Featured – Page 3

Deficit and reform: the NHS’s twin challenges

By Kieran Walshe and Judith Smith Filed Under: Featured, Westminster Watch Posted: November 11, 2015

The NHS deficit is unprecedented and unsustainable. All eyes are on the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review and on some promising ideas for reform, explain Professor Kieran Walshe and Professor Judith Smith. The first quarter financial returns for the NHS, published just after the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, are the worst ever. Trusts were £930m […]

Policy Week: How Much Evidence is ‘Enough’ Prior to Policy Implementation?

By Laura ffrench-Constant Filed Under: All posts, Featured, Whitehall Watch Posted: November 6, 2015

The New Researcher Network hosted a breakfast session during Policy Week to investigate how much evidence is ‘enough’ prior to policy implementation and how to strike the balance between ‘ideal evidence’ and pragmatic decision making. The event was chaired by Dr Kieron Flanagan, whilst Dr Julian Simpson of the University of Manchester and Dr Kathryn […]

Policy Week: Powering the Northern Powerhouse

By Jim Pendrill Filed Under: Devo, Featured, Science and Technology Posted: November 3, 2015

Could the Northern Powerhouse be powered by itself? And if so, what would be the best energy mix to sustain its economy? These were the questions posed at a debate on the UK energy industry during Policy Week, where PhD students from The University presented four different proposals as to how the North West could […]

Huge changes in education on way, says Willetts

By Jim Pendrill Filed Under: Featured Posted: November 3, 2015

The next generation will see greater changes in education than we have seen over the previous 500 years, says Lord David Willetts, the former Minister for Universities and Science. Jim Pendrill reports. Delivering the keynote address at the start of Policy Week on how emerging technology will impact education, Willetts began by questioning whether the […]

Why synthetic biology has the potential to reshape our lives

By Philip Shapira Filed Under: Featured, Science and Technology Posted: October 28, 2015

We need to prepare for a world where synthetic biology will reshape our lives, economies and environment. But this rapidly emerging technology needs to be responsibly developed, says Professor Philip Shapira, ahead of an exciting event in Manchester next week. Synthetic biology involves combining scientific and engineering methods to redesign biological components and systems found […]

Net migration target remains nebulous

By Laurence Brown Filed Under: Ethnicity, Europe, Featured Posted: October 27, 2015

Given that it is the central focus of UK immigration policy, it is striking that the actual number of the net migration target and its statistical justification has remained so nebulous, says Dr Laurence Brown. “Net migration” was a key term that dominated Home Secretary Theresa May’s recent speech at the Conservative party conference. In […]

Tax Credits and the Shadow Economy

By Douglas Bamford Filed Under: Featured, Westminster Watch Posted: October 26, 2015

Cutting tax credits is the wrong way to reform the benefits system, argues Doug Bamford. Earnings subsidies will reduce the incentive to work in the shadow economy, he explains. Recent government plans to reduce tax credits have generated a lot of interest and controversy. I propose a further reason to think that the proposals are […]

Is fracking a price worth paying?

By Paul Younger and Kevin Anderson Filed Under: Featured, Science and Technology Posted: October 22, 2015

Our dependence on a constant supply of energy presents seemingly intractable dilemmas. One of these is whether fracking should be permitted. Professor Paul Younger and Professor Kevin Anderson took opposing views in a recent online debate. In the US, the recovery of underground reserves of shale gas and its extraction from solid rock through the […]

Crisis – what crisis? The reality of life in general practice in England

By Kath Checkland Filed Under: All posts, Featured Posted: October 21, 2015

GPs are dealing with increased stress and more are leaving practice. Yet there are signs for optimism, reports Professor Kath Checkland. GPs in the UK are fed up – this much is commonplace. Newspaper headlines and social media alike tell a tale of dissatisfaction, declining morale and intentions to quit. If these reports are to […]

The UK’s housing crisis

By Michelle Custodio Filed Under: Featured Posted: October 19, 2015

The Government aims to build one million more homes by 2020, the Prime Minister has announced. Michelle Custodio puts the need for more homes in perspective. How many more homes does the UK need? Back in May last year, the then business secretary Vince Cable argued that the UK should build an extra 300,000 a […]