Fast Stream Policy Analysis

Question 1

The UK Government is considering a policy to mandate that all new homes built from 2026 must include electric vehicle charging points.
Which of the following is the strongest argument AGAINST this policy?

Accepted Answer

The additional construction cost could reduce overall housing supply at a time of acute housing shortage

Answer

Electric vehicles don't exist yet

Answer

Nobody will ever want to charge a car at home

Answer

The policy would only affect England

Question 2

A government impact assessment for a new regulation estimates compliance costs of £50 million for businesses but health benefits valued at £200 million over 10 years. A critic argues the policy should not proceed. Which criticism would be most analytically robust?

Accepted Answer

The costs fall immediately on businesses while the benefits accrue gradually over a decade, creating a mismatch in timing that the net present value calculation should address

Answer

The health benefits cannot be measured in monetary terms

Answer

£200 million is not very much money for the government

Answer

Businesses should not have to comply with any regulations

Question 3

The Government wants to reduce childhood obesity rates. Which policy approach best reflects the 'nudge' theory advocated by the Behavioural Insights Team?

Accepted Answer

Requiring supermarkets to place healthier options at eye level and at checkout areas, making the healthy choice the easy choice

Answer

Banning all advertising of unhealthy food products

Answer

Introducing a large tax on sugary foods

Answer

Making PE lessons compulsory for four hours daily in all schools

Question 4

A cross-departmental working group is evaluating three policy options to reduce rough sleeping. Which evaluation criterion is LEAST appropriate for this assessment?

Accepted Answer

Popularity: whether the policy polls well with the general public

Answer

Cost-effectiveness: cost per person housed

Answer

Evidence base: whether the approach has been evaluated in similar contexts

Answer

Deliverability: whether local authorities have the capacity to implement the policy

Question 5

HM Treasury's Green Book sets out guidance for policy appraisal. Which of the following is a key principle of the Green Book methodology?

Accepted Answer

All impacts — economic, social, and environmental — should be appraised over the lifetime of the policy using discounted values

Answer

Policies should always prioritise the lowest-cost option

Answer

Only financial costs and benefits to the Exchequer should be considered

Answer

Policies should be evaluated solely on their first-year impact

Question 6

A devolved policy area produces different outcomes in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland due to different approaches. From a policy analysis perspective, this situation is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A natural experiment that provides valuable comparative evidence for policy evaluation

Answer

A failure of the UK constitution

Answer

Proof that devolution should be reversed

Answer

Irrelevant because the policies are not directly comparable