Recommendations by Professor Rita de la Feria led to reforms implemented in the Portugal’s 2012 State Budget which boosted the efficiency of tax and generated savings of 1.2 per cent GDP.

Five datasets hosted by the Economic and social Data underpin the research evidence which UK and Scottish governments are using for plans to reduce alcohol misuse.

Social scientists from the ESRC’s Centre for Business Relationships, Accountability, Sustainability and Society (BRASS) at Cardiff University have developed a new methodology that allows findings to go beyond narrow academic circles. In a study of the impact of the single use carrier bag levy, introduced by the Welsh Government in 2011, BRASS academics designed their research with media interest and the general public in mind.

One of the challenges of using cross-national surveys for policy and practice is the need to reliably compare results from different countries. The Latent Variable Modelling of Categorical Data project developed computing tools to help researchers determine how comparable the results are - enabling surveys to deliver better and more reliable policy recommendations.

Researchers from Bristol University's Centre for Market and Public Organisation evaluated school performance tables as predictors of children's likely exam performance. Their proposed alternative approach, offering improvements in functionality, was adopted by the Department for Education and implemented for the first time in the school league tables published early in 2012.

Researchers at Loughborough University have shown that self-help sleep management, based on the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can improve sleep quality and duration. The research team are now delivering CBT training for insomnia to NHS therapists throughout the UK.

Researchers from the Centre for Economic Performance and the Spatial Economics Research Centre analysed the impact of reforms in health care, where private hospitals could compete with NHS hospitals on publicly funded care. Their findings were cited by all three main political parties in debates and shaped the design of the NHS reform bill, which became an Act of Parliament in March 2012.

Researchers at the University of Leeds, carried out the largest study to date of the erotic dancing industry in the UK night-time economy to assess the realities of negative claims about the industry. Following co-operation with the researchers, Local Authorities such as Leeds, Blackpool, Manchester and Camden have adopted specific 'good practice' procedures, while a number of initiatives are ongoing to improve safety, licensing, working conditions and welfare of dancers.

Nanotechnologies - tiny devices and systems on a nanoscale - are developing so fast that regulation has been struggling to keep up. In recent years there have been growing fears about the potential risks to human health and the environment from nanotechnology.

The UK Government established Sure Start in 1999 to provide integrated early years services primarily targeted on disadvantaged groups. One of its main architects, Norman Glass of HM Treasury, described it as "an outstanding example of evidence-based policy."

Homeless people with complex support needs – such as mental health and/or drug/alcohol problems – have become a policy priority in the UK because they are disproportionately ‘failed by’ or ‘resistant to’ existing interventions.

This Knowledge Transfer Partnership project helped Dr Foster Intelligence to assess the best way to visualise complex health data on maps - leading to the development of the cutting-edge web application Population Health Manager.

A new tool assessing the quality of team-related behaviours of the core members of an operating theatre team has been mandated for national use by the National Patient Safety Agency and implemented in several other countries.

Innovation in the UK is not restricted to high-tech and pharmaceutical industries. Right across the country, innovation is turning up in unexpected places and firms. Also, innovation is not just about new products; it is seen in fresh approaches to services, business processes and methods.

In this Knowledge Transfer Partnership, Anchor Trust collaborated with the University of Sheffield to identify best practice to recruit and retain care staff working in nursing and residential homes.

A KTP partnership facilitating the development of the Barrow Trust School Pathfinder, attracting additional funding predicted to amount to £30 million, and leading to recognition as an educational change innovator.

A KTP Partnership based at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust established training practices for junior doctors and spearheaded the local Medical Workforce Skills Mix Analysis group - leading to a successful bid for £106k from the Strategic Change Fund.

A study of reinsurance underwriting and broking practices in the London and Bermuda analysed the strengths and weaknesses of face-to-face and electronic trading approaches, highlighting how they affect training and business development.

The Centre for Charitable Giving and Philanthropy has contributed to research exploring proposals for reforming and simplifying tax-effective Gift Aid donations to UK charities.

The Research Group on Lifestyles, Values and the Environment has quantified how consumer purchasing decisions drive carbon emissions - helping to develop a business standard on carbon footprinting.

A scheme introduced by Southampton City Council granted planning permission for a new store - on the condition that the company guaranteed interviews to jobseekers who had completed a pre-employment training course.

Less confrontational crowd control is achieved by police wearing normal uniforms, moving in pairs and interacting with the crowd.

Research on biased jury decisions in rape trials informed Home Office legislation review and judicial assessments in New Zealand.

Research leading to the development of a simulator for new bus drivers, a psychometric driver assessment, and safety guidelines at bus depots - resulting in substantial cost savings for the bus company.

An environment law online resource is receiving more than 1,100 visitors per month, with most interest in issues around noise, waste and planning