government

Attending to absence: how can we improve outcomes for disadvantaged children?

By Caroline Bond Filed Under: All posts, Education Posted: December 16, 2024

Poverty and disadvantage have considerable effects on children and young people. For many young people multiple aspects of disadvantage affect their lives and increase the risk of negative outcomes. In the UK, austerity, funding cuts and Covid-19 have contributed to increasing levels of poverty and disproportionately affected disadvantaged children. In this article, Professor Caroline Bond […]

Re-professionalising teaching: addressing authorisation, accountability and attrition

By Louisa Dawes and Andrew Howes Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Education Posted: September 30, 2024

Teacher recruitment and retention is currently in a critical state – as outlined by The National Foundation for Educational Research’s (NFER) 2024 report on the teacher labour market in England. This puts at risk the quality of education that children and young people receive. In this article, Andrew Howes and Louisa Dawes acknowledge the Labour […]

A raised platform – regulating the digital economy

By Luke Yates Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Cities and Environment, Digital Futures, UK economy, Urban Posted: September 19, 2024

Digital economy businesses have grown rapidly in the last 10-15 years, transforming how we work, travel, consume, and contract workers. Some impacts have been problematic, with growth of short-term lettings platforms reducing access to housing, and gig economy platforms increasing the precariousness of work. In this article, Dr Luke Yates outlines research findings on how […]

Reforming UK fertility legislation: the effects of online DNA testing

By Caroline Redhead and Lucy Frith Filed Under: All posts, Health and Care, Science and Technology Posted: November 27, 2023

Direct-to-consumer genetic testing (DTCGT) from companies such as Ancestry and 23andMe has significantly impacted the dialogue around gamete (sperm and egg) donor conception. In the UK where the anonymity of donors is theoretically protected until a donor-conceived person turns 18, the growing use of DTCGT has prompted the regulator of reproductive technologies, the Human Fertilisation […]

How can “Great British Nuclear” make a great difference?

By Adrian Bull Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Energy and Environment, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted: March 31, 2023

The announcement of Great British Nuclear (GBN) is a long awaited positive step. GBN clearly now faces a monumental workload and a range of challenges as it sets the ground for new nuclear build in the UK. In this article, Professor Adrian Bull emphasises the need to engage with development companies rather than just ‘starting […]

Graphene as a regional-global innovation model

By James Baker Filed Under: British Politics, Budget, Growth and Inclusion, Levelling up, Research and development, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology, UK economy Posted: March 17, 2023

A new national policy report has identified the graphene innovation ecosystem at Manchester as a regional hub for international partnership and investment. In this article, James Baker explores how this success demonstrates that research and development (R&D) investment into specialist regional clusters like Graphene@Manchester provides national government with an excellent return on investment as they […]

Location, location, location: finding sites for nuclear power plants

By Adrian Bull Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Renewables, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted: March 13, 2023

Expanding nuclear power should be a key priority as the government aims to cut its carbon emissions. However, finding suitable sites to accommodate the proposed plants raises new questions. In this article, based on the Dalton Nuclear Institute’s position paper, Siting implications of nuclear energy, Professor Adrian Bull gives his view on how policymakers can […]

Time for some low key fireworks?

By Andy Westwood Filed Under: All posts, Brexit, British Politics Posted: March 7, 2017

Ahead of the first Budget under May’s government, and the first since the Brexit vote, Policy@Manchester Co-Director Professor Andy Westwood sets the scene and shares his predictions on the Chancellor’s approach to the year’s spending priorities. We need some action from the Budget, even if the fireworks are likely to be more low key this […]

The Treasury in the 21st century: still one of the great offices of state or a hollowed-out, echo chamber?

By Dave Richards Filed Under: British Politics Posted: March 7, 2017

In light of Lord Kerslake’s independent review, ‘Rethinking the Treasury’, and with the looming Spring Budget one day away, Professor Dave Richards considers where next for the Treasury. The review advocates a return to the Treasury’s core functions of controlling and co-ordinating public finance and overseeing the macro-economy Now is the time to break from […]

What can devo do for women?

By Francesca Gains Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Urban Posted: March 6, 2017

Political devolution is well on it’s way in Greater Manchester, with the health and social care budget having been devolved last April and with the imminent election of the Metro Mayor in May. However, there have been criticisms over how representative those making the devolution deals are of the communities they make decisions for. In the […]