Policy@Manchester Articles

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 […]

The new GM mayor must address sexual violence

By Sarah Darley Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Health and Social Care, Urban Posted: April 25, 2017

As the polling day for Greater Manchester electing its first ever Metro Mayor approaches, Dr Sarah Darley outlines what the new mayor must do in order to tackle sexual violence across the city region. In Greater Manchester, reported rapes have doubled in the last two years and child sexual exploitation has increased fivefold in three […]

Welfare spending reduces religious participation

By Ingrid Storm Filed Under: All posts, Inclusive Growth Posted: April 25, 2017

Dr Ingrid Storm from The University of Manchester finds that people who live in countries with lower GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and lower social welfare spending are more religious on average. This is in part because religiosity can act as an alternative form of social security when government welfare is not available. The results have […]

The world after Ebola

By Anthony Redmond Filed Under: Health and Social Care Posted: April 13, 2017

UK-Med, a medical NGO within The University of Manchester’s Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute (HCRI), assisted the UK Government in recruiting NHS volunteers to combat the Ebola outbreak in west Africa. Here, the HCRI’s director Professor Tony Redmond reflects on the experience and the lessons we can learn about the benefits of helping others. Ebola […]

Taking action on local employment issues: how far can voluntary employment charter initiatives take us?

By Ceri Hughes and Emily Ball Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Devo, Growth and Inclusion, Inclusive Growth Posted: April 6, 2017

As the Greater Manchester mayoral election approaches, a key issue on the candidates’ agendas is raising employment standards across the city. Here, Ceri Hughes from the Inclusive Growth Analysis Unit and Emily Ball from Oxfam GB discuss the policy implications of rolling out a local employment charter in Manchester, highlighting what this would mean for […]

European Family Law after Brexit

By Ruth Lamont Filed Under: All posts, Brexit, British Politics Posted: April 5, 2017

Following the referendum vote in favour of UK withdrawal from the European Union, much concern has focused on the status of UK families in other Member States and the status of EU nationals resident in the UK. Here, Dr Ruth Lamont considers the implications of Brexit on family law in the UK and suggests a […]