Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues
By Diana Mitlin Filed Under: All posts, Urban Posted:
This month more than 25,000 delegates meet in Quito, Ecuador, for the Habitat 3 conference which sets out the United Nations’ New Urban Agenda – a guide to policies and approaches for the sustainable development and planning of cities and towns across the globe for the next 20 years. As part of The University of Manchester’s […]
By Ruth Lupton and Ceri Hughes Filed Under: All posts, Inclusive Growth Posted:
The concept of ‘inclusive growth’ – developing an economy that works for all – is one that is increasingly gaining ground. To make it a reality, however, we need a much more collective approach and one that industry and employers commit to, say Ruth Lupton and Ceri Hughes. Ambitions and appetite Although she didn’t say […]
By David Polya Filed Under: All posts, Science and Engineering Posted:
Millions of us world-wide have been unwittingly using plastic microbeads in products such as toothpastes, body scrubs and face washes – but do we know where they end up or what impact they have on the environment? In the light of the UK Government’s proposed ban and consultation and the recently reported first evidence of […]
By Kingsley Purdam Filed Under: All posts Posted:
Researchers at The University of Manchester have mapped estimates of life expectancy and years lived healthily to the stops on the local tram network. Kingsley Purdam, who led the research, says the differences between areas in the UK are a human rights issue. Devolution and living longer Greater Manchester is home to a population of […]
By Alexandra Albert Filed Under: All posts Posted:
As the Treasury announces plans this week to allocate another £5bn to boost housebuilding and measures to speed up the planning process, Alexandra Albert says we must also demand action on the hundreds of thousands of homes lying empty. As this week’s announcements show, the housing crisis remains a primary concern for policymakers, as well […]
By Yaron Matras Filed Under: All posts, Brexit Posted:
In the wake of Brexit, universities have a duty to promote the benefits of linguistic diversity more than ever, says Yaron Matras. Brexit represents the triumph of insularity and isolationism – that is the view shared by most of those who promote the teaching and learning of modern languages in Britain. The anti-immigration rhetoric, which […]
By Graham Whitham Filed Under: All posts, Inclusive Growth Posted:
The current simplistic approach to measuring economic growth has led to policy being narrowly focused on headline measures of economic activity rather than achieving positive economic and social outcomes for the population, says Graham Whitham. Tomorrow, when the latest UK economic accounts are released for scrutiny, local planners and stakeholders will be keen to see […]
By Steve Courtney Filed Under: All posts Posted:
Steven Courtney asks how can we make sense of an education policy that runs so clearly counter to the policy objectives of enhancing social justice set out by Theresa May in her first speech as Prime Minister ? The problem of sense making The question of whether to have grammar schools is not one where the […]
By William Whittaker Filed Under: All posts Posted:
Failures in patient access to primary care has been suggested as a root cause of the current A&E crisis and was one of the motivating factors for the Government’s 7-day GP services policy. The logic was that improved access would help to relieve pressure on A&E and other emergency services. But is this best use […]
By Anthony Redmond Filed Under: All posts Posted:
First aid saves lives, yet still we read reports of emergencies where bystanders failed to act. New research highlights an urgent need for the public to be more widely educated in first aid so we take action when it matters most says Anthony Redmond. While the treatment of injured patients has improved significantly in recent […]