Informing policy

NPL policy positions

NPL uses its cutting-edge R&D and innovation expertise to contribute to Government policy. We provide technical solutions to policy needs and offer independent advice across industry sectors.

• UK Science, Research and Technology Capability and Influence in Global Disease Outbreaks
  NPL’s response to the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee UK science, research and technology capability and influence in global disease outbreaks inquiry.
• Telecommunications Infrastructure and Domestic Capability
  NPL’s response to the Science and Technology Select Committee UK telecommunications infrastructure and the UK’s domestic capability inquiry.
• New UK Research Agency (ARPA)
  NPL’s response to the Science and Technology Select Committee inquiry into a new UK research funding agency.
• Possible Future Inquiries (April 2020)
  NPL’s submission to the Future Inquiries consultation from the Environmental Audit Committee.
• Delivering Core NHS and Care Services during the Pandemic and Beyond (May 2020)
  NPL’s response to the Health and Social Care Select Committee Inquiry into delivering core NHS and care services during the pandemic and beyond. 
• Role of Technology, Research and Innovation in the UK’s Economic Recovery from COVID-19
  NPL’s response to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee inquiry on the role of technology, research and innovation in the UK’s economic recovery from COVID-19.
• Science of Covid-19
  NPL’s response to the House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee science of COVID-19 inquiry.
• Technological Innovation and Climate Change: Hydrogen (August 2020)
  NPL’s response to the Environmental Audit Committee’s inquiry into technological innovations and climate change.
• Ageing Society Evidence (September 2019)
  NPL’s response to the Select Committee on Science and Technology’s call for evidence into ageing and healthy living.
• Evidence on discontinuing seasonal changes of time (August 2019)
  NPL’s response to the House of Lords European Union Committee’s call for evidence on EU International Market discontinuing seasonal changes of time.
• Commercial and recreational drone use in the UK inquiry (May 2019)
  NPL’s response to the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee inquiry into commercial and recreational drone use in the UK.
• Future frameworks for international collaboration (May 2019)
  NPL’s response to the future frameworks for international collaboration call for evidence on research and innovation.
• Automated Vehicles: A Preliminary Consultation Paper (February 2019)
  NPL’s response to Law Commissions' consultation on Automated Vehicles.
• UN Digital Cooperation (January 2019)
  NPL’s response to the UN High-Level Panel’s call for contributions on Digital Cooperation.
• National Geospatial Strategy Evidence (October 2018)
  NPL’s response to the National Geospatial Strategy call for evidence.
• Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation Consultation (September 2018)
  NPL’s response to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Centre for Data ethics and innovation consultation.
• Clean Air Strategy Consultation 2018 (August 2018)
  NPL’s response to the Clean Air Strategy, which outlines the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ ambitions relating to reducing air pollution in the round, making our air healthier to breathe, protecting nature and boosting the economy.
• The Business Productivity Review (July 2018)
  NPL’s response to a review jointly undertaken by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and HM Treasury, focusing on the decisions and actions taken by businesses that affect their own productivity.

NPL statements

NPL’s experts contribute to many of the Government’s reviews. We consider and acknowledge the findings and recommendations of the published reports.

• Government Science Capability Review
  NPL’s response to the capability review; comprehensive assessment of the role of science within the government, cumulating in 15 recommendations designed to enhance the application of scientific solutions in policy making across Whitehall.
• R&D Roadmap (July 2020)
  NPL’s response to the UK Government’s Research and Development (R&D) Roadmap to discuss with the science, research and innovation community how we can cement the UK as a world leading science super-power.

Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology Briefings

NPL contributes to briefings and notes created by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, which supplies trusted and impartial analysis to the UK Parliament.

• Interpretable Machine Learning (October 2020)
  This POSTnote gives an overview of machine learning and its role in decision-making.
• Edge Computing (September 2020)
  This POSTnote describes edge computing, the use of computing resources in close proximity to the place where data are processed within a network, and some of the opportunities and challenges associated with its use.
• Cloud Computing (June 2020)
  This POSTnote describes the different types of cloud computing before outlining issues relating to security, regulation, energy use and barriers to the adoption of this technology.
• Key EU Space Programmes (June 2020) 
  This POSTnote describes the EU operates space programmes which provide services such as navigation and weather forecasting to European citizens and the changes to future involvement at the end of the Brexit transition period.
• Misuse of civilian drones (January 2020)
  This POSTnote looks at civilian drones and their applications, focusing on potential misuse and possible responses.
• Limiting climate change to 1.5oC (February 2019)
  This POSTnote outlines key messages from the UN Special Report, and UK responses to preventing and adapting to climate change.
• Advances in Cancer Treatment (April 2019)
  A POSTnote that gives an overview of recent advances in cancer treatment, the potential benefits and risks, and considers the opportunities and challenges to using new technologies in the NHS.
• Biometrics Technologies (June 2018)
  This briefing focuses on how biometric technologies work, their applications, and the policy challenges raised by their use.
• Environmental Earth Observation (November 2017)
  This POSTnote outlines some of the environmental uses and benefits of Earth observation data, challenges facing its effective use, and potential opportunities from advances in relevant technologies.
• Quantum Technologies (April 2017)
  This POSTnote introduces recent advances, applications, and UK initiatives to support development of quantum technologies and commercialisation. It also reviews policy concerns such as privacy, access to new technologies and secure communications.