Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues
By Iain Deas, Graham Haughton and Stephen Hincks Filed Under: Featured Posted:
London’s dominant economic role is not an accident of history but rather the result of policy and subsidy, explain Dr Iain Deas, Prof Graham Haughton and Dr Stephen Hincks. BBC presenter Evan Davis argues that government should do more to help large and successful cities prosper. In his recent series, Mind the Gap: London v the Rest – and […]
By Dave Richards and Martin Smith Filed Under: Featured, Whitehall Watch Posted:
Tony Benn found that without the help of officials, having radical ideas as a minister didn’t get him very far. On the day the veteran MP is laid to rest, Dave Richards and Martin Smith reflect on their interviews with Benn, his Cabinet colleagues and officials. Obituaries of Tony Benn considered his roles as campaigner, […]
By Eleanor Bindman Filed Under: Featured Posted:
As the crisis following the Russian annexation of Crimea continues to develop rapidly and unpredictably, a series of economic sanctions against key Russian individuals have been put in place, with the possibility of more to come. But, writes Dr Eleanor Bindman, the annexation of Crimea now appears to be irreversible, and this must be accepted […]
By Colette Fagan and Helen Norman Filed Under: British Politics, Featured Posted:
Many women leave the labour market or cut their working hours after having children because childcare facilities are either unavailable, too expensive or simply inadequate, say Professor Colette Fagan and Dr Helen Norman. Read Dr Norman’s full policy briefing ‘UK Childcare in the European Context’ Childcare is now at the forefront of the political debate. […]
By James Evans and Gabriele Schliwa Filed Under: Featured Posted:
For cities such as Manchester to operate a fully sustainable transport system they must make cycling mainstream, say Dr James Evans and Gabriele Schliwa. Their study into how to make the vision reality has policy implications for the whole of the UK. Manchester may be the home of British Cycling, but does the city fully […]
When Internet freedom contrasts with a lack of wider political freedom, it may be an indicator of likely revolution, explains Professor Richard Heeks. In April last year I wrote a blog revealing that research showed Ukraine to be the country most likely to undergo a revolution. Given recent events, I was fascinated to look back […]
By Paul Simpson and Kathryn Almack Filed Under: Featured Posted:
Encouraging an LGBT-friendly, or better still, an LGBT-inclusive environment needs to be higher on the agenda in care homes, argue Dr Paul Simpson and Dr Kathryn Almack. If homes were to function more along these lines, they could work more like communities than simply places to live. What if you had lived a life as […]
By Ewan Munro Filed Under: Europe, Featured Posted:
Former Greek Prime Minster George Papandreou delivered the Manchester Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence’s Annual Lecture, accompanied by two formidable looking bodyguards. Ewan Munro heard him affirm his commitment to the European Project and decry the lack of visionary leadership at the national level. While the Eurozone crisis may have slipped from the front pages […]
By Ruth Lupton Filed Under: Featured Posted:
Last week the government announced its child poverty strategy – but at the same time revealed that, after a year of consultation and consideration, it has still not been able to reach a conclusion on how to measure success. Prof Ruth Lupton explains why the government should stick with the measures it has got. Thanks […]
By David Barnard-Wills Filed Under: Featured, Science and Technology Posted:
David Barnard-Wills argues that EU citizens don’t necessarily want to trade their privacy for security – and that policymakers should take their views seriously in determining surveillance practices. Fuelled in part by Edward Snowden’s release of documents revealing NSA and GCHQ surveillance practices, recent months have seen much media coverage of surveillance and European citizens […]