What is a just transition for environmental targets?
This POSTnote considers transitions to meet environmental targets and how their costs and benefits for different members of society can be distributed fairly.

This POSTnote looks at specialist data skills in the UK, including for artificial intelligence. It considers demand and supply, workforce demographics, challenges, and initiatives to increase supply.
POSTnote 697 Data science skills in the UK workforce (527 KB , PDF)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.58248/PN697
Data science is an umbrella term for fields that use large quantities of data to discover actionable insights. Data science projects may involve a team with a range of roles such as data scientists, data engineers, data analysts, and data stewards. These roles require both technical and non-technical skills at a range of levels.
This POSTnote primarily focuses on the skills needed for data analysis and modelling, which require technical skills, such as data visualisation and programming; and non-technical skills, such as communication, creative thinking, and data ethics.
In its 2020 National Data Strategy, the UK Government recognised ‘data skills’ as one of four pillars needed to ensure that the UK benefits from data. Additionally, the 2021 National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy recognised ‘skills and talent’ as core to the UK’s success in AI.
The demand for specialist data skills is growing. In 2023, the World Economic Forum surveyed 803 global companies and found that ‘AI and Machine Learning Specialists’ and ‘Data Analysts and Scientists’ roles were in the top 10 jobs expected to grow fastest between 2023 and 2027.
There is a mis-match between the supply and demand of specialist data skills. A 2020 Ipsos Mori survey of 118 UK public and private sector organisations using AI, or developing AI-led products or services, found that 62% of respondents could not meet their goals because job applicants and existing staff lacked the skills needed to work with AI.
The UK Government has launched several initiatives to develop specialist data skills across the UK. This includes £117 million to train PhD students at AI Centres for Doctoral Training from 2024/25. The Lords Science and Technology Committee has raised concerns that there is a mismatch between the scale of the UK’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) skills gap and the solutions posed by the Government.
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Acknowledgements:
POSTnotes are based on literature reviews and interviews with a range of stakeholders and are externally peer reviewed. POST would like to thank interviewees and peer reviewers for kindly giving up their time during the preparation of this briefing, including:
*denotes people and organisations who acted as external reviewers for the briefing.
POSTnote 697 Data science skills in the UK workforce (527 KB , PDF)
This POSTnote considers transitions to meet environmental targets and how their costs and benefits for different members of society can be distributed fairly.
A POSTnote looking at online advertising technologies, competition challenges, and potential technological approaches to address these issues.
This POSTnote will provide an overview of the potential policy issues that AI raises. These could include economic and societal benefits, and risks relating to disinformation, national security, as well as existential risks.