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Silver bullet or sticking plaster? Weight-loss drugs and the UK's obesity crisis

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Nesta @nestauk.bsky.social · 6d

Weight loss drugs have surged in popularity over recent years.

But while they are effective for helping people lose weight, their limitations mean we can't rely on jabs alone for tackling obesity.

We’ve dived into the data to explore the role of weight loss drugs in reducing UK obesity levels ⤵️

Weight loss drugs like Mounjaro and Ozempic have surged in popularity over recent years. But while they are effective for helping people lose weight, their various limitations mean that policymakers m...

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Seven tests for the government’s Warm Homes plan

Nesta @nestauk.bsky.social · 7d

🎙️ What are the big policy ideas shaping the debate at Conservative party conference?

Here's our policy team discussing the key policy ideas that we heard, and what else should be on the table ⤵️

🗓️ Explore our full programme: https://lnkd.in/eG4KT3igr

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Nesta @nestauk.bsky.social · 12d

The long-awaited Warm Homes plan is expected to launch in October, and it will be one of the government’s most important and challenging policy plans.

A new blog by Nesta's @acjsissons.bsky.social outlines the 7 tests the plan must meet to tackle fuel poverty, energy bills and decarbonisation:

Accelerating the switch from gas to electricity, make electricity cheaper, and balancing electrification with insulation are key policies that could reduce bills and carbon emissions for households

Seven tests for the government’s Warm Homes plan

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Reposted by Nesta

Marcus Shepheard @mashley.bsky.social · 14d

The Warm Homes Plan is coming, and it should provide a lot of answers and new details to how the Government will tackle the issues of energy bills, fuel poverty and emissions from homes.

@acjsissons.bsky.social sets out seven tests to judge the merits of the plan

www.nesta.org.uk/blog/seven-t...

Accelerating the switch from gas to electricity, make electricity cheaper, and balancing electrification with insulation are key policies that could reduce bills and carbon emissions for households

How does Nesta’s mission to halve obesity by 2030 relate to health inequalities?

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Nesta @nestauk.bsky.social · 13d

How can halving obesity in the UK also help to narrow health inequalities?

At Nesta, we’re working to halve obesity by 2030 with a population-level approach. Read more on why we think this is the most equitable way to reduce obesity. https://bit.ly/4pRtnEY

Why a population-level approach can create the largest real-world improvements in obesity across the UK population

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Nesta @nestauk.bsky.social · 13d

🎙️ What policy ideas should be on the table at this year's party conferences?

We've been at the Labour Party Conference this week to explore policy solutions to the big challenges facing the UK.

Find out what else we've got coming up: https://bit.ly/4oMmC6L

Nesta @nestauk.bsky.social · 15d

Hi Owen, unfortunately the library isn't open to contributions. But a great idea for something in the future!

Is removing VAT really the best way to cut energy bills?

Reposted by Nesta

Climate Visuals @climatevisuals.bsky.social · 16d

New pictures!

Today we're excited to be launching the first images from our new resource of engaging, accessible and real-life images of heat pumps across the UK, free for non-profit, editorial and educational use.

Find out more and view the images:
www.climatevisuals.org/heatpumps/

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Nesta @nestauk.bsky.social · 15d

What do you picture when you hear about heat pumps?

📸 A new online library published by Nesta and @climatevisuals.bsky.social challenges misconceptions, normalise this green tech in the home and show how they fit in with everyday life. https://www.climatevisuals.org/heatpumps/

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Nesta @nestauk.bsky.social · 19d

Old policy methods struggle with today’s complex challenges.

Learn how flexible, iterative ‘test and learn’ approaches help governments reduce risk, adapt fast, and deliver impactful public services with @bitglobal.bsky.social's new course.

🔗 Book your place now: https://bit.ly/463YRQg

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Nesta @nestauk.bsky.social · 20d

Is removing VAT the best way to cut energy bills?

Our new blog looks at the alternatives, from targeting electricity to a one-off debt forgiveness scheme. Is there a better way to spend £2.5 billion?

⤵️ https://bit.ly/42ElFDV

Targeting electricity bills, subsidising bill-funded schemes, or a one-off debt forgiveness program offer more effective, fair, and sustainable solutions

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Nesta @nestauk.bsky.social · 23d

🎙️ What did our speakers find inspiring at Policy Live 2025?

From honest conversations about challenges and solutions, to collaboration on policy innovation, here's what our speakers took from Policy Live ⤵️

🎥 Watch back online: https://www.policylive.org/nesta/332/82846

Where should the new best start family hubs be located to improve outcomes in the early years?

Nesta @nestauk.bsky.social · 26d

The government’s ambition to create up to 1,000 family hubs across England by 2028 has been backed by a £500m investment.

How should this additional investment be spent to best support disadvantaged children? Our new data analysis explores ⤵️

We recommend that the government uses data on access to family hubs, free school meals, inequality, and deprivation at a neighbourhood level to decide on the strategic placement of hubs

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Nesta @nestauk.bsky.social · 26d

🎙️ The UK faces big challenges - but are there reasons to be optimistic?

Last week, we hosted Policy Live, our one-day conference on how to do policy differently, where speakers shared fresh ideas and solutions on how to build a brighter future.

Watch back our sessions: https://bit.ly/4m0j4fx

Nesta @nestauk.bsky.social · 27d

🎙️ Why should the UK do policy differently?

Last week, we hosted Policy Live, our one-day conference on how to do policy differently, featuring politicians, policy experts, business leaders, and changemakers.

🎥 Watch back a selection of sessions online ➡️ https://bit.ly/4mnXroJ

Harnessing AI to positively disrupt policymaking

Nesta @nestauk.bsky.social · 29d

Policymakers often face limited time pressures and fragmented evidence.

What if there was an AI-powered tool that allowed policymakers to rapidly identify the most effective policies to tackle social challenges, based on latest evidence and research?

We're developing a new tool to do just that ⤵️

Lessons learned from our user research

NHS waiting list data strengthens case for preventative health

Nesta @nestauk.bsky.social · Sep 15

NHS waiting times are vital for people's experience of the health service as well as their health.

We've dug into the data behind rising NHS waiting times - and why they strengthen the case for taking a preventative approach to health, easing pressure on the system ⤵️

Despite some improvements in reducing the most extreme waits, the system continues to face challenges

Reposted by Nesta

Sara Elias @saraelias.bsky.social · Sep 12

“HMT is the single greatest barrier to devolved policy innovation in the UK”- Mark Drakeford

‘100% agree with that’ - Nicola Sturgeon

@nestauk.bsky.social PolicyLive was a great one!

Nesta @nestauk.bsky.social · Sep 12

Thank you to everyone who joined us in person and online for #PolicyLive!

More than 400 guests joined us in Westminster to explore how to do policy differently and solve the UK's most pressing challenges.

🎥 Watch back a selection of our sessions now: https://www.policylive.org/nesta/332/82846

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Nesta @nestauk.bsky.social · Sep 11

#PolicyLive 2025 is underway!

🎙️We’re live in Westminster exploring bold ideas to drive social change in the UK.

There’s still more to come on the livestream - watch live ➡️ www.policylive.org/nesta/332/82...

Nesta @nestauk.bsky.social · Sep 11

We’re LIVE from Westminster for #PolicyLive, exploring how to do policy differently ⚡

Not joining us in person? Tune in to our live stream to hear talks on economic growth, immigration, mission-driven government, how to make big ideas spread and more ➡️ https://www.policylive.org/nesta/332/82846

Nesta @nestauk.bsky.social · Sep 10

📣 24 hours until Policy Live: our one-day event on how to do policy differently.

🚨 Final few in-person spaces available - registration closes today, so don't miss your chance to apply for your ticket ⤵️

Nesta @nestauk.bsky.social · Aug 4

Policy Live is back for 2025: and registration is now open 🎉

Join us on 11 Sept in central London for our full-day programme: with over 60 speakers exploring how to do policy differently - including Wes Streeting, Nicola Sturgeon and more.

Tickets are limited, apply now: bit.ly/4m0j4fx