The House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee is investigating the use of behaviour change to achieve public policy objectives. It is critically examining the Government’s embracing of recently-popular “nudge” principles to influence people’s choices.

It is also analysing the evidence base for different forms of interventions to change behaviour and the ethical issues to which they give rise. The written evidence and two case studies on obesity and travel mode choice will be helpful to local authorities in considering behaviour change strategies.