Publications 2003
Four page POSTnote, December 2003
HIV/AIDS is an increasing problem in developing countries. Bodies such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) deliver a range of education, prevention and treatment initiatives, but the epidemic continues to grow. This note describes the scale of the epidemic, outlines recent policy initiatives and analyses the effectiveness of current programmes
209 - Modern methods of house building (pdf 120KB)
Four page POSTnote, December 2003
Last week, the Government's Barker Review argued that a UK housing shortage is having widespread economic and social consequences. Government estimates that by 2016 there will be 3 million new UK households. It recently published the Sustainable Communities Plan outlining a major new house building programme to help meet this growth. Government is encouraging modern methods of construction (MMC), which it says can achieve "a step change in the construction industry to produce the quantity and quality of housing we need". Specifically, from 2004 a quarter of new publicly funded social housing must use MMC. MMC primarily involves the manufacture of homes in factories, with potential benefits such as faster construction, fewer housing defects, and reductions in energy use and waste. This note describes the variety of MMC used by UK house builders and assesses the main costs and benefits. It then discusses issues including industry capacity and the quality of housing.
208 - The nuclear energy option in the UK (pdf 123KB)
Four page POSTnote, December 2003
The government's recent White Paper on energy policy did not endorse a programme of new nuclear power stations at this time, but declared that "at some point in the future new nuclear build might be necessary if we are to meet our carbon targets." Thus, its policy on nuclear energy is "to keep the option open". Parliamentary interest in this topic is high. This briefing analyses some of the issues associated with keeping the option open that the government and industry might need to resolve. It does not examine whether there is a need to keep the option open nor indeed the precise means for doing this. Rather, it focuses on options for new reactors, the economics of nuclear energy, the knowledge base for nuclear technology, and issues related to waste management, licensing and security.
207 - The environmental costs of aviation (pdf 116KB)
Four page POSTnote, November 2003
The Government's policies for the future of UK air transport will be set out in a White Paper in late 2003. This will also put forward initial proposals for making the aviation industry and its users pay for their environmental costs. This briefing examines the basis for the Government's cost estimates and how these could be used in policy decisions related to airport expansion and environmental regulation for aviation.
Also see report E-11 for a longer analysis of valuing the global warming impacts of aviation.
206 - Smoking in public places (pdf 66KB)
Four page POSTnote, October 2003
The Chief Medical Officer has called on government to consider introducing legislation to ban smoking in all enclosed public places. Several other countries have already introduced such laws. This briefing considers the evidence that passive smoking causes disease; describes government policy on passive smoking; and discusses options for reducing exposure of staff and customers in public places to tobacco smoke.
205 - Childhood obesity (pdf 111KB)
Four page POSTnote, September 2003
Obesity is a growing problem in the UK and elsewhere and is currently the subject of a Commons Health Committee inquiry. The most recent (2001) estimates for England suggest that some 8.5% of 6 year olds and 15% of 15 year olds are obese. This is a concern because obesity is an important risk factor for mortality and a range of chronic diseases in adult life. This note builds on the POST report Improving children's diet (pdf 1.1MB) (pdf 1.1MB) and describes recent trends in obesity, examines possible causes and analyses policy responses.
204 - Reform of mental health legislation (pdf 70KB)
Four page POSTnote, October 2003
In 2002, the government published a draft Bill setting out proposed changes to the current Mental Health Act 1983. While the need to reform current legislation is widely accepted, the proposed changes have been criticised by health professionals, service providers, users and carers alike. The government is currently consulting about the changes. This briefing analyses issues concerning overlap with other legislation and examines alternative ways forward for mental health policy and the provision of services.
203 - Security of electricity supplies (pdf 128KB)
Four page POSTnote, September 2003
Modern societies are vulnerable to unreliable electricity supplies. The recent power failures in London, storm damage to UK electricity networks in 2002, as well as widespread blackouts in North America, highlight the impact of disruptions to electricity networks. Electricity generation shortages are another potential threat to electricity supplies. This briefing outlines the main issues linked to maintaining electricity supplies. It also reviews the role of government in ensuring the security of supply in electricity markets.
202 - Primary Science (pdf 260KB)
Four page POSTnote, September 2003
Science became a compulsory subject in all state primary schools in England in 1989. There is general agreement that considerable progress has been made since then and government now views primary science education to be a success. There is also, however, concern outside government that advances made in the early years are in danger of being lost. Issues discussed here include: how schools can both develop pupils' interest in science and prepare them for secondary school; the balance needed between teaching factual knowledge and the skills of scientific enquiry; the effects of the SATs tests; and the importance of teachers' scientific knowledge and confidence.
201 - Chewing Gum Litter (pdf 225KB)
Two page POSTnote, September 2003
Discarded chewing gum sticks firmly to pavements. It does not degrade over time and is difficult to remove. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) recently put forward proposals to tackle this issue. These included encouraging manufacturers to take responsibility for helping to reduce chewing gum litter and clarifying legislation so that chewing gum would be treated in the same way as other litter. This briefing considers the options for preventing and for cleaning up chewing gum litter.
200 - Government IT projects (pdf 99KB)
Two page POST report summary, July 2003
Full report (400 KB) (pdf 362KB)
Thirty page POST report, July 2003
Government departments have 100 major IT projects underway with a total value of £10 billion. However, over the past five years, IT difficulties have affected, among others, the Criminal Records Bureau, Inland Revenue, National Air Traffic Services and the Department for Work and Pensions. The government has a target for making all services available electronically by 2005, so pressure is increasing to improve IT delivery. This POST report analyses why some government IT projects fail, the measures government has put in place to tackle these problems and their effectiveness.
199 - Improving children's diet (pdf 113KB)
Four page POST report summary, July 2003
Full report (1MB) (pdf 1.1MB) (pdf 1.1MB)
Eighty page POST report, September 2003
Recent years have seen an increasing focus on improving children's diet as part of an overall strategy for preventing chronic disease. This has been prompted by evidence that: young people in the UK and elsewhere are eating too much saturated fat, sugars and salt and too few fruit and vegetables; some conditions - notably diabetes and obesity - are increasingly affecting children; diseases normally associated with adult life have their roots in poor eating habits during childhood. This note summarises a forthcoming POST report which looks at the evidence linking children's diet with chronic disease, details recent trends and analyses the policy options for improving children's diets.
198 - Sex Selection (pdf 102KB)
Four page POSTnote, July 2003
The recent development of more reliable techniques offers prospective parents a better chance of influencing whether they have a girl or a boy. This has brought a new focus to the issues around sex selection. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) will publish the findings of a wide-ranging review of sex selection regulation and technology, and advise government on whether new legislation is required, later this year. This briefing focuses on the regulatory options for sperm sorting and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).
197 - Aircraft noise (pdf 142KB)
Four page POSTnote, June 2003
For many living around airports, noise is the most evident environmental impact of aviation. This briefing examines the sources of noise from airports, the effects of noise on people and the implications of the Government's forecasts for the growth in aviation. Potential technical and policy options to reduce aircraft noise are outlined. A more detailed POST report is also available covering this and other environmental issues associated with aviation ( report summary (pdf 134KB), full report (600 KB) (pdf 588KB)).
196 - Science in policy (pdf 141KB)
Four page POSTnote, June 2003
Government departments spend ~£1.5 billion per year on research to support policy and delivery of services. Recent reviews by the Government and the National Audit Office found wide variations in how departments procure and use research. This briefing explores how natural and social science research is commissioned and used by government and how it links with policy.
Also see report E-10 (pdf 307KB) for a longer analysis of scientific research in policy making
195 - Aviation and the environment (pdf 134KB)
Four page POST report summary, April 2003
Full report (600 KB) (pdf 588KB)
Seventy six page POST report, April 2003
Air travel is forecast to grow, possibly trebling by 2030. The Government is consulting on whether and where this demand should be met, and a White Paper is due at the end of 2003. Growth in air travel affects the environment locally through noise, air pollution, and damage to wildlife, heritage and landscapes. More widely, emissions from aircraft engines contribute to global warming. This POST report considers the environmental effects of civil aviation and the options available to mitigate these effects.
194 - Medical Self-test Kits (pdf 174KB)
Four page POSTnote, March 2003
The Human Genetics Commission will shortly publish advice to Government on issues related to the supply of genetic tests direct-to-the-public. However, it is not only genetic tests that are increasingly available over the counter and via the internet, but also a variety of other medical tests. This briefing describes the range of tests available and discusses the implications of self-testing for individuals and for the NHS.
193 - Food Poisoning (pdf 127KB)
Four page POSTnote, January 2003
Cases of food poisoning in the UK increased significantly through the 1980s and 1990s. This trend has started to reverse in recent years but food poisoning remains a public health concern, with an estimated one in five people affected by infectious intestinal disease each year. The Government has set a target to reduce foodborne disease by 20% between 2001 and 2006. This briefing describes the trends in foodborne disease in the UK and examines options for meeting the Government target.
192 - Nuclear Fusion (pdf 130KB)
Four page POSTnote, January 2003
There is growing interest in using nuclear fusion for generating electricity in the future. The fuel it would use is abundant and it produces no greenhouse gases. International negotiations are under way to construct the next major experimental fusion reactor (ITER) and the US has recently decided to re-enter these discussions. Questions remain over issues such as the economic viability and environmental impact of fusion power and the timescales for its commercialisation. This note discusses such issues and updates POST's previous briefings on fusion research.