Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues
By Karel Williams Filed Under: Devo, Featured Posted:
The gap in economic performance between London and the regions is large and will not be closed by devolving limited powers to city regions and Celtic nations that will adopt conventional economic policies, argues Professor Karel Williams. “It is time for you to take control of your own affairs….we will hand power from the […]
By Michael Moran Filed Under: Devo, Featured Posted:
Government today is trying to create a ‘system’ of devolution from a legacy formed of a tacit constitution and Thatcherite centralism, explains Professor Michael Moran. Devolution – whether to the Celtic nations or within England – has many faces and raises many issues – of economy, identity and political strategy. But it is worth remembering […]
By Alison Browne Filed Under: Featured, Science and Technology Posted:
The water industry has tried to manage consumption through technological ‘fixes’. But only by understanding how and why water is used can demand be reduced, argues Dr Alison Browne. For many years the mismatch between the demand for water and its available supply was ‘solved’ by the industry through engineering or technological solutions, including mega-projects […]
By Jonathan Spencer Filed Under: Featured Posted:
The horsemeat scandal of two years ago put food fraud into the news headlines. Jonathan Spencer explains this was only the tip of the iceberg. Food fraud – the adulteration of food – is commonly the result of a shortage of supply, or a sudden increase in the cost of raw ingredients. Meanwhile consumer demand […]
By Debbie Smith, Andrew Manley and Dame Tina Lavender Filed Under: Featured Posted:
How can information best be conveyed to influence behaviour? Choosing the right font type is surprisingly important, explain Dr Debbie Smith, Dr Andrew Manley and Professor Dame Tina Lavender. What do you take into account when trying to get your message across? The information to be communicated, of course. How to express it – using […]
From Easter to autumn, there are loyalist order and Irish Republican parades across Scotland. Stephen Ashe explores the policing of these processions, focusing on racism and sectarianism. In 2013, I was part of a research team commissioned by the Scottish Government to carry out research into the impact of public processions. In 2012, 34% of […]
By Colin Talbot Filed Under: All posts, Westminster Watch, Whitehall Watch Posted:
The general consensus is this is a “big” Budget with lots in it. It is, but unfortunately most commentators are missing the really big picture, says Colin Talbot. To be able to grasp what lies behind George Osborne’s ‘Summer Budget’ 2015 you need to remember just two numbers: 43 and 36. 43 Modern advanced economies […]
By Angelo Salento Filed Under: Devo, Europe, Featured Posted:
When it comes to devolution, be careful what you wish for. Angelo Salento explains how it went wrong in Italy. We Italians tend to be believe our politics and history are unique. But there is a clear parallel between Italy’s experience of devolution and the description by Carol Craig of what happened in the Scottish […]
By Mark Burton Filed Under: Devo, Featured Posted:
Mark Burton tries to imagine how city-region devolution might help to produce a fairer and more sustainable society. The Greater Manchester devolution deal is firmly rooted in a highly orthodox economic and social model. Other deals, with regions hand-picked by the Treasury, are at various stages of gestation. There is every reason to think they […]
By Neil McInroy Filed Under: Devo, Featured Posted:
The University of Manchester and Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) play host to the Making Devolution Work conference next week. To mark the event CLES’s Chief Executive Neil McInroy writes the first of a series of blogs around the conference, examining what devolution could mean for the region and country. The UK is massively […]