Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues
By Colin Talbot Filed Under: All posts, Featured, Westminster Watch Posted:
The entire Labour Party leadership debate is being framed by the question “how can Labour win again?” But what if it can’t, asks Colin Talbot? There are several reasons for believing it might be impossible for Labour to win an outright majority in the House of Commons again, at least for any foreseeable future. (Let […]
By Mustafa Cirakli Filed Under: All posts, Europe, Featured Posted:
Agreement has been reached over a deal to keep Greece in the Euro, for the time being at least. But, Mustafa Cirakli says, the problems in the country and the whole Eurozone are far from over. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t! Such was the predicament in which the SYRIZA-led Greek government stood in […]
By Jill Rubery Filed Under: All posts, Featured Posted:
Earlier this month David Cameron set out plans to force large firms to reveal data on the gender pay among their staff. Here Jill Rubery explores the possibilities and pitfalls of the policy. The rather surprising conversion of the Cameron government to the need for large organisations to conduct and publish equal pay audits has […]
By Dame Sally Davies Filed Under: All posts, Featured Posted:
Drug resistance and the lack of new antibiotics are creating a potential medical crisis, the government’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Dame Sally Davies warned in this year’s University of Manchester Cockcroft Rutherford Lecture. We are in danger of losing modern medicine. Growing drug resistance among bacteria, viruses and other microbes poses a catastrophic threat to […]
By Bram Vanhoutte Filed Under: All posts, Featured Posted:
In a paper published this week, and covered in the national media, Bram Vanhoutte explores social mobility in England and US. What are the policy implications of these findings? Social mobility, or the difference between the social position of your upbringing and the one you yourself are in, can yield powerful insight into mechanisms that […]
By Colin Talbot Filed Under: All posts, Westminster Watch, Whitehall Watch Posted:
The general consensus is this is a “big” Budget with lots in it. It is, but unfortunately most commentators are missing the really big picture, says Colin Talbot. To be able to grasp what lies behind George Osborne’s ‘Summer Budget’ 2015 you need to remember just two numbers: 43 and 36. 43 Modern advanced economies […]
By David Hulme Filed Under: All posts, Featured Posted:
Professor David Hulme tackles the problem of rising global inequality. Over the past few years there has been a wealth of research demonstrating the perils of inequality – both in the rich world and in developing countries. Studies have shown that increasing levels of inequality bring greater social problems and can act as a brake […]
By John Broderick Filed Under: All posts, Featured, Science and Technology Posted:
As the decision on fracking at Little Plumpton in Lancashire is delayed, Dr John Broderick of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, part of Manchester Energy, considers whether a UK shale gas industry may turn out to be an anachronism. Whether the go-ahead for fracking in Lancashire is given or not, there is little […]
By Stephanie Wallace Filed Under: All posts, Ethnicity Posted:
Ethnic minorities are heavily over-represented at all stages of the criminal justice system. We have to look at the wider structure of inequality to understand why, argues Stephanie Wallace. Two dominant explanations generally account for the over representation of ethnic minority groups in the criminal justice system; ethnic minorities commit more crime and institutionalised racism. […]
By Francesca Gains Filed Under: All posts, Devo Posted:
Greater Manchester this week becomes the first combined metro area to have its own mayor. Professor Francesca Gains looks ahead at what awaits Tony Lloyd. Arrangements to deliver an elected metro mayor for Greater Manchester take several significant steps forward this week. In the House of Lords, the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill moves […]