Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues
The development of equality and human rights is vital for the way work and employment are structured and organised. Despite the development of the Employment Rights Bill, the UK has not seen a systematic development of equality strategies, with workers’ experiences differing between private and public sectors and a lack of clear and formal legal […]
By Cecilia Wong, Mark Baker and Sui Zhang Filed Under: All posts, Growth and Inclusion, Urban Posted:
After the last of three waves of new towns were designated, the British new towns project essentially halted in the late 1960s – until now. Government have placed the serious development of new towns firmly back on the agenda with the establishment of a New Towns Taskforce (NTT). In this article, Professor Mark Baker, Sui […]
By Cathy Atkinson, Sarah MacQuarrie and Amy Phillips Filed Under: All posts, Growth and Inclusion, Health and Social Care, Urban Posted:
Policy dialogue around children, young people and education often focuses on either wellbeing or attainment. But play is a fundamental part of childhood and adolescence, recognised as fuelling learning, development and wellbeing. The establishment of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Play could mark a turning point by placing play higher on the political agenda […]
By Mithila Achintha Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Levelling up, Science and Engineering Posted:
Emissions from the construction and use of buildings contribute about 40% of global carbon emissions. As other sectors decarbonise, buildings-related emissions are projected to account for around 90% of global emissions by 2050. In the UK, four fifths of buildings around today are expected to still be in use in 2050. With the UK having […]
By Ellen Schafheutle Filed Under: Health and Social Care Posted:
Community pharmacies are invaluable assets, especially in areas with high deprivation or limited access to general practice. To relieve pressures in the NHS in England, pharmacies are increasingly integrated into neighbourhood and primary care services. It is important that these services are of good, consistent quality, which the Pharmacy Quality Scheme (PQS) aims to incentivise. […]
By Chae-Young Kim and Carlo Raffo Filed Under: All posts, Growth and Inclusion, Urban Posted:
Addressing the impacts of socioeconomic inequality on children and young people has been a key priority for successive UK governments across recent decades, particularly in response to wider concerns about development, wellbeing, and prospects for upward social mobility. The current government’s mission, ‘Break Down Barriers to Opportunity’, reaffirms this commitment and outlines key focus areas […]
By Dlzar Al Kez and Aoife Foley Filed Under: Cities and Environment, Digital Futures, Energy and Environment, Environment, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:
Data centres are rapidly becoming one of the most energy- and water-intensive components of the digital economy, yet their cooling systems remain largely invisible in infrastructure and climate policy. While advanced cooling technologies can significantly reduce energy and resource use, the UK lacks a national framework to guide their adoption or measure their environmental impact. […]
By Maria Sharmina, Xintong Cao and Rosa Cuéllar-Franca Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Environment, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:
The global transition to net zero hinges on securing minerals such as lithium and cobalt, which are critical for use in renewable energy technologies. Despite its rich mining heritage and expertise, the UK faces challenges in rebuilding a resilient and ethical critical minerals sector. The UK government has emphasised the importance of securing supplies of […]
By Imelda McDermott and Sharon Spooner Filed Under: All posts, Health and Social Care Posted:
The NHS 10 Year Plan outlines a strategic vision for the NHS workforce, which aims to create a more motivated and skilled workforce by 2035, achieved through personalised career development plans and a shift from ‘train to role’ towards ‘train to task’. Here, Dr Imelda McDermott and Dr Sharon Spooner provide lessons learned from their […]
By Arijit De, Yu-wang Chen and Richard Allmendinger Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Science and Technology Posted:
The maritime industry is a significant contributor to global carbon emissions, and therefore a key barrier to the UK’s mission to become a Clean Energy Superpower. In this article, Dr Arijit De, Prof. Yu-Wang Chen and Prof. Richard Allmendinger outline their research from The University of Manchester on AI-powered maritime solutions that can address these […]
