British Politics

Why English football needs a climate game plan

By James Jackson Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Energy and Environment, Environment Posted: July 17, 2026

How to make football more sustainable is an issue that faces English football, spotlighted in summer 2026 with the World Cup. Following the Football Governance Act in 2025 and the formation of the Independent Football Regulator, Dr James Jackson suggests a series of policy recommendations to make football more sustainable. Football can prioritise sustainability by, […]

Giving low-paid workers a voice: will the Employment Rights Act deliver?

By Emma Hughes, Tony Dundon and Debra Howcroft Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Inclusive Growth Posted: July 14, 2026

Worker voice has a direct impact on whether employees experience ‘good work’ in the workplace. This issue is especially pertinent given that the recent Employment Rights Act aims to strengthen working conditions and improve job quality, notably for lower paid workers. In this article, Dr Emma Hughes, Professor Tony Dundon and Professor Debra Howcroft highlight […]

Why the under-16 social media ban needs a price tag: the case for a Digital Harm Levy

By Mihaela Popa-Wyatt Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Digital Futures, Science and Technology Posted: June 19, 2026

The UK government have announced a ban on social media for under-16s, taking effect Spring 2027. The ban is a significant step. It is also, on its own, incomplete. It addresses who can access social media. It does not address what social media does to those who do, including the children who will find ways […]

How the Policing White Paper can deliver for police productivity

By Bart van Ark and Joel Hoskins Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Urban Posted: March 12, 2026

The Public Accounts Committee recently painted a concerning picture of policing in England and Wales. Forces are drawing down reserves, spending a greater proportion of revenue on financing debt, and operating under an outdated funding formula. Into this fragile landscape comes the new Policing White Paper. It promises a radical structural overhaul, including a new […]

The abuse of women runners: Implications for the violence against women and girls policy agenda

By Caroline Miles and Rose Broad Filed Under: All posts, British Politics Posted: November 4, 2024

New research at The University of Manchester has found that over two-thirds of women runners across Greater Manchester and Merseyside have experienced abuse. This has taken the form of physical and sexual assaults, verbal abuse, being followed, flashing, and harassment, with only 5% reporting it to the police. This briefing highlights key findings, along with […]

Harnessing Digital Solutions for Sustainable Housing Expansion: A GIS-Powered Approach

By Richard Kingston Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Cities and Environment, Digital Futures, Environment Posted: October 17, 2024

The UK government has committed to an ambitious housing strategy of building 1.5 million homes over the next five years to address the chronic housing shortage exacerbated by rising demand, affordability and population growth. This plan must also rectify long-term structural challenges in the housing market whilst ensuring homes are built sustainably. Here, Professor Richard Kingston […]

Re-professionalising teaching: addressing authorisation, accountability and attrition

By Louisa Dawes and Andrew Howes Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Education Posted: September 30, 2024

Teacher recruitment and retention is currently in a critical state – as outlined by The National Foundation for Educational Research’s (NFER) 2024 report on the teacher labour market in England. This puts at risk the quality of education that children and young people receive. In this article, Andrew Howes and Louisa Dawes acknowledge the Labour […]

A raised platform – regulating the digital economy

By Luke Yates Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Cities and Environment, Digital Futures, UK economy, Urban Posted: September 19, 2024

Digital economy businesses have grown rapidly in the last 10-15 years, transforming how we work, travel, consume, and contract workers. Some impacts have been problematic, with growth of short-term lettings platforms reducing access to housing, and gig economy platforms increasing the precariousness of work. In this article, Dr Luke Yates outlines research findings on how […]

Clean energy superpower – and climate action kryptonite

By Matthew Paterson Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Energy and Environment, Environment Posted: September 18, 2024

The government have identified climate action as a core mission set out in their manifesto. Framing this in terms of Britain becoming a ‘clean energy superpower’ has generated considerable initiative around renewed climate action, but in this article, Professor Matthew Paterson outlines how this approach creates policy gaps – and potential political problems. Labour has […]

Women’s safety and the housing crisis

By Isis Barei-Guyot, Alison Briggs and Elizabeth Ackerley Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Urban Posted: September 2, 2024

Austerity measures along with other intersecting crises have resulted in challenges for individuals and organisations supporting the safety of women experiencing homelessness in Manchester and elsewhere. The public funding lost as a result of austerity policies has dealt a severe blow to deprived local authorities in the north of England, resulting in the stripping back […]