Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues
By Chris Martin Filed Under: Featured Posted:
The Government should do more to support a genuinely sharing economy, suggests Chris Martin. The UK Government has adopted a very narrow commercial perspective on the emergence of the sharing economy. In doing so, it is overlooking the potential environmental and social benefits of sharing. These benefits might grow if digital technologies can be harnessed […]
By James Pattison Filed Under: All posts Posted:
On Wednesday, the House of Commons debated for ten hours about whether the UK should intervene in Syria against ISIS. Here James Pattison explores the ethics of their decision. Numerous MPs stood up and offered their impassioned views. But most of these were oddly unstructured and badly reasoned, and failed to take into account glaringly […]
By Simon Chin-Yee Filed Under: All posts, Featured, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:
Change is inevitable, but climate change is damaging. Simon Chin-Yee argues that as the COP21 discussions continue in Paris, we must adapt to limit the damage being caused by climate change. Mark Twain once said: “I’m all for progress, its change I object to.” What is it about human nature that makes us averse to […]
By Francis Livens Filed Under: Featured, Science and Technology Posted:
Professor Francis Livens continues his search for objectivity in the nuclear debate. As I explained in my previous blog, I recently debated nuclear energy with some opponents. I was concerned about whether their arguments were honest and true, so took time out to investigate them. I have already looked at nuclear waste, here I will […]
By Kevin Anderson Filed Under: All posts Posted:
As the Paris COP21 negotiations continue, Kevin Anderson, who is in France for the conference, gives his views. Paris will witness frenetic discussion centred ostensibly on the long-established 2°C temperature threshold between ‘acceptable’ and ‘dangerous’ climate change. However, as a citizen concerned with the moral framing of climate change, I consider the 2°C increase above the […]
By Francis Livens Filed Under: Featured, Science and Technology Posted:
The case against nuclear power is weakened by simplistic arguments that don’t stand up to scrutiny, argues Professor Francis Livens. I was recently involved in a public debate on nuclear energy. One of my opponent’s arguments against nuclear power was that the UK has no way of dealing with its huge quantities of radioactive waste. […]
By Sarah Mander Filed Under: All posts Posted:
As the Paris COP21 climate negotiations begin next week, Clair Gough and Sarah Mander examine George Osborne’s autumn statement and assess its green credentials. Only days before the start of the COP21 climate negotiations in Paris, the UK Government clearly signals just how unwilling it is to make the investments required to support the 2°C objective of […]
By Andy Westwood Filed Under: All posts, Whitehall Watch Posted:
Andy Westwood assesses a political transformation in the wake of the Autumn Statement. 2012 really was a big year for Britain. Politically, it was the moment that George Osborne tanked. First with the ‘Omnishambles’ Budget and its ill conceived Granny and Pasty taxes and second with a round booing at the Olympic Park. But it […]
By Diane Coyle Filed Under: All posts, Whitehall Watch Posted:
The day after George Osborne’s Comprehensive Spending Review, Diane Coyle picks out the winners and losers. One of the most important attributes a Chancellor of the Exchequer can have is to be lucky. Lucky, that is, in all the aspects of the economy that are outside the control of the government – which is most […]
By Colin Talbot Filed Under: All posts, Westminster Watch, Whitehall Watch Posted:
More fast reaction from Colin Talbot to the Comprehensive Spending Review 2015. One thing has puzzled me since the introduction of “Quantitative Easing” (QE) in 2009. Between then and 2012 the Bank of England ‘bought’ £375bn of government bonds from their previous private sector owners. This is a pretty sizeable chunk of the total Government […]