Featured – Page 19

Police and Crime Commissioners – Lessons for devolution?

By Francesca Gains and Vivien Lowndes Filed Under: Featured, Westminster Watch Posted: December 2, 2014

As Chancellor George Osborne finalises arrangements for devolved funding in the run-up to the Autumn Statement, Francesca Gains and Vivien Lowndes ask what can be learnt from the experience of Police and Crime Commissioners in their first two years. Two years ago, 41 directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners for England and Wales took office, […]

Time for better treatment of people with learning disabilities

By Barbara Perry Filed Under: Featured Posted: November 28, 2014

There is more evidence than needed to prove that many people with learning disabilities are treated badly and without respect in NHS-provided facilities, argues Barbara Perry. A campaign is seeking to provide people with learning disabilities, and their families, with stronger legal rights. Eighteen year old Connor Sparrowhawk was found dead in a bath at Slade […]

How can you identify as Irish on the census if you are not white?

By Lindsey Garratt Filed Under: Ethnicity, Featured Posted: November 27, 2014

The census allows people to identify as Irish only if they are also white. What about the growing number of ethnic minority Irish?, asks Lindsey Garratt. When I moved to the UK from the Republic of Ireland in August 2012, I filled in an application to privately rent a house. The form contained a question […]

Understanding online threats in the internet age

By David Omand Filed Under: Featured Posted: November 26, 2014

The internet is more than an enabling technology: it also enables criminals and terrorists to do evil in ways that were never before possible, explains Sir David Omand. The internet presents a range of challenges and threats that are new – for the individual, for businesses and for governments. Let us consider human activity today […]

Challenging the myth of religious violence

By Kate Cooper Filed Under: Featured Posted: November 25, 2014

Religion is being wrongly blamed for ‘driving’ global violence, but it is moderate religious voices who are best positioned to address the problem, argues Professor Kate Cooper. The recently published Global Terrorism Index 2013 is being reported as confirming that “religion has become the main driver of terrorism”, surpassing nationalist and other motives. But there […]

Five reasons why TTIP is like a troublesome teapot

By Robert Watt Filed Under: Europe, Featured Posted: November 25, 2014

The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership is like a tea-pot – but a troublesome one, argues Robbie Watt. Known as ‘tee-tip’ for short, the proposed major international trade deal between the European Union and the United States is one that might determine the future shape of the global economy for decades. Backed up with commentary from academics, […]

Negotiations making it harder to ‘sell’ free trade

By Gabriel Siles-Brügge Filed Under: Europe, Featured Posted: November 25, 2014

Trade negotiations are increasingly impinging on the way economies are regulated domestically, making it harder to ‘sell’ free trade, argues Dr Gabriel Siles-Brügge. ‘The European economy stands or falls on our ability to keep markets open, to open new markets, and to develop new areas where Europe’s inventors, investors, and entrepreneurs can trade’, said the […]

Drastic action needed to reverse European political trajectory

By Ewan Munro Filed Under: Europe, Featured Posted: November 24, 2014

Costas Simitis, a former Greek Prime Minister, has urged Europe’s political leaders to demonstrate solidarity and have a vision for Europe’s future, reports Ewan Munro. Given the traumatic nature of recent Greek political and economic history, and the extent of the demands placed on the Athens government by the Troika, it might have been expected […]

Where next for education policy?

By Kirstin Kerr Filed Under: Featured Posted: November 24, 2014

This year’s Manchester Policy Week witnessed a lively debate on how we can close the socio-economic attainment gap in education. Dr Kirstin Kerr heard some clear recommendations emerge. If there’s one thing the major political parties agree on, it is that the link between poverty and poor educational outcomes must be broken. Ever since Tony Blair set out his priorities […]

Addressing online threats in the internet age

By David Omand Filed Under: Featured Posted: November 21, 2014

Intelligence agencies are responding to the threats posed in the internet age. We should be relieved, argues Sir David Omand. Faced with the growing threats posed in the internet age, UK law enforcement has reorganized. It is recruiting more cyber professionals, notably through the new National Crime Agency. Increasingly the police have looked to the […]