Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues
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 […]
By Dame Nancy Rothwell Filed Under: All posts, Brexit Posted:
In the wake of the Brexit vote, universities must redouble their efforts to demonstrate how they are using public money to improve society and people’s lives, argues Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell. Universities must do more to encourage, support and reward public engagement. As public institutions in receipt of millions of pounds of taxpayer funds, this […]
By Helen Gunter Filed Under: All posts Posted:
This week the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published its report comparing education systems worldwide and its Head of Education questioned the evidence for selection as a way of improving schools. Those who attended grammar schools such as Theresa May, argues Helen Gunter, make claims disconnected from research evidence and based on their […]
By Andrew Karvonen, James Evans and Rob Raven Filed Under: All posts Posted:
The UK housing crisis is a key challenge for our times – demand far outstrips supply and Ministers are seeking solutions, such as plans to create new ‘garden cities’. But are policy-makers taking enough notice of the urban experiments that have already taken place around the world and are the right questions being asked? James […]
By Mel Ainscow Filed Under: All posts Posted:
It’s rare for a public policy consultation paper to shock, but proposals from the UK Government to expand the provision of grammar schools have caused a storm of protest. Mel Ainscow believes this is a dangerous distraction and argues that more collaboration in schools, not increasing segregation, is what our children need. The decision […]
By Diane Coyle Filed Under: All posts, Brexit Posted:
Now that the shock of the Brexit vote has diminished, what next for our economy, trade and the social and regional divisions that the referendum revealed? Diane Coyle says it’s time to redress the massive imbalance between London and the rest of the country and create a multi-engine economy. Claim and counter-claim It has […]
By Sharon McDonnell Filed Under: All posts Posted:
A new study released by The University of Manchester revealed that GPs looking after someone who has lost a child to suicide had a lack of knowledge and confidence on how best to support them. Those bereaved by suicide are a very vulnerable group at significant risk of dying by suicide themselves and an important […]
By Kieran Walshe Filed Under: All posts Posted:
The NHS has faced massive change under the 2012 Health and Social Care Act, combined with a huge financial crisis, an ageing population and more demand for its services than ever. Kieran Walshe argues that this has led to a ‘shadowy’ era where decisions are being made rapidly, without the legislative processes and periods of […]