We are witnessing a period of significant social and political change in the United Kingdom, bringing opportunities and challenges. Politicians and policy makers are visibly under pressure to meet the expectations of the public, but what are the unresolved public policy challenges they need to respond to in a new decade?

At this event, the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Understanding Society are launching a new briefing paper, Unresolved public policy challenges: Three evidence-based perspectives, at an early evening reception, with talks followed by Q&A with the audience and a drinks reception.

Attending the launch will be influential and expert stakeholders from government, academia, civil society and social research organisations.

Speakers:

• Professor Sir Ian Diamond, National Statistician
• Guy Goodwin, Chief Executive, National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) & Scottish Centre for Social Research (ScotCen)
• Raj Patel, Associate Director, Policy and Impact Fellow, Understanding Society, Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex
• Polly Mackenzie, Chief Executive, Demos

The event will be chaired by Professor Heather Joshi, Fellow of the British Academy and Chair of the British Academy Section on Sociology, Demography and Social Statistics.

Sir Ian Diamond will paint a picture of society from the statistics. We have seen many improvements in public policy outcomes but data exposes where progress still needs to be made. From population growth and life expectancy to wellbeing and loneliness, he will present findings across a range of data sources to consider issues around changing society and inequalities, as well as outcomes for the population as a whole.

Drawing from Understanding Society, the ground-breaking UK Household Longitudinal Study, Raj Patel will present how major socio-economic and demographic changes are re-shaping family structures, inequalities and generational opportunities. His talk will examine new findings, consider the implications of a more heterogeneous society and explore why there is a need to rethink the role of families in policy.

NatCen’s Chief Executive, Guy Goodwin, will provide some insights on public attitudes including what people think are the big unresolved challenges for Britain and, specifically, where they want change. Using the British Social Attitudes Survey, he will unpick where public attitudes are and aren’t changing, views on new policy challenges and why they matter to policy makers.

As the Conservatives plan for the first 100 days of Government, Polly Mackenzie, Chief Executive at Demos, will give her insights and perspectives of the unresolved public policy challenges and considers what policy makers can do to address this.

The evidence really does matter if politicians and policy makers are to respond effectively to the needs and expectations of the wider public in the future.

This event is part of NatCen's 50th anniversary event series and is kindly sponsored by ONS, Understanding Society and the British Academy.​​​​​​​