There are deep-rooted regional inequalities in health and wealth across England. ‘Levelling Up’ is the UK Government’s flagship policy to redress these inequalities through additional investment, with the Community Renewal Fund (CRF) one strand of this funding. In this article, Christine Camacho and Dr Luke Munford examine the allocation of the first round of the […]
The case for a guaranteed basic income pilot in Greater Manchester
While the COVID-19 pandemic and current cost of living crisis has exacerbated social inequalities and economic insecurity, it has also opened a window of opportunity to explore new forms of policy innovation to build back a fairer and more economically secure society. In this blog and in a new report for the Work and Equalities […]
Child of the North: Pregnancy and early years
Evidence makes it clear that exposure to adversity and stress has vast potential to negatively influence the trajectory of a person’s health and wellbeing throughout their life. In this blog, Professor Pamela Qualter and Dr Anna Sanders present the key findings of a Child of the North report, co-authored with colleagues from Newcastle, Bradford, Sheffield, […]
From lives vs. the economy to lives vs. lives: Global South lessons on reframing the lockdown debate
During the weeks of lockdown in the UK, the Government has talked about the balancing act between saving lives and saving the economy. But is it right to talk about these two things as if they are completely separate? In this blog, Dr Juan Manuel del Nido explores the interdependency between lives and the economy, […]
Fuel poverty and low-carbon investment: a role for area-based policy?
The GMCA plans to launch a five year plan for carbon neutrality in Greater Manchester by 2038 at the Green Summit today. Stefan Bouzarovski, Professor of Human Geography, will be hosting a discussion table at the public sector space within the Green Summit. Here, he blogs about the importance of area-based fuel poverty and energy […]
Can Greater Manchester blaze the trail with an inclusive local industrial strategy?
Greater Manchester (GM) is one of a handful of ‘trailblazer’ areas selected to work with government on a local industrial strategy (LIS), due to be signed off in a few weeks’ time. As deliberations enter their final stages, Ruth Lupton, Head of the Inclusive Growth Analysis Unit (IGAU), looks at how the strategy might shape […]
Is primary healthcare a hostile environment? The barriers facing asylum seekers and refugees accessing general practitioners in the UK
Dr Louise Tomkow is a Geriatric Registrar in the Northwest deanery and a PhD researcher exploring migration and health at the Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute, The University of Manchester. Dr Rebecca Farrington is a General Practitioner working with asylum seekers and refugees and a Senior Clinical Lecturer at The University of Manchester. In their blog they highlight how: […]
Why is government progress on fuel poverty stalling in England?
In a recent report, the Committee on Fuel Poverty highlighted that progress on fuel poverty in England is stalling. On Fuel Poverty Awareness Day, Caitlin Robinson, Lecturer in Geography, reflects on reasons for this lack of progress and envisions a more ambitious approach to tackling fuel poverty. There is no typical profile of a fuel […]
Children at the food bank – a startling picture of food insecurity in the UK
While undertaking research in food banks in Northwest England, Dr Kingsley Purdam and colleagues witnessed the ‘shocking’ sight of children visiting with their parents. It is likely that much of the food insecurity in the UK is hidden – particularly amongst families. Given the predicted increase in child poverty, it is likely that we will […]
Less for your money? Differences in essential living costs for poorer families
The recent Bank of England evidence on the record levels of personal debt that have accumulated since the 2008 economic crash highlight the financial vulnerability of many people across the UK. Research by the University of Manchester into everyday living costs for those with limited financial resources is being launched with the End Child Poverty […]