Policy@Manchester Articles

Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues

Policy@Manchester Articles
Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues

How logistics workers kept the UK going during lockdown: Lessons for the next pandemic

Martie van Tongeren By , , and Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Health and Care Posted:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, measures to reduce social contacts were applied in most countries; something that was only viable because the logistics sector continued to deliver. However, in the face of a lack of pandemic preparedness and planning from the government, how did different parts of the sector respond? In this blog, Dr Hua Wei, […]

An elderly woman sits on a bench near a large pond, on her own.

What we need to know next about loneliness

By Filed Under: Growth and Inclusion, Health and Care, Urban Posted:

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the UK’s mental health, particularly loneliness. Data from spring 2021 found a million more adults were feeling lonely “often” or “always” compared to spring 2020. Now, a recent evidence review for DCMS, led by Professor Pamela Qualter, has set out what we know – and don’t […]

Engineers surveying windfarm in the UK.

The energy strategy: missed opportunities, false solutions, better ways forward

Prof Matthew Paterson By Filed Under: British Politics, Energy and Environment Posted:

The government’s ‘British Energy Security Strategy’ released on the 7th April 2022 has raised more questions than answers for those in interested in energy policy. While it claims to offer solutions to the dual problems of rising energy prices and threats to natural gas supplies, it adopts an outdated method that runs conversely to net […]

Child of the North: Pregnancy and early years

Anna Sanders By and Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Cities and Environment, Growth and Inclusion, Health and Care, Health and Social Care, Urban Posted:

Evidence makes it clear that exposure to adversity and stress has vast potential to negatively influence the trajectory of a person’s health and wellbeing throughout their life. In this blog, Professor Pamela Qualter and Dr Anna Sanders present the key findings of a Child of the North report, co-authored with colleagues from Newcastle, Bradford, Sheffield, […]

picture of digitally connected city

Using big data to tackle the air pollution problem

James EvansThomas BannanDavid Topping By , and Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Digital Futures, Science and Technology Posted:

Data-driven policy has the potential to maximise positive outcomes on the environment, public health and the economy. In this blog, Prof David Topping, Prof James Evans and Dr Thomas Bannan explore the benefits of using big data tools as well as the challenges facing the implementation of data techniques to inform air quality policy in […]

Antifungal resistance – a growing global problem

By Filed Under: Energy and Environment, Health and Care, Health and Social Care, Science and Technology Posted:

The spread of resistance to antifungal medications has led to many serious infections becoming untreatable, compromising patient safety and posing a global public health threat. The World Health Organisation (WHO) will soon publish its fungal pathogen priority list, highlighting fungi that are already untreatable, and those for which treatment outcomes are poor. In this blog, […]

picture of a windmill and a factory emitting smoke

Why policy on air quality and greenhouse gas emissions needs to be joined-up

Grant Allen By Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment, Urban Posted:

Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improving air quality are closely linked objectives but are not considered simultaneously under current policy frameworks. In this blog, Professor Grant Allen discusses the benefits of developing a common policy framework aligning GHGs reduction goals with improvements in air quality. Considering these two objectives simultaneously, rather than in isolation, […]

A school corridor with schools bags hanging from pegs on either side

Child of the North: Schools and education

By and Filed Under: All posts, Education, Health and Care, Health and Social Care Posted:

COVID-19 exposed the disadvantage suffered by children and young people in our most deprived areas, disproportionately in the north of England. In this blog, Professor Caroline Bond and Professor Pamela Qualter discuss how these problems, and the accumulating evidence, demand a policy response. This is an adaptation of an article they co-authored for the Child […]

The Energy Security Strategy: Going nuclear

Francis Livens By Filed Under: Energy and Environment, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:

The government has today announced plans to build eight new nuclear reactors in the UK, alongside strategies to boost wind, hydrogen, and solar production. These new reactors are intended to improve the UK’s energy self-sufficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as creating thousands of new jobs. In this blog, Professor Francis Livens of […]

water sink

Reimagining water consumption: challenges and opportunities to reduce domestic water demand in the UK

Claire Hoolohan By Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment, Urban Posted:

Emissions related to domestic water use contribute 5-6% of total UK greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing emissions from domestic water use is necessary for the UK to meet its ambitious target of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. However, current policy instruments to reduce water-related emissions remain limited in scope. In this blog, Dr Claire Hoololan […]

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Articles give the views of the author, and are not necessarily those of The University of Manchester.

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