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
Industrial chimney pluming out smoke surrounded by an urban landscape of buildings.

Advanced materials addressing health risks from exposure to benzene

Headshot of Martin Schröder.Headshot of Sihai Yang. By and Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Environment, Health and Care, Health and Social Care, Research and development, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology, Urban, Work Posted:

Benzene, a volatile organic compound (VOC) with widespread industrial applications, poses severe health risks to humans even at trace levels. Its genotoxic effects, which involve direct damage to cellular DNA and genetic material leading to mutations, are strongly linked to cancer and blood disorders, making its control a critical priority for workplace safety and environmental […]

A housing construction site, surrounded by rural countryside

Belting up to deliver housing targets – are Grey Belts the answer?

Ian Mell By Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Environment, Growth and Inclusion, Urban Posted:

To meet targets of building 1.5 million homes, the new government launched a consultation on the process for releasing Green Belt land. Proposals include creating a new designation of “Grey Belt” land. But given the contentious nature of Green Belts and the arguments made for and against development in these locations, the addition of this new […]

How to halve violence against women and girls

David GaddBarry Godfrey By , and Filed Under: All posts Posted:

In February 2024, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls urged the UK government to ‘do more to translate its political recognition of the scale of violence against women and girls into action’. In response, the Labour Party, now in government, declared its ‘landmark mission to halve violence against women and […]

Birds-eye-view of a motorway with travelling cars

A future for autonomous vehicles in the UK? Lessons from the US

By Filed Under: Digital Futures, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology, Urban Posted:

One of the final bills passed by the outgoing Sunak government was the Automated Vehicles Act (2024), designed to make provisions for the possible rollout of autonomous vehicles in the future. If the new Starmer government is to continue this work, then lessons need to be learnt from the US, where the deployment of autonomous […]

Solar panels, windturbines and a nuclear plant, Borssele, The Netherlands

Can nuclear power work with renewables to achieve net zero?

By Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Environment, Renewables, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:

Decarbonising electricity in the UK is far from straightforward. Government plans for the nation’s future electricity supply rely heavily on renewables, supported by gas power during periods of low renewable output. In this article, Professor Juan Matthews considers how nuclear energy can provide an alternative to gas power and support a future renewables-heavy grid, and […]

A child's hand holding a toothbrush under a running tap.

Brushing up on oral health: how can health policy prevent tooth decay in children?

Dr Georgios KitsarasProfessor Tanya Walsh By , and Filed Under: All posts, Health and Care, Health and Social Care Posted:

Children’s oral health in England is in crisis, with thousands of children across the country suffering from dental caries, the most prevalent and prominent form of dental disease. In response, the government has promised measures to tackle dental health inequalities. But how can policymakers best implement this plan to ensure it has the desired impact? […]

Closeup of stressed teenage girl talking to mental health therapist in session

Social and Emotional Learning for Every Child: Why SEL Matters

By , , and Filed Under: Education, Health and Care Posted:

As concerns surrounding children’s mental health continue to grow, the role schools can play in supporting children’s mental health is receiving more attention. Universal, school-based interventions known as  “Social and emotional learning” (SEL) interventions, delivered to all children, are a cost-effective and non-stigmatising approach to supporting wellbeing and healthy child development. These interventions aim to […]

a sports woman tying her laces before training, running or a workout.

The abuse of women runners: Implications for the violence against women and girls policy agenda

Rose Broad By and Filed Under: All posts, British Politics Posted:

New research at The University of Manchester has found that over two-thirds of women runners across Greater Manchester and Merseyside have experienced abuse. This has taken the form of physical and sexual assaults, verbal abuse, being followed, flashing, and harassment, with only 5% reporting it to the police. This briefing highlights key findings, along with […]

Aerial view of UK house development being built.

Harnessing Digital Solutions for Sustainable Housing Expansion: A GIS-Powered Approach

Photo of Richard Kingston By Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Cities and Environment, Digital Futures, Environment Posted:

The UK government has committed to an ambitious housing strategy of building 1.5 million homes over the next five years to address the chronic housing shortage exacerbated by rising demand, affordability and population growth. This plan must also rectify long-term structural challenges in the housing market whilst ensuring homes are built sustainably. Here, Professor Richard Kingston […]

Article image - older couple on a bench in Manchester

Older people have something to say – ensuring voices are heard

Patty Doran author headshotMhorag GoffLinda Naughton author headshotPhilippa Winship author headshot By , , and Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Urban Posted:

The population is ageing. Almost 40% of people in England are currently over 50, and almost 20% are over 65 (Census, 2021). In response to the ageing population, in 2010 the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the global network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities. They aspire to be places where people of all ages feel […]

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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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