Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues
By Pamela Qualter Filed Under: Growth and Inclusion, Health and Care, Urban Posted:
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the UK’s mental health, particularly loneliness. Data from spring 2021 found a million more adults were feeling lonely “often” or “always” compared to spring 2020. Now, a recent evidence review for DCMS, led by Professor Pamela Qualter, has set out what we know – and don’t […]
By Marianne Sensier Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Devo, Growth and Inclusion, Inclusive Growth Posted:
The coronavirus pandemic has shone a spotlight on the inequalities in our society. Those in comfortable jobs have largely been able to work remotely from home. Those in precarious sectors and occupations have lost the most, particularly in deprived communities. The tighter restrictions imposed on Greater Manchester since the easing of the first lockdown in […]
By Anna Coleman and Nicola Gartland Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Health and Care, Urban Posted:
Throughout the pandemic, public transport has been identified as a significant potential hub of transmission for the disease, with messaging urging people to avoid it wherever possible. Despite this guidance, however, there was little evidence on how great this risk was, or the effectiveness of mitigation measures such as masks and ventilation. In this blog, […]
By Luke Munford, Pamela Qualter and Matt Sutton Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Education, Growth and Inclusion, Health and Care, Health and Social Care, Urban Posted:
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, growing evidence has shown the effects of the disease, and measures to contain it, have not been felt equally across the UK, with the North of England one of the hardest hit regions. Even before the pandemic, the North suffered from higher levels of poverty, poor health, and inequality compared to […]
By Debra Howcroft and Phil Taylor Filed Under: All posts, Digital Futures Posted:
Like millions of others, call centre workers were required to work from home at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this blog, Professor Debra Howcroft and Professor Phil Taylor examine the experiences of call centre staff and provide recommendations for improvement in the future. Managerial staff often directly and indirectly control call centre workers […]
Greater Manchester has seen some of the highest rates of COVID-19 and as a result has faced particularly stringent lockdown regulations. With Manchester being one of the most deprived local authorities in England, many neighbourhoods and communities were less resilient to the economic shock caused by the pandemic. In this blog, Dr Arkadiusz Wiśniowski, Senior […]
By Puren Aktas and Liz Richardson Filed Under: All posts, Health and Social Care Posted:
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a number of rapid changes to healthcare systems. Hospitals were transformed into pandemic-oriented hospitals, elective surgeries were cancelled, or postponed, and face-to-face consultations were moved to virtual platforms. Many countries experienced shortages of medical supplies, especially ICU beds and ventilators, resulting in rationing of limited healthcare resources. In this […]
By Luan Cassal and Billy Haworth Filed Under: All posts, Growth and Inclusion, Health and Care Posted:
A version of this blog is available to read in Portuguese here. COVID-19 has brought huge change to society. However, the impacts have been different and disproportionate for different groups including LGBTIQ+ populations. As University of Manchester research has reported, there have been gaps in government and transnational responses in recognising and addressing those inequalities. […]
By Sophina Choudry Filed Under: All posts, Growth and Inclusion, Health and Social Care, Urban Posted:
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light increased health risks among groups labelled Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME), exposing many stark inequalities. Lockdown measures are impacting all aspects of life, but differentially impacting students and families from disadvantaged areas. Here, Dr Sophina Choudry, Professor Erica Burman, Professor Julian Williams, Sidra Iftikhar and Dr Yasmeen […]
By Charis Enns Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Health and Social Care Posted:
Since early reports linked the emergence of COVID-19 to the wild meat trade, the pandemic has thrown the wildlife trade into the global spotlight for its role in spreading zoonotic disease pathogens. This has motivated calls to ban wildlife trade, among other proposals to strengthen regulation and control over the trade in wildlife and their […]