British Politics

The impact of inequalities in later life

By Anna Dixon Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Growth and Inclusion Posted: July 19, 2017

As part of our series of blogs examining The Manchester Institute for Collaborative Research on Ageing’s (MICRA) new report ‘The Golden Generation?’ Anna Dixon, Chief Executive at the Centre for Ageing Better assesses the importance of inequality to this debate. There is a 19-year difference in healthy life expectancy between the richest and poorest neighbourhoods. The poorest […]

Women in local government: time is on the side of change

By Angeliki Stogia Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Growth and Inclusion Posted: July 18, 2017

Last week, the Fawcett Society, in partnership with the Local Government Information Unit, released a report into whether local government works for women. Here, Cllr Angeliki Stogia, Executive Member for Environment and Skills at Manchester City Council, looks at the report’s recommendations and reflects on Manchester’s path to women’s political representation. We need a range […]

Industrial Strategy and skills: getting it right this time?

By Andy Westwood Filed Under: British Politics Posted: July 10, 2017

The independent Industrial Strategy Commission has today issued its emerging findings (.pdf). Commissioner Professor Andy Westwood describes why ambition alone won’t be enough for its proposed skills reforms. The Industrial Strategy’s technical education proposals will be the 29th major reform of skills since the 1980s This reflects a long-term UK weaknesses in skills – especially technical […]

A Greater Manchester approach to tackling radicalisation

By Ajmal Hussain Filed Under: All posts, British Politics Posted: July 4, 2017

As part of a series of blogs, articles and interviews, examining issues of citizenship and community, Dr Ajmal Hussain, Research Fellow in Sociology at The University of Manchester uses his work with young Muslims to reflect on the challenges facing Greater Manchester in addressing radicalisation. The new Mayor, Andy Burnham, has a timely opportunity to […]

All or nothing: new survey shows polarised views on immigration

By Rob Ford Filed Under: All posts, Brexit, British Politics Posted: July 3, 2017

Last week, the results of the British Attitudes Survey were published. Here, Professor Rob Ford who authored the survey’s chapter on immigration, looks at what the results mean for attitudes and potential policies around immigration. There has been a sharp increase in the share of Brits who see both the economic and labour market impacts […]

The Conservative and DUP deal: a pick ‘n’ mix approach to equality

By Elaine Dewhurst Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Growth and Inclusion Posted: June 27, 2017

As pundits and politicians across the UK try to digest and interpret the confidence and supply deal with between the Conservatives and the DUP, Dr. Elaine Dewhurst considers the implications of the deal for equality legislation and lays out a way forwards for equality and human rights in the UK. There is a distinct […]

GP-led commissioning of health services: here to stay or gone tomorrow?

By Kath Checkland and Valerie Moran Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Health and Social Care Posted: June 21, 2017

A survey of GPs suggests that only a minority think that commissioning services is an important part of their role, and that many current GP leaders of Clinical Commissioning Groups intend to quit their roles in the next five years. Professor Kath Checkland and Dr Valerie Moran blog for us on their study, and the […]

Increased diversity in Parliament: the case for centralising candidate nominations

By Maria Sobolewska Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Ethnicity, Growth and Inclusion Posted: June 19, 2017

The general election earlier this month saw another record breaking increase in the ethnic diversity of Members of Parliament. Here, Maria Sobolewska looks at what lead to this increased diversity and lays out a path for further progress. The main difference between the 2015 and 2017 elections was how the candidates were selected The Representative […]

Attachment, community and social investment – giving children a future at home and abroad

By Peter Fahy Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Growth and Inclusion Posted: June 15, 2017

The annual Cockcroft Rutherford Lecture is the flagship event for alumni and friends of The University of Manchester. This year’s lecture (which can be viewed in full, here) was delivered by Sir Peter Fahy, former Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police. The theme of his lecture was the importance of the best start in life […]

How can a human development approach inform debates on Greater Manchester’s future?

By Jill Rubery Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Growth and Inclusion, Urban Posted: June 14, 2017

On June 14th the University of Manchester is publishing a Human Development Report for Greater Manchester. Here, Jill Rubery lays out why the report is important and some of its key findings. Human development means putting people at the centre. This means putting social goals into investment decisions, developing a longer term approach and focusing […]