Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues
By Ingrid Storm Filed Under: All posts Posted:
New research drawing on European survey data finds that religious decline does not equal moral decline. Dr Ingrid Storm explains why involvement in religion makes most difference to morality in the most religious countries, and matters less for moral values now than it did in the 1980s. A recent report by the Commission on Religion […]
By Piers Dawes Filed Under: All posts Posted:
The key to reducing dementia and sensory loss in later years may lie in improving experiences in the earliest years, explains Piers Dawes. Dementia, hearing impairment and vision loss are amongst the most feared, most costly and difficult to treat problems in elderly people. One way of avoiding cognitive and sensory impairment in old age […]
By Anna Coleman Filed Under: All posts, Devo Posted:
There is a wealth of important knowledge to be gained from the devolution of health and social care services across Manchester, says Dr Anna Coleman. Whether national policymakers, other regions interested in pursuing similar devolution arrangements, or those actively involved in Devo Manc itself, there are a lot of people taking a very close interest […]
By Ilias Alami Filed Under: All posts Posted:
Is the world on the verge of a new financial crisis? Ilias Alami looks at the data and finds a precarious situation. While a variety of economic and financial indicators increasingly paint a bleak picture, the upcoming policy choices in developed countries will have far-reaching consequences for global financial stability. In the so-called developed countries, […]
By James Pattison Filed Under: All posts Posted:
On Wednesday, the House of Commons debated for ten hours about whether the UK should intervene in Syria against ISIS. Here James Pattison explores the ethics of their decision. Numerous MPs stood up and offered their impassioned views. But most of these were oddly unstructured and badly reasoned, and failed to take into account glaringly […]
By Simon Chin-Yee Filed Under: All posts, Featured, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:
Change is inevitable, but climate change is damaging. Simon Chin-Yee argues that as the COP21 discussions continue in Paris, we must adapt to limit the damage being caused by climate change. Mark Twain once said: “I’m all for progress, its change I object to.” What is it about human nature that makes us averse to […]
By Kevin Anderson Filed Under: All posts Posted:
As the Paris COP21 negotiations continue, Kevin Anderson, who is in France for the conference, gives his views. Paris will witness frenetic discussion centred ostensibly on the long-established 2°C temperature threshold between ‘acceptable’ and ‘dangerous’ climate change. However, as a citizen concerned with the moral framing of climate change, I consider the 2°C increase above the […]
By Sarah Mander Filed Under: All posts Posted:
As the Paris COP21 climate negotiations begin next week, Clair Gough and Sarah Mander examine George Osborne’s autumn statement and assess its green credentials. Only days before the start of the COP21 climate negotiations in Paris, the UK Government clearly signals just how unwilling it is to make the investments required to support the 2°C objective of […]
By Andy Westwood Filed Under: All posts, Whitehall Watch Posted:
Andy Westwood assesses a political transformation in the wake of the Autumn Statement. 2012 really was a big year for Britain. Politically, it was the moment that George Osborne tanked. First with the ‘Omnishambles’ Budget and its ill conceived Granny and Pasty taxes and second with a round booing at the Olympic Park. But it […]
By Diane Coyle Filed Under: All posts, Whitehall Watch Posted:
The day after George Osborne’s Comprehensive Spending Review, Diane Coyle picks out the winners and losers. One of the most important attributes a Chancellor of the Exchequer can have is to be lucky. Lucky, that is, in all the aspects of the economy that are outside the control of the government – which is most […]