Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues
By Colin Talbot Filed Under: All posts, Westminster Watch Posted:
As the polls open and ballots begin to be cast across the country as GE2015 gets underway, Colin Talbot looks at one possible scenario should the predictions of a hung Parliament prove accurate. It could easily be 5 weeks before we have a settled Government. It might not be, the polls might be wrong or […]
By Mel Ainscow and Alan Dyson Filed Under: All posts, Featured Posted:
New proposals for the reform of the English education system are outlined in a report written by Mel Ainscow CBE and Alan Dyson, Professors of Education and co-directors of the Centre for Equity in Education at The University of Manchester, and their colleagues Sue Goldrick and Dr Kirstin Kerr. The English school system is in […]
By Lawrence Benson Filed Under: All posts, Devo Posted:
Laurence Benson routinely uses the lateral thinking techniques of the original thinker Edward deBono to review new and old policy for public services. As a teaching focused academic at Manchester Business School here Laurence runs the recent devomanc policy through deBono’s Six Thinking Hats technique. Each hat has a different colour to represent a different […]
By Colin Talbot Filed Under: All posts, Featured, Westminster Watch Posted:
Colin Talbot looks at the reality after Scottish National Party claims that they could block any budget if the Labour Party is leading a minority Government. The SNP are claiming they can ‘block Labour budgets’, ‘end austerity’ and ‘stop Trident’. Their problem however is simple – most of what they say is based on assuming […]
By Tanja Müller Filed Under: All posts, Europe, Featured Posted:
Hundreds of people trying to migrate from Africa to Europe have been drowned this week, when the boats they were travelling in sank. Here Tanja Müller says more needs to be done and that European policies have contributed to the deaths. It has become a defining feature of European asylum and migration policy in recent […]
By David Hulme Filed Under: All posts, Featured Posted:
David Hulme takes the media to task over the way it covers the developing world. Bangladesh makes the headlines with stories of factory fires, exploited garment workers, political violence, or bombings. Yet, Bangladesh has shown remarkable economic growth and achieved rapid social development – progress that is rarely reported. In many ways, the country is […]
By Andrew Wilson Filed Under: All posts, Devo, Featured Posted:
At the Summat New event in Leeds, a group of 20 people from the North, who had never met before, sat in a circle and asked this question: “Are the voices of people living and working in places in the north of England fairly heard in our national conversation?” Here Andrew Wilson answers the question. The […]
By Peter Mackereth Filed Under: All posts, Featured Posted:
In the last days of the old Parliament, MPs agreed that from May next year cigarettes may only be sold in plain packaging. Dr Peter Mackereth congratulates politicians for their willingness to stand up to the tobacco industry, but warns the companies are fighting back. Almost a quarter of children aged 11 to 15 in […]
By Jonathan Darling Filed Under: All posts, Devo, Featured, Urban Posted:
Government policy towards asylum seekers is being challenged. Dr Jonathan Darling asks if this should become part of the debate on the devolution of powers. Disagreements between local authorities and the Home Office over asylum seeker dispersal numbers and arrangements have a long-standing history in Britain. Yet recently they have garnered greater media attention due […]
By Kieron Flanagan Filed Under: All posts, Devo, Featured Posted:
The Sir Henry Royce Institute for Materials Research and Innovation is good news for Northern England, but reform of research funding is needed to create a sustainable scientific ‘powerhouse’ in the North, argues Dr Kieron Flanagan. Chancellor George Osborne has made much in recent months of his ambition to help the cities of Manchester, Leeds, […]