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The uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the need for accurate information to support sound decisions. However, having access to more information can make it harder for people to decide what to believe or not believe. This report presents the findings of a study on the evolution of the role of facts and analysis in public life in Europe. The research is part of the Countering Truth Decay Initiative, a portfolio of projects completed by the RAND Corporation to restore the role of facts and analysis in public life. After the first report in the Truth Decay series, Truth Decay — An Initial Exploration of the Diminishing Role of Facts and Analysis in American Public Life, was published in 2018, exploring the Truth Decay phenomenon in the European context was a logical next step for RAND. The COVID-19 pandemic provided many stark examples of the trends characteristic to Truth Decay. In Europe, questions have been raised about access to and the quality of information regarding the pandemic, as well as the use of scientific evidence in policy making. There has been polarisation in the private and public sphere and news avoidance and disengagement from public debate. This report, however, goes beyond a recording of the current climate and explores whether the situation is getting worse, i.e. whether the disagreement about facts and data is increasing, whether the volume and resulting influence of opinion (over fact) is growing, and whether trust in formerly respected sources of information is declining.

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Over the period 2017-2021 the attitude of the French public and policymakers towards early years education and care changed, resulting in early childhood development (ECD), particularly the affective and social components, increasingly being recognised as a priority, with early childhood education and care (ECEC) services enjoying more government support. Consequently, this period witnessed an increase in policies with a focus on expanding and improving the access and quality of childcare and preschool services, especially for the most disadvantaged and vulnerable children. This report provides an overview of the policy changes that occurred between 2017-2022. In addition, it analyses broader trends within French society and politics, illustrating a shifting attitude towards a more holistic understanding and practice around ECD. Finally, the report identifies key challenges that remain for policymakers in the future and determines relevant research gaps that could support the implementation of more evidence-based policies. The aim of this study is to point out areas for improvement, when it comes to ECD and ECEC services, to support funders, decision makers and other actors in bringing about meaningful change in the future. This research was funded by Porticus France.

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Most ex-Service personnel transition effectively into civilian life, but some face challenges—including poor mental and/or physical health, unemployment, financial hardship and homelessness—that hinder a successful transition. This can lead to some individuals committing crimes and finding themselves within the criminal justice system (CJS). The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust provides grants across a number of different programmes, including the Ex-Service Personnel in the CJS Programme. The aim of the Programme is to reduce reoffending and provide support to ex-Service personnel who have come into contact with the CJS. Through this Programme, the Trust awarded £4.6 million in 2015 to 14 projects, followed by a further £1.1 million of continuation grants in 2018 to seven of the 14 projects. The projects and services funded under the Programme are dedicated to helping identify and support ex-Service personnel throughout the various stages of the CJS, including custody, pre-sentencing, the point of sentence and post-release from custody. RAND Europe was commissioned to evaluate this Programme, to help the Trust understand how the projects have met the aims of the Programme and what lessons and areas of good practices from the Programme could be identified with applicability for other relevant services and projects and with relevance for wider public policy. The evaluation was guided by 11 evaluation questions (EQs), nine of which focus on the individual projects, and two of which are programme-level questions.

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The boundaries of rule-based order and global norms are being tested everywhere. Grey-zone tactics, rapid technological change, and the increased frequency and severity of natural and man-made disasters add new pressures to societal stability and prosperity. Regionally, strategic competition within the Indo-Pacific continues to increase. The Australian Government responded to this expanded range of threats in its 2020 Defence Strategic Update (DSU20). The policy proposals articulated therein are consistent with modern deterrence and different from Defence's traditional expeditionary methodology. A number of other countries, such as Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, and Singapore, have adopted deterrence positions based on the concept of 'total defence'. This depends on the entire civil community being ready and prepared to mobilise in collaboration with its armed forces but utilising economic, digital, and psychological means, just as much as military, to defend against contemporary threats. The authors suggest that adopting elements of a total defence framework for mobilisation planning would be consistent with the policy proposals in DSU20, as well as with international practice. The authors' comparison extends to the United States, where, through its National Security Strategy, it emphasises similar dimensions to total defence whilst maintaining its expeditionary approach to warfighting. Psychological and societal resilience is important to the success of total defence. The authors propose the development of a strategic narrative to engage and prepare Australian society for the new challenges. They also suggest that risk-based, rather than event-driven, approaches to mobilisation planning may meet the speed and effectiveness required in the new threat landscape.