Policy@Manchester Blogs

Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues

Policy@Manchester Blogs
Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues

“I don’t do anything”: It’s time to place more emphasis on strength training in later life

By Filed Under: Health and Care, Health and Social Care Posted:

Since 2011, the UK Chief Medical Officers’ (CMOs) guidelines on physical activity have included strength recommendations. However, there is limited evidence that these recommendations are getting through to those who need them. In this blog, Dr Ashley Gluchowski outlines how older adults are engaging with the guidelines, and whether more can be done by public […]

Health inequalities and regional productivity

By and Filed Under: Growth and Inclusion, Health and Care, Levelling up, OnProductivity Posted:

The health of those living in the north is worse than those living in the south, and this inequality is reflected in the comparative economic performance as well. The regional inequality in economic performance is prominent throughout the United Kingdom. In this blog, Dr Luke Munford and Professor Clare Bambra explore the links between health […]

Advancing cell and gene therapies: Levelling-up life sciences investment in the North-West

By and Filed Under: All posts, Health and Care, Levelling up, Research and development, Science and Technology Posted:

Life sciences – including new cancer treatments – forms a central pillar of the UK Government’s post-Brexit plan for science and technology. But how could this focus also play a role in another key tenet of British policymaking; the levelling-up agenda? In this blog, adapted from our On Cancer publication, Professor Fiona Thistlethwaite and Professor […]

Local employment charters: re-defining productivity with employers?

By Filed Under: Growth and Inclusion, Inclusive Growth, OnProductivity Posted:

The COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on the harsh reality of insecure working conditions that many workers – particularly those in the front line – are subject to. Good employment charters are one way to ensure the security of good work. Implementing good employment charters in local policy agendas can increase productivity and develop more […]

Child of the North: Child mental wellbeing

By , , , and Filed Under: Education, Health and Care, Health and Social Care Posted:

Children’s mental health and wellbeing was deteriorating prior to COVID-19, but there was significant decline during the pandemic, particularly in the North of England. This blog post covers the collaboration between Professor Pamela Qualter, Professor Matt Sutton, Stephanie Gillibrand, Professor Neil Humphrey and Dr Ola Demkowicz in their study of children’s mental health, originally published […]

Woman by heater in energy crisis

Generating solutions: responses and reforms for the energy price crisis

By Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Energy and Environment, Renewables, Science and Technology Posted:

The UK and Europe are facing rapid increases in energy prices from what were already high levels. While the UK has committed to an energy price cap until April 2023, beyond this date only targeted support for the poorest households is likely to be affordable. In this blog, Dr Ed Manderson explains the impact that […]

Child of the North: The economic impacts of child health

By and Filed Under: Health and Care, Health and Social Care, Levelling up, UK economy Posted:

The economic performance of the North of England consistently lags behind the national average. One factor that could partly explain this ‘productivity gap’ is the poorer physical and mental health of children in the North, along with a widening educational gap, with long-lasting impacts on the labour market. In this blog, Dr Rose Atkins and […]

nuclear power station

How can nuclear help with energy costs – and how do we pay for nuclear?

By Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Energy and Environment, Science and Engineering Posted:

Europe is struggling through a period of exorbitant energy prices. In addition to directly hitting consumers with a higher cost of living, high energy prices will also have detrimental effects on business and industry. In this blog, Will Bodel from the Dalton Nuclear Institute examines the role of nuclear energy in reducing the cost of […]

On productivity and Net Zero

By Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment, Growth and Inclusion, Industry 4.0, OnProductivity, Renewables, Science and Engineering, UK economy Posted:

The UK government has assigned itself with the tasks of boosting productivity in left-behind areas and transitioning to a net-zero economy. In this blog, Professor Jonatan Pinkse explores how the UK can simultaneously improve its standards of productivity regionally while transitioning to a net-zero economy. His policy recommendations include securing green jobs and not using […]

Saving lives and money through early detection: Lynch syndrome case study

By Filed Under: Health and Care, Health and Social Care Posted:

A new national standard for cancer testing in England and Wales (NICE ‘Diagnostic Guidance 42’) was published in October 2020, following a successful policy engagement campaign from Professor Emma Crosbie’s team at The University of Manchester, and Policy@Manchester. In this piece, adapted from our On Cancer publication, Professor Crosbie explains why this is just the […]

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Blog posts give the views of the author, and are not necessarily those of The University of Manchester.

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