Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues
By Ralitza Dimova Filed Under: All posts Posted:
Fairtrade Fortnight kicks off today and this year we are being asked to organise a Fairtrade breakfast in support of the farmers who grow the food we have every morning, like coffee, tea, cocoa and bananas. Support for poor farmers is to be welcomed, but is Fairtrade getting it right asks Ralitza Dimova? I believe […]
By Clarissa Giebel Filed Under: All posts Posted:
One of the key objectives of the National Dementia Strategy is improving well-being, but carer burden and depression among isolated people living with dementia, is a major barrier. More social activities and improved carer support is greatly needed to deliver this important goal, argues Clarissa Giebel. Dementia affects over 850,000 in the UK alone. But […]
By Steve Furber Filed Under: All posts, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:
Research into new drugs for brain disease is being held back because of a lack of fundamental understanding and models of brain function argues Steve Furber, who explains why policy makers and researchers worldwide should make computer modelling part of the solution. Brain diseases cost the developed economies more than heart diseases, cancer and diabetes […]
Digital technologies have seen rapid uptake, across most of our world. So are developing countries seeing the benefits? If not, why not? The World Bank recently published its World Development Report 2016 Digital Dividends. Richard Heeks considers whether this major report accurately reflects the digital revolution and its impact on global development. Some years back, when […]
By David Hulme Filed Under: All posts Posted:
Oxfam’s annual inequality report reveals that the richest 1% now have as much wealth as the rest of the world combined. And the wealthiest 62 people on the planet have as much wealth as the poorest half of the global population. Professor David Hulme examines this extreme fiscal inequality and asks what can we do […]
By Jill Stocks Filed Under: All posts Posted:
There is a high prevalence of potentially hazardous prescribing among some GP practices, a new research study published in the British Medical Journal has found. One of the authors, Dr Jill Stocks, explains the findings. Safe prescribing of medication is one of the most essential roles of GPs, yet our team’s research has found both […]
By Jonathan Darling Filed Under: All posts, Urban Posted:
No-one would say it was easy to agree public policy for the thorny issue of housing asylum seekers. But, argues Jonathan Darling, a recent news story shows just how urgent it is that a change of emphasis takes place. Last week, officials from the Home Office visited Middlesbrough to inspect properties used to house asylum […]
By Hollie Ashworth Filed Under: All posts, Featured, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:
Radioactive waste is a controversial topic. But understanding the difference between historic and new wastes would produce a more informed debate, explains Hollie Ashworth. Whenever there is talk about new-build nuclear power stations, there is also talk about the cost of cleaning-up radioactive waste. People often correctly quote figures for the cost of cleaning-up radioactive […]
By Jonas Amtoft Bruun Filed Under: All posts, Featured, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:
COP 21 is good news – but only to a point, argues Jonas Amtoft Bruun. “We have an agreement.” Those redeeming words from French foreign minister Laurent Fabius in the evening of Saturday 12 December unleashed a wave of standing ovations from high level UN staff, delegates and observers from business and civil society. Preceding […]
By Sharon Spooner Filed Under: All posts Posted:
Morale in UK general practice has dropped to a low ebb and a shortage of doctors is blamed for an increasing proportion of practices seeking to avoid accepting new patients. Yet week after week around 40,000 NHS GPs continue to work. Researcher and part-time GP Sharon Spooner explores the nature and significance of what motivates […]