POSTbrief

This briefing gives an overview of the UK’s telephone and broadband infrastructure. It covers fixed (static) broadband infrastructure (rather than wireless technologies). It includes an introduction to poles and ducts, and how they can be accessed by other Internet service providers who are wanting to build their own telecommunications infrastructure.

This POSTbrief provides a brief overview of methodologically robust studies on state-funded selective schools that select the majority of their intake on academic criteria.

A briefing that discusses children’s engagement with education and training on release from custody - complementing POSTnote 524 on Education in Youth Custody.

A briefing that expands on aspects of healthcare for families that experience baby loss - discussed in POSTnote 527, Infant Mortality and Stillbirth in the UK

This POSTbrief introduces the European Rail Traffic Management System, explains the concept of moving block signalling and discusses its potential benefits for rail capacity, which are likely to vary significantly between routes.

This briefing provides an overview of how encryption works and how it is used.

Part 6 of the Energy Bill 2015-16 proposes an amendment to the Climate Change Act to adjust the performance measure used in the UK’s statutory carbon budgets. The new measure would include UK territorial emissions only. With this change, credits or debits from the EU Emissions Trading System would not contribute towards the UK’s performance against its carbon budgets from 2028 onwards. This POSTbrief introduces the carbon budgets, explains the proposed change and outlines the implications of the proposed change.

A short paper describing the impact of climate change on infectious diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks in the UK.

A short paper describing how cognitive biases can influence the results of forensic investigations.

A short paper describing the use of body-worn video cameras in UK policing.

A short paper describing recent changes to the national childhood immunisation programme.

After every general election, POST produces a special briefing highlighting some of the main science-based issues that the new Parliament is likely to encounter.