Policy@Manchester Articles

A National Education Service could restore the opportunity of education

By Liam Shields Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Growth and Inclusion Posted: May 15, 2017

Liam Shields, Lecturer in Political Theory at The University of Manchester examines the Labour Party’s manifesto promise to establish a life-long National Education Service which could enhance equality of opportunity throughout the UK. This policy has many parallels with the NHS and the emphasis on opportunities for educational enrichment beyond “school-age” is striking. By including […]

Overcoming ethnic prejudice: how a positive trend could be threatened

By Ingrid Storm Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Growth and Inclusion Posted: May 12, 2017

An important indicator of a breakdown of barriers between different ethnic groups is accepting someone of a different ethnic background marrying into the family. Much research into attitudes looks at the views of the majority ethnic group separately to those of the minorities. In a break from this tradition, researchers from the University of Manchester […]

The UK must improve water management in the face of droughts

By Claire Hoolohan Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Energy and Environment Posted: May 11, 2017

As the threat of drought rises in the UK, Claire Hoolohan Research Associate at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, considers how we might change the way society uses water. The UK is braced for drought, and though weather is part of drought, so is the amount of water used by people going about […]

The road map to renewable energy

By Patricia Thornley Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Energy and Environment Posted: May 8, 2017

Patricia Thornley, Director of The University of Manchester’s SUPERGEN Bioenergy Hub, comments on the UKs desperate need for a road map to renewable energy implementation. In the UK around a third of our energy consumption is used for heating – the next government should mandate energy efficient building design in all new housing developments. Low […]

Making Greater Manchester Great for Older People: Ageing Actions for the Mayor’s First 100 Days

By Elaine Dewhurst Filed Under: All posts, Devo, Urban Posted: May 8, 2017

Dr. Elaine Dewhurst, Senior Lecturer in Employment Law at The University of Manchester looks at the positive impact Andy Burnham could have in his first 100 days on the lives of older people. • Greater Manchester needs to do more for its ageing population – it’s vital the new Mayor identifies the opportunities older people […]

The rise of the robots – now’s the time to talk

By Diane Coyle Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted: May 8, 2017

The pace of change in technology shows no sign of slowing down, and as artificial intelligence develops, ever-more tasks that were previously carried out by humans could be done by machines. We have seen technological change before, and history tells us that there will be winners and losers. We must prepare economic and employment policies […]

A ‘Metrolink Mayor’? Meeting the challenge of regional imbalances across Greater Manchester

By Tom Arnold Filed Under: All posts, Devo Posted: May 5, 2017

As the Greater Manchester region elects its first ‘Metro Mayor’, Tom Arnold, a postgraduate researcher of New Economic Geographies, offers his take on the challenges and solutions facing Andy Burnham in his inaugural term. Central to Greater Manchester’s development is a focus on the needs of its outer town and boroughs Post-19 education and orbital […]

The UK Technifesto

By Vikas Shah Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Growth and Inclusion, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted: May 3, 2017

Inequality in our world is a root cause of many problems, but the strength of technology means it is no longer inevitable, says Vikas Shah. Here he shares his Technifesto for the United Kingdom. Information is now who we are – technology is our primary economic, social and cultural tool It’s an absolute priority to […]

People Power: Recommendations for policymakers in a new age for nuclear

By Jeremy Rayner Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment Posted: May 2, 2017

Following the recent Dalton Nuclear Institute Seminar ‘Small modular nuclear reactors: energy justice for the 21st century?’, Dr Jeremy Rayner, Director at the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Saskatchewan, here discusses the social dimensions of energy generation – especially in terms of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) – and highlights the importance […]

What is it that we actually want and how are we going to get it?

By Sophie King Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Inclusive Growth Posted: April 26, 2017

Resident of Manchester Dr Sophie King, from the University of Sheffield, blogs on her experiences of recent political events in Manchester and discusses her disappointment in proceedings so far. Here she highlights a lack of viable policy proposals and looks at what can be learnt from small scale initiatives elsewhere in the city, as well […]