The global pandemic of 2020 has had a huge impact on the lives of millions of citizens around the world, with research showing that children and young people (CYP) have been the most severely affected. Here in the UK and beyond, governments and policymakers are expressing their determination to ‘build back better’ after COVID-19, while […]
Rise to the top: Socially responsible public procurement
Amidst the social and economic challenges of a post-Brexit, post-COVID landscape, public procurement is gaining increased visibility and legitimacy as a policy tool. Effective 1 January 2021, the UK is positioned to become the first nation in the world to mandate that taxpayer-funded contracts are fully leveraged to maximise social value. A minimum 10% weighting […]
Recognising the role of key workers now and in the future employment landscape
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the country has become more aware and appreciative of the workers now called ‘key workers’. However, organisational change and deregulation over recent years has led to high levels of job degradation in key work sectors. In this blog, Gail Hebson and Miguel Martínez Lucio introduce and present research from a range […]
Building back a gender balanced better – devolution, growth and equalities
As the initial period of lockdown is slowly relaxed, the policy agenda in all parts of the UK is turning to examine recovery from the economic devastation caused by the pandemic. Policymakers in our major city regions are considering how to start up and stimulate economic activity where safe to do so; help firms and […]
Build in haste, repent at leisure? Post-pandemic planning at the precipice
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to discussions on what shape planning should take post-crisis. Here, Prof Iain White, Prof Graham Haughton, and Dr Nuno Pinto outline how current regulations have exacerbated difficulties for some people in lockdown, discuss how opportunistic developers or politicians may seek to hijack the policy responses, and suggest solutions to ensure […]
How can Greater Manchester tackle social Isolation among older Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people?
Researchers Dr Camilla Lewis and Natalie Cotterell from The University of Manchester outline the key findings from their report into isolation among older Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people in Greater Manchester. Earlier this year Greater Manchester was recognised as the UK’s first age-friendly city-region. However, economic, social and health inequalities remain entrenched among […]
Democracy on the Line?
Kingsley Purdam and Rob Ford from The University of Manchester use the Manchester Metrolink map to show levels of voter turnout and ask if there will be more or less local democracy in 2018. The 2018 local elections across England will be held in May, but despite their importance for policy they are likely to […]
Why it’s time to address workplace racism as a matter of health and safety
Fifty years on from the UK’s first piece of legislation outlawing racial discrimination in employment, Stephen Ashe & James Nazroo look at what’s changed and whether racism in the workplace needs to be looked at in a different light. It has been shown repeatedly that reoccurring exposure to racism has serious negative long-term effects on […]
Where next for SPL: reflections on the Women and Equalities Committee’s ‘Fathers and the Workplace’ inquiry recommendations
Parliament’s Women and Equalities Committee today released its report from the Fathers and the Workplace inquiry which highlights the difficulties dads have in balancing their careers and childcare responsibilities. Dr Emma Banister from Alliance Manchester Business School and Dr Ben Kerrane from Lancaster University Management School give us their thoughts on the report’s recommendations. It […]
Industrial Strategy white paper – Welcome progress, but problems remain
On Monday 27th November, the UK government published its long-await Industrial Strategy white paper. Here, Policy@Manchester Co-Director and member of the independent Industrial Strategy Commission, Professor Diane Coyle, reflects on what the document gets right and where challenges remain if the UK economy is to secure a prosperous and productive future for all. The Government’s […]