Publications 2001

170 - e is for everything? Public policy and converging digital communications (pdf 239KB)
Four page POST report summary, December 2001
Full report (1 MB) (pdf 939KB)
One hundred and twenty page POST report, December 2001
The world of communications is changing rapidly. More than seven out of ten UK adults have mobile phones, over a third of households have home internet access and a similar proportion have digital television. These technologies are also beginning to 'converge', so users can receive similar services on a variety of devices. Setting policy in such a complex and evolving environment is difficult. Early in 2002, the Government plans to publish a draft Communications Bill. This would create a single communications regulator, OFCOM, merging current broadcasting and telecommunications regulators. This note is a summary of a longer report looking at the development of digital communications in the UK, considering the main policy issues and examining the implications of convergence for communications regulation.

These issues were also discussed at a POST seminar on 17 January 2002. Contributions from two of the speakers are available here:
Sir George Young Bt MP
Karen Thomson, CEO AOL UK

169 - Managing Flooding (pdf 476KB)
Four page POSTnote, December 2001
Up to 5 million people in the UK are at risk from river and coastal flooding. Annual average damage is estimated at around £800million. Recent severe flooding has led to suggestions that it is becoming more common and causing greater damage. While research continues on whether this trend is real, a number of possible causes are suggested: building on floodplains, alterations to river channels, changes in rainfall patterns and changes in agricultural and land management practice. Climate change is also predicted to increase flooding risk. This briefing outlines the policy and practice of managing river flooding, and examines how the response might be improved.

168 - MS Treatments & NICE (pdf 249KB)
Four page POSTnote, February 2002
Recent publicity about whether disease modifying drugs to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) should be available on the NHS has focused attention on the role of NICE (the National Institute for Clinical Excellence). NICE provides evidence-based guidance for the NHS, to ensure doctors use the most effective and affordable treatments. This briefing outlines how NICE evaluates clinical- and cost-effectiveness and examines the wider issues raised by health technology appraisal.

167 - Chemical Weapons (pdf 234KB)
Four page POSTnote, December 2001
Chemical weapons (CW) have been used in both military and terrorist actions. Recent events have led to increased concern about the potential for further CW use by terrorists. This briefing complements POSTnote 166 on Bio-terrorism and considers the nature of various chemical agents, international efforts to stop proliferation and UK preparedness for attacks.

166 - Bio-terrorism (pdf 237KB)
Four page POSTnote, November 2001
In the last 10 years, policymakers have become increasingly concerned over the threat of terrorist attack using biological weapons (BW). Recent anthrax attacks in the US have intensified those concerns. This briefing note outlines the nature of the various BW and their effectiveness, assesses which agents are most likely to be available and looks at UK plans to manage the consequences of BW attacks.

165 - Biometrics and Security (pdf 236KB)
Four page POSTnote, November 2001
Biometric technology identifies individuals automatically by using their biological or behavioural characteristics. It has a number of current and potential applications relating to national security and law enforcement, which are considered in this briefing. The emergency anti-terrorism bill, soon to be presented before Parliament, will include proposals that impact on the collection and sharing of biometric data by police and customs. This gives Parliamentarians the opportunity to discuss issues relating to the use of biometric technology

164 - Renewable Energy (pdf 241KB)
Four page POSTnote, October 2001
Generating electricity from renewable energy sources is a key part of the Government's strategy to tackle climate change and to develop business opportunities. It has set a target for 10% of all electricity to be generated from renewable sources by 2010. A Renewables Obligation (RO) Order, requiring electricity supply companies to sell electricity from renewable sources, will shortly be introduced into Parliament . Concerns have been expressed, however, that the target may not be met because of potential difficulties with the policy and its role in the wider electricity market. This briefing outlines the main renewable energy sources, the barriers to uptake, and the policies to stimulate their deployment. It specifically aims to help Parliamentarians in their consideration of the RO Order 2001. Also, this briefing accompanies a separate briefing on electricity networks ( POSTnote 163 (pdf 277KB)).

163 - UK Electricity Networks (pdf 277KB)
Four page POSTnote, October 2001
The Government wishes to increase the contribution of renewable electricity and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) to UK energy supplies. Much of this technology will be small-scale and situated close to where its output is used. The electricity output may be less predictable than from sources such as gas, coal-fired or nuclear power stations. The configuration, operation and regulation of current national electricity networks may therefore need modification. This briefing explores the regulatory, economic and technical implications arising. It accompanies a related but separate briefing on renewable energy ( POSTnote 164 (pdf 241KB)).

Also see report E-5 (pdf 1.9MB) (pdf 1.9MB) for a longer analysis of UK Electricity Networks.

162 - Health Benefits of Physical Activity (pdf 237KB)
Four page POSTnote, October 2001
Physical activity is widely accepted as being beneficial to health. However only a minority of the UK population achieves recommended levels of physical activity and levels have declined in recent years. This briefing describes the health benefits of physical activity, looks at trends in activity levels among the UK population and examines policy options for encouraging people to be physically active more frequently.

161 - Climate Change Policy Update (pdf 147KB)
Four page POSTnote, July 2001
The Kyoto Protocol aims to reduce emissions of 'greenhouse gases', the main sources of human-induced climate change. International negotiations resume in Bonn on 19th July 2001 to define the rules for implementing the Protocol. However, recent statements from the US Administration have heightened doubts over the prospects for agreement at Bonn. This briefing summarises the latest scientific assessment of climate change, the issues to be resolved in Bonn, and the implications for future policy.

160 - Access to Medicines in the Developing World (pdf 149KB)
Four page POSTnote, July 2001
Access to pharmaceuticals, such as anti-HIV drugs, in the developing world has attracted much recent attention. It was discussed by the Council of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in June 2001 and has been the subject of trade disputes, a high profile legal case, and campaigns by charities such as Oxfam. This briefing outlines the international intellectual property (IP) regime and examines options through which developing countries can access effective treatments.

159 - Regulating Internet Content (pdf 146KB)
Four page POSTnote, June 2001
Concerns over the nature of some publicly available material on the internet have led to calls for stricter regulation. Opponents point to the technical and legal difficulties of regulation in a global and unlicensed environment, as well as disquiet over restraining trade and personal liberty. The recent Communications White Paper included no plans to introduce statutory internet content regulation, but the remit of the new communications regulator (Ofcom) would cover internet content. This note considers options for regulation and examines Government policy in this area.

158 - Reducing Radon Risks in the Home (pdf 153KB)
Four page POSTnote, June 2001
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas found in rocks and soils that can cause lung cancer. Around 100,000 homes across the country are thought to be at particular risk. Previous efforts to encourage householders to take action to reduce their exposure have met with limited success, but the Government has recently launched a new programme in England in partnership with 32 local authorities to address the problem. This briefing outlines where radon comes from, its hazards, and ways to reduce its risks.

157 - GM Animals (pdf 160KB)
Four page POSTnote, June 2001
Use of genetically modified (GM) animals in research has increased tenfold in the last decade. This has occurred against a general decline in the overall number of animals used in scientific procedures. This briefing describes recent trends in the use of GM animals, examines the underlying reasons for these trends and looks at possible future developments. Specific welfare issues relating to the production and use of GM animals are also examined.

156 - Managing Human Error (pdf 184KB)
Eight page POSTnote, June 2001
The recent (June 2001) publication of the Cullen Report into the Paddington rail crash has once more focused media and public attention on large-scale accidents. Such incidents are often followed by calls for blame to be allocated to individuals at the 'sharp end' of the industry in question. In addition, small-scale workplace accidents account for over 200 deaths per year and over 180,000 injuries. This briefing looks at human factors which are liable to cause such errors, examines how their effects can be minimised and analyses the implications for health and safety policy.

155 - Online Voting (pdf 243KB)
Four page POSTnote, May 2001
Uncertainty over the 2000 US presidential election count has stimulated interest in better voting methods. These aim to increase participation, lower the costs of running elections and improve the accuracy of results. This briefing note looks at options for using new technologies in voting, focussing on the pros and cons of internet voting and the implications of such a radical change in the way that elections are conducted.

154 - Depleted Uranium (pdf 327KB)
Four page POSTnote, March 2001
Depleted uranium (DU) munitions were used in both the Gulf War and the Balkans. Exposure to DU has been suggested as a possible cause of unexplained illness among veterans of these campaigns. The House of Commons Defence Select Committee has monitored concerns over DU throughout the 1990s. It asked POST to prepare this briefing to address; military advantages and disadvantages of DU and possible alternatives; potential risks posed to human health.

153 - Open channels: public dialogue in science and technology (pdf 51KB)
Two page POST report summary, March 2001
Full report (pdf 356KB)
Fifty page POST report, March 2001
There is growing interest in engaging the public more directly in policy and decision-making. POST has reviewed recent developments in public dialogue, focussing on science and technology and drawing on experience from elsewhere.