Expert comment press releases

ornament houses on a table

"Housing investment needs to be backed up by concrete detail about delivery, rather than this investment simply delivering more ‘affordable’ housing, which is anything but for many households."

Rachel Reeves unveiled billions for social and affordable housing in today's Spending Review (11 June 2025), in what some are calling 'the biggest cash injection for affordable housing in half a century'.

HMRC website and a pen and letter

“Recent cyber attacks weren’t purely technical failures, they started with people, processes, and misplaced trust” – Cyber Security expert comments on run of high-profile online attacks

HMRC revealed yesterday that more than 100,000 taxpayer accounts had been compromised, as cyber criminals stole more than £47 million through fraudulent tax rebates. While the tax authority managed to secure the accounts, meaning no taxpayer’s money was lost, the incident highlights how susceptible to organised fraud large organisations can be.

Red exclamation mark on digital background

“Are we dangling on the edge of a digital apocalypse given all of the high-profile attacks recently?”

Professor in Cyber Security, Oli Buckley comments on the importance of digital housekeeping in a world so intrinsically tied to digital services.
Woman opening fridge in supermarket

“In our interconnected world, a hacker’s keyboard can disrupt the journey from farm to fork” – cyber security expert comments on growing vulnerability in our food infrastructure.

As incidents of cybercrime and security breaches dominate the news – particularly in connection to our groceries, Professor in Cyber Security, Oli Buckley comments on how online attacks, such as the recent incidents involving M&S, the Co-op, and now major distributor, Peter Green Chilled, pose serious risks to the complex supply chains that sit behind the shelves we shop from.

Front of Marks and Spencer store

“Nobody wants to think of Percy Pig or Colin the Caterpillar being embroiled in cyber crime” – Cyber security expert explains why there is never a quick fix following a cyber attack.

It’s been over two weeks since news broke that retailers Marks & Spencer and the Co-op, were dealing with serious cyber incidents. Both are still experiencing painful repercussions following the attack, with the latter still struggling to get shelves fully stocked in certain areas, and the former unable to process online orders and, more worryingly, announcing that customer data has been stolen. Many are now asking, ‘why hasn’t the situation been fixed yet?’.

strawberry milkshake in a cup

“For ‘sugar tax’ to be truly effective, it must be part of a greater food reform” – expert calls for bigger changes within ‘overwhelmingly complex and often misleading food environment’

The government announced last week that they are consulting on proposals to extend the sugar tax that is currently applied to fizzy drinks, to include pre-packaged milk-based drinks, as well as non-dairy substitutes such as oat or rice milks.

toddler eating from a food pouch

Public health expert offers guidance after baby food pouches found lacking in key nutrients

A new BBC Panorama investigation that aired early this week revealed that baby food pouches from six major UK brands – including four leading manufacturers and two supermarkets – are failing to meet key nutritional needs for babies and toddlers and are often high in sugar.

Canadian flag and ballot box

“The ‘Trump effect’ led Canadians to choose continuity over change, and technocracy over populism” – expert comments on why Canadians chose Liberal

After the Liberal party’s stunning political turnaround in the 2025 Canadian Election earlier this week, politics and international relations expert, Dr Chris Zebrowski, comments on what swayed the Canadian public towards government newcomer, Mark Carney.

A laptop with a small supermarket trolley sat on the keys and two small cardboard boxes with images of trolleys on them

Why hasn’t the M&S cyber attack chaos been resolved yet? We asked a cyber security expert

More than a week has passed since Marks & Spencer (M&S), one of the UK’s most recognisable retailers, was hit by a major cyber attack.

White House silhouette with economic graphics

“Donald Trump fails to understand that America has prospered for 80 years because global trade agreements have facilitated US companies, to develop technologies and operate across the globe.”

After Donald Trump announced a new set of tariffs that sent economic shockwaves around the world, Dr Huw Edwards, an expert in international economic relations, and trade theory and policy, comments on how Donald Trump’s flawed understanding of economics is not going to make their country great again.

a child, head bowed, with phone in hand

Hit TV series Adolescence: “your child could receive these types of online messages. It's not out of the ordinary” – Loughborough University expert says (VIDEO)

The hit Netflix series, Adolescence, which delivers a hard-hitting storyline around a social media-fuelled killing and the influence of incel subculture, has highlighted the very real concerns children and young people face navigating the online world. 
graphic of america with tariffs on

‘Rise of the Regions’ - a scenario in which countries respond to global trade tensions by retreating into localised production

Later today, Donald Trump is preparing to unveil sweeping tariffs, that analysts fear could push up prices and trigger a trade war. Dr Arman Mazhikeyev, a researcher in international trade, barriers to trade, and regional trade agreements, explains what the economic implications could be for these actions.

close up of person using a wheelchair

“Disabled people are already financially disadvantaged – health-related benefits are essential to many that receive them" - Living standards expert explains the implications of planned welfare cuts

The government has now confirmed their plans, unveiled last week (18 March), to deliver £4.8 billion in savings by making changes to the welfare system. These changes are presented as the largest reform to the country’s welfare system for a generation.
Hand holding phone with security graphics

“Technology wasn’t at fault - the human use of it was” – Cyber security expert explains how easily human mistakes can undermine even the best technical safeguards

The security leak involving some of America’s most senior officials and their military plans, shocked the world earlier this week.

An image showing a BP office in the USA.

Loughborough renewable expert critical of BP decision to focus on oil and gas production

A Loughborough University academic has criticised BP’s decision to increase investment into oil and gas whilst cutting funding for renewable energy.
hand holding energy bill

Fuel poverty expert explains why support is desperately needed to deal with rising energy bills

Yet another increase to the energy price cap was announced yesterday, adding further pressure to household incomes, amidst an array of rising bills and costs.

Illustration of a mobile phone with a shield displaying a lock above it, indicating security.

Cyber security expert reacts to Apple's Advanced Data Protection removal: "Ultimately, once a door exists, it’s only a matter of time before it’s found and used maliciously"

Apple has removed its highest level data security tool - 'Advanced Data Protection (ADP)' -  from customers in the UK, after the government demanded access to user data.
A football on a field

Loughborough expert “not surprised” by Arteta’s Carabao ball comments

A Loughborough University expert says he’s “not surprised” Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has suggested there are differences in the footballs used in the Carabao Cup and the Premier League.
An upward shot of a building.

Spectral Spaces or Uncanny Places? Loughborough lecturer calls for rekindling of architecture’s intangible connections

A Loughborough University lecturer is calling for a renewed consideration of the relationship between how our buildings are built and the ethereal.
A construction worker looks at a roof with an iPad

Loughborough lecturer says construction industry can learn from downfall of music-sharing giant

A Loughborough University lecturer believes the construction industry can learn from the downfall of a music-sharing platform more than 20 years ago.
Small cubes with the H for hydrogen symbol on

Budget 2024 is a positive step towards achieving NetZero, says Loughborough expert

Loughborough University academics have reacted to Rachel Reeves’ 2024 Budget welcoming her plans for green growth.
Image of the Grenfell Tower after the 2017 fire.

Loughborough University academic calls for significant change following Grenfell findings

A Loughborough University academic has called for significant change after fresh findings into the Grenfell Tower fire were released.
A blue globe with lines going around it, you can see different countries on the globe with lights making them look active

IT outage: Researcher discusses how issue continues to impact airlines and NHS

Andrew Peck, a cyber resilience PhD researcher at Loughborough University who, prior to joining the institute, had a career delivering IT solutions to big industry, healthcare and government, shares his thoughts on the ongoing IT outage issues.

A breaker performing a one handed handstand trick against an orange and pink background with the words

Breaking into the Olympics: Expert weighs in on controversial sport debuting at Paris Games

The world of sport is buzzing with excitement and debate as breaking – a competitive form of breakdancing – prepares to make its Olympic debut at the Paris 2024 Games.
A blue globe with lines going around it, you can see different countries on the globe with lights making them look active

IT outage causes issues across the globe: cyber resilience researchers react

Andrew Peck, a cyber resilience PhD researcher at Loughborough University who, prior to joining the institute, had a career delivering IT solutions to big industry, healthcare and government, and Professor Oli Buckley, an expert in cyber security, have reacted to the IT outage news.