Policy@Manchester Articles

We must allow nuclear power to play its part in tackling climate change

By Melissa Denecke Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted: November 28, 2016

This month, the twenty-second session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 22) took place in Marrakech, Morocco. Here, Prof Melissa Denecke reflects on the letter that Women in Nuclear Global wrote on the occasion of COP21 last year and argues that investing in Nuclear Energy is vital to tackling climate change. Decision-makers across the […]

How Manchester – and others – can make the most of natural capital

By Dieter Helm Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment Posted: November 23, 2016

Natural capital is finally being recognised as an essential part of a growing economy, writes Dieter Helm, Chair of the National Capital Committee, which is meeting at The University of Manchester today. After decades of decline the Government is bringing forth a 25 year plan to ensure that the next generation has a better environment […]

Local economic growth – three years on, what works and what’s next?

By Professor Henry Overman Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Inclusive Growth Posted: November 21, 2016

We know that a solid evidence base should be essential for policymaking across all areas. The What Works Centre for Local Economic Growth examines which polices are most effective at increasing local economic growth and supports policymakers to produce more high quality evidence to better guide future decision making and policy effectiveness. Professor Henry Overman, […]

So, Where Are We Now? Old, New and Anti-Politics in Britain Today

By Dave Richards Filed Under: All posts, Brexit, British Politics Posted: November 21, 2016

2016 has been a political rollercoaster. Both the Brexit result and the Trump victory are leading many to question what is happening in our politics and where we go from here. The University of Manchester’s Professor Dave Richards has tracked the rise of the populist ‘anti-politics’ sentiment that has delivered two unprecedented political upsets, and calls […]

How Lord Alf Morris gave me belief in the power of change

By Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson Filed Under: All posts Posted: November 18, 2016

The face of Britain’s Paralympic success and a tireless campaigner for the rights and recognition of disabled people, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson is an inspiration to millions. Against a backdrop of ongoing cuts to welfare budgets and her continuing work influencing the UK Government’s Welfare Reform bills in the House of Lords, Dame Grey-Thompson visited The […]

Agreeing to austerity: does signing up to devolution challenge the Northern Powerhouse?

By David Ethrington and Martin Jones Filed Under: All posts, Devo, Inclusive Growth Posted: November 17, 2016

Austerity and devolution are inextricably linked and present significant challenges to the government’s Northern Powerhouse and devolution strategies. This is because of the importance of the public sector and public services for both supporting growth policies and addressing the needs of disadvantaged groups and areas argue Dr David Etherington and Professor Martin Jones. By signing […]

Negotiating for the climate: COP22 vs. The election of Donald Trump

By Simon Chin-Yee and Lauren Gifford Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment Posted: November 16, 2016

This week, the twenty-second session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 22) is taking place in Marrakech, Morocco. In light of the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States, Simon Chin Yee and Lauren Gifford blog from the conference, reflecting on what the election might mean for global climate change policy. […]

In a world sceptical of political promises, I’m trying to keep mine

By John Bercow MP Filed Under: All posts, Devo, Westminster Watch, Whitehall Watch Posted: November 16, 2016

As part of Parliament Week and after delivering the annual Sammy Finer Lecture at The University of Manchester, John Bercow MP writes on how he has sought to use his time in office as the Speaker of the House of Commons to bring about Parliamentary reform. Reforming the legislature One of the roles of the […]

Racism at work still persists; time for urgent action

By Stephen Ashe and James Nazroo Filed Under: Ethnicity Posted: November 14, 2016

It is almost 50 years since the Race Relations Act was amended to outlaw racial discrimination in employment. Drawing on their new report Stephen Ashe and James Nazroo argue that the evidence strongly demonstrates that there remains a need for employers and the Government to take urgent action against the entrenched nature of racism and […]

We must address inequalities in seeking to bridge the generational divide

By Debora Price Filed Under: All posts Posted: November 8, 2016

MPs have called for cuts to state pension generosity, but Professor Debora Price says it is unfairness within generations that needs solving. The public have become used to portrayals of older people as sitting on gold-plated pensions and valuable housing, allowing them to live a life of luxury and leisure. By contrast, the young who cannot […]