Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues
By Alexandra Albert Filed Under: All posts Posted:
As the Treasury announces plans this week to allocate another £5bn to boost housebuilding and measures to speed up the planning process, Alexandra Albert says we must also demand action on the hundreds of thousands of homes lying empty. As this week’s announcements show, the housing crisis remains a primary concern for policymakers, as well […]
By Yaron Matras Filed Under: All posts, Brexit Posted:
In the wake of Brexit, universities have a duty to promote the benefits of linguistic diversity more than ever, says Yaron Matras. Brexit represents the triumph of insularity and isolationism – that is the view shared by most of those who promote the teaching and learning of modern languages in Britain. The anti-immigration rhetoric, which […]
By Graham Whitham Filed Under: All posts, Inclusive Growth Posted:
The current simplistic approach to measuring economic growth has led to policy being narrowly focused on headline measures of economic activity rather than achieving positive economic and social outcomes for the population, says Graham Whitham. Tomorrow, when the latest UK economic accounts are released for scrutiny, local planners and stakeholders will be keen to see […]
By Steve Courtney Filed Under: All posts Posted:
Steven Courtney asks how can we make sense of an education policy that runs so clearly counter to the policy objectives of enhancing social justice set out by Theresa May in her first speech as Prime Minister ? The problem of sense making The question of whether to have grammar schools is not one where the […]
By William Whittaker Filed Under: All posts Posted:
Failures in patient access to primary care has been suggested as a root cause of the current A&E crisis and was one of the motivating factors for the Government’s 7-day GP services policy. The logic was that improved access would help to relieve pressure on A&E and other emergency services. But is this best use […]
By Anthony Redmond Filed Under: All posts Posted:
First aid saves lives, yet still we read reports of emergencies where bystanders failed to act. New research highlights an urgent need for the public to be more widely educated in first aid so we take action when it matters most says Anthony Redmond. While the treatment of injured patients has improved significantly in recent […]
By Dame Nancy Rothwell Filed Under: All posts, Brexit Posted:
In the wake of the Brexit vote, universities must redouble their efforts to demonstrate how they are using public money to improve society and people’s lives, argues Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell. Universities must do more to encourage, support and reward public engagement. As public institutions in receipt of millions of pounds of taxpayer funds, this […]
By Helen Gunter Filed Under: All posts Posted:
This week the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published its report comparing education systems worldwide and its Head of Education questioned the evidence for selection as a way of improving schools. Those who attended grammar schools such as Theresa May, argues Helen Gunter, make claims disconnected from research evidence and based on their […]
By Andrew Karvonen, James Evans and Rob Raven Filed Under: All posts Posted:
The UK housing crisis is a key challenge for our times – demand far outstrips supply and Ministers are seeking solutions, such as plans to create new ‘garden cities’. But are policy-makers taking enough notice of the urban experiments that have already taken place around the world and are the right questions being asked? James […]
By Mel Ainscow Filed Under: All posts Posted:
It’s rare for a public policy consultation paper to shock, but proposals from the UK Government to expand the provision of grammar schools have caused a storm of protest. Mel Ainscow believes this is a dangerous distraction and argues that more collaboration in schools, not increasing segregation, is what our children need. The decision […]