Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues
By Francesca Gains Filed Under: All posts Posted:
Thursday 5 May is a ‘Super Thursday’ for all kinds of non-Westminster elections, with candidates running for office for London Assembly and Mayor, many local authorities, the Scottish Parliament, Welsh and Northern Ireland Assemblies. Polling also takes place for 40 of the 41 Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in England and Wales – but as […]
By Geoff Pearson Filed Under: All posts Posted:
The Hillsborough Inquest concluded that 96 football fans were unlawfully killed as a result of a series of catastrophic failures by the police and ambulance services. Geoff Pearson says now it’s time for a shake-up of the laws and regulations governing football matches to prevent dangerous crowd management strategies. The finding from last week’s inquest was […]
By Nicolette Butler Filed Under: All posts, Europe Posted:
One of the biggest bones of contention in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership talks centres on the proposed Investment Court System. Critics are concerned that the ‘investor-state dispute settlement’ mechanism could weaken the power of governments to act in the best interests of their people. Whilst the EU Commission has sought to allay critics […]
By Gabriel Siles-Brügge Filed Under: All posts, Europe Posted:
Controversy surrounding the UK’s trading relationship with the US continues, following President Barack Obama’s visit here. Whilst investment protection remains the key issue in the EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) talks, Gabriel Siles-Brügge argues that a key danger is being ignored: the agreement’s cross-cutting regulatory provisions. This week sees the 13th round of […]
By Francis Livens Filed Under: All posts, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:
Today marks the 30-year anniversary of the nuclear accident at Chernobyl. There are important lessons for governments to learn from the nuclear incidents of the past. The implications of their actions have significant and far-reaching consequences, says Francis Livens, as he reflects on his own experiences of the events during spring 1986. I find it […]
By Claire Hoolohan and Maria Sharmina Filed Under: All posts Posted:
Land provides a wide range of goods and services to society. But with multiple demands placed on our land, both now and into the future, Claire Hoolohan and Maria Sharmina ask why are land-use policies failing to make the most of UK land? Land is an invaluable resource that sustains much of the UK economy […]
The unprecedented leak of 11.5 million files at the centre of the Panama Papers scandal has caused headlines around the world and a headache for many rich and powerful people, including our own Prime Minister. But what was surprising, argues Dr Nicholas Lord, was not just the sheer size of the leak, but that the […]
Leeds was once lauded as an innovator in respect of city-regional governance. But, argues Iain Deas, while recent accounts have emphasised local disagreement about the geography of devolution deals, it is possible to interpret Yorkshire’s experience in a more positive light. Recent media coverage of devolution deals in Yorkshire has highlighted conflict around rival proposals […]
By Jill Rubery Filed Under: All posts Posted:
The government has just released its Equality Analysis of the contract it intends to impose on junior doctors. Its ‘tortured logic’ reveals much about what the government really thinks about gender equality and work and family life issues, argues Jill Rubery. If you delve into the 38-page document from the Department of Health, and work […]
By Francesca Gains Filed Under: All posts, Devo Posted:
There are democratic gains to be made from the election of a Greater Manchester mayor, argues Francesca Gains – but only if the right checks and balances are built in. On 5 May vast swathes of the country will go to the polls. Voters will elect a new mayor and assembly members in Greater London, […]
