
This report from UK think tank the Social Market Foundation makes the case for a UK lead screening programme.
This briefing examines the scale of lead exposure among children in the UK and finds that current systems are failing to identify and prevent harm.
Weak surveillance means the true extent of the problem is unknown, despite strong evidence of serious and lasting impacts on health and life chances.
The authors make the case for urgent action, including the introduction of a national screening programme.
