Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues
By Diane Coyle Filed Under: Devo, Featured Posted:
Manchester’s economy, and its population, is growing, But the decision to ‘pause’ the electrification of the Manchester-Leeds rail line underlines the reality that important decisions are still controlled nationally, explains Professor Diane Coyle. One of the most telling signs of a successful economy is when people vote with their feet and move there. As the […]
By Francesca Gains Filed Under: All posts, Devo Posted:
Greater Manchester this week becomes the first combined metro area to have its own mayor. Professor Francesca Gains looks ahead at what awaits Tony Lloyd. Arrangements to deliver an elected metro mayor for Greater Manchester take several significant steps forward this week. In the House of Lords, the Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill moves […]
By Kieran Walshe Filed Under: All posts, Featured Posted:
Here Kieran Walshe reacts to the Queens Speech and comments on the lack of any mention of plans for healthcare. On seeing that the Queen’s Speech contained no proposed legislation on health and social care, many healthcare workers and managers may understandably have breathed a sigh of relief. After the traumas of the Health and […]
By Andy Westwood Filed Under: Devo, Featured, Westminster Watch Posted:
What does the Conservative election victory mean for the North of England and higher education? Professor Andy Westwood interprets the signals. Just in case you didn’t know, the Northern Powerhouse is ‘GO’ and was confirmed in today’s Queens Speech. George Osborne reaffirmed his commitment to the idea almost immediately after he and the Conservatives won […]
By Dave Richards and Martin Smith Filed Under: Featured, Westminster Watch Posted:
Professor Dave Richards and Professor Martin Smith analyse what the general election result means for the British political system. The 2015 general election was supposed to produce one type of policy earthquake, but may have produced another. The assumption by nearly everyone until 10.01 pm on May 7 was that we would see the further […]
By Andy Westwood Filed Under: Devo, Featured, Science and Technology, Whitehall Watch Posted:
What research will the next government back and how should it choose? asks Professor Andrew Westwood. As we approach the General Election, the discussions of the research community in universities tend to focus on how to preserve the ‘science ringfence’ and the ‘dual support system’ (funding through both the Research Councils and the Funding Councils). […]
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 Kieran Walshe Filed Under: Devo, Featured, Whitehall Watch Posted:
As we approach the election, the prospect of yet more organisational restructuring for the NHS fills Kieran Walshe with dismay. The next government needs to focus more on changes which make a difference to patients, and which are founded on good evidence about what works. The ability to hold two conflicting positions in your mind […]
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 Martin Stanley Filed Under: All posts, Featured, Westminster Watch, Whitehall Watch Posted:
Respected scientist Sir Paul Nurse recently expressed his distress that politicians sometimes “ignore” scientific evidence. Here is a slightly different take on the issue from the perspective of a recent senior civil servant. At one level, of course, I agree with Sir Paul. I can’t prove it but I suspect that many if not most […]