What’s new in the latest Polimapper release: Version 4.2
Over the past month, the Polimapper technical team has been hard at work implementing key improvements to enhance usability and ensure a smoother experience across the platform. Here’s what’s new: New Features Table Download We’ve introduced the ability to download tables with a single click. Now, users can export tabular data as a […]
Flattening the Tiers: A comprehensive guide to the reorganisation of two-tier councils in England
England’s local government landscape is changing. Across the nation, the established two-tier system of councils is being re-drawn, sparking crucial conversations about the future of local services and representation. Navigating these structural shifts can feel complex, but understanding the underlying drivers and the practical implications is vital for everyone involved. To cut through the noise, […]
New AI tool looks to unlock public opinion data
Earlier this year, the government launched its ‘AI Opportunities Action Plan’, which heavily emphasised the potential of AI to ‘unlock data assets in the public and private sector’. The curation of a ‘National Data Library’ aims to foster research, innovation and development within the UK by making public and private sector data more accessible. An […]
Understanding the Updated Rural Urban Classification
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has just updated its Rural Urban Classification for England and Wales, a crucial tool that helps us understand our diverse geography. Released in March 2025, this classification is fundamental for everything from government funding allocations to understanding local service needs and shaping regional development strategies. The official classification defines […]
English Devolution: Where are we now?
In January, we reported on the English Devolution White Paper, and the proposed overhaul in government in the country. Since then, there have been significant developments in the journey towards devolution. Recent Updates In February, the minister of state for local government and English devolution, Jim McMahon, announced the six devolution areas that are […]
AI’s expanding role in the public sector
The government has bold plans to utilise artificial intelligence to ‘boost the economy, provide jobs, and improve people’s everyday lives’. The UK is already a hub for artificial intelligence in Europe, having twice the number of AI companies compared to any other European nation, with London being considered the AI capital of Europe. The government […]
Understanding the English Devolution White Paper
Presented by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner, the English Devolution White Paper proposes a significant overhaul of the local government system in England. In this blog, we will explore how these proposals will change the current system, the implications of the white paper, as well as the mixed […]
Endometriosis by local authority
Using data from the 2011 Census linked to hospital records from 2011 to 2021, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has conducted a comprehensive analysis of the characteristics of women diagnosed with endometriosis in NHS hospitals across England. Endometriosis, a chronic gynaecological condition, is estimated to have a 2% prevalence among reproductive age women. Whilst […]
Public data insights: November 2024 – Autism, buses and immigration
Welcome to the latest edition of Public Data Insights, our monthly summary of the latest data and statistical releases from various government departments and public bodies, all with a focus on sub-national insights. With a wealth of statistics available from government sources, there are many opportunities to leverage this data to communicate key issues to […]
School suspensions and permanent exclusions
In the autumn term of 2023/24, state-funded schools in England recorded 346,279 suspensions, according to the Department for Education. This is a significant increase from the 247,366 suspensions reported the previous year, and nearly double the number recorded in autumn 2019. Primary schools saw the highest rise in suspensions, increasing by 41%. Permanent exclusions also […]