• POSTnote

    v-CJD in the future, January 2002

    Variant Creutzfeldt Jakob disease (v-CJD) was first defined in the UK in 1996. This POSTnote outlines the main factors that will influence the number of future cases, considers models that estimate the total number of deaths, and discusses the policy implications.

  • POSTnote

    Chemical weapons, December 2001

    This POSTnote complements POSTnote 166 on Bio-terrorism and considers the nature of various chemical agents, international efforts to stop proliferation and UK preparedness for attacks.

  • POSTnote

    Managing flooding, December 2001

    This POSTnote outlines the policy and practice of managing river flooding, and examines how the response might be improved.

  • POSTnote

    Biometrics and security, November 2001

    Biometric technology identifies individuals automatically by using their biological or behavioural characteristics. This POSTnote considers the number of current and potential applications relating to national security and law enforcement.

  • POSTnote

    Bio-terrorism, November 2001

    This POSTnote outlines the nature of the various biological weapons (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.

  • POSTnote

    Health benefits of physical activity, October 2001

    This POSTnote describes the health benefis 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.

  • POSTnote

    UK electricity networks, October 2001

    The Government wishes to increase the contribution of renewable electricity and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) to UK energy supplies. This POSTnote explores the regulatory, economic and technical implications arising. It accompanies a related but separate briefing on renewable energy (POSTnote 164).

  • POSTnote

    Renewable energy, October 2001

    This POSTnote outlines the main renewable energy sources, the barriers to uptake, and the policies to stimulate their deploymnet. 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).

  • POSTnote

    Climate change policy update, July 2001

    This POSTnote summarises the latest scientific assessment of climate change, the issues to be resolved at the international negotiations in Bonn, and the implications for future policy.

  • POSTnote

    Managing human error, June 2001

    This POSTnote looks at human factors which are liable to cause both large-scale accidents and small-scale workplace accidents, examines how their effects can be minimised and analyses the implications for health and safety.

  • POSTnote

    Reducing radon risks in the home, June 2001

    This POSTnote looks at radon, 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. It outlines where radon comes from, its hazards, and ways to reduce its risks.