inclusive growth

Turning gadgets into productivity

By Bart van Ark Filed Under: All posts, Digital Futures, Growth and Inclusion, Inclusive Growth, Levelling up, OnProductivity, Science and Technology, UK economy Posted: December 13, 2022

The Industrial Revolution brought about great economic success in the north of the United Kingdom that translated into a social, cultural and urban transformation. However, the Digital Revolution of today has not had the same impact on the UK, and particularly, the north. In this blog, Professor Bart van Ark explores how and why productivity […]

The UK productivity-governance puzzle

By Dave Richards, Patrick Diamond and Anna Sanders Filed Under: British Politics, Devo, Growth and Inclusion, Inclusive Growth, Levelling up, OnProductivity Posted: December 2, 2022

The productivity issue in the UK is often framed as an issue driven by economic outcomes. This idea neglects some of the more complex structures that exist and contribute to the economic gaps in the UK. Professor Dave Richards, Professor Patrick Diamond and Dr Anna Sanders outline how government policy in the UK is too […]

Local employment charters: re-defining productivity with employers?

By Ceri Hughes Filed Under: Growth and Inclusion, Inclusive Growth, OnProductivity Posted: November 11, 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on the harsh reality of insecure working conditions that many workers – particularly those in the front line – are subject to. Good employment charters are one way to ensure the security of good work. Implementing good employment charters in local policy agendas can increase productivity and develop more […]

How public procurement can influence innovation, productivity and societal challenges

By Elvira Uyarra Filed Under: All posts, Growth and Inclusion, OnProductivity, UK economy Posted: August 9, 2022

The public sector is an extremely influential buyer in the market. Through public procurement, the government can influence productivity in various ways. It can develop and scale up productivity-enhancing innovations, and it can reward more innovative suppliers by shaping markets and amplifying innovative practices and technologies. Her applicable policy recommendations focus on improving poignance of […]

The case for a guaranteed basic income pilot in Greater Manchester

By Anthony Rafferty and Alex Macdougall Filed Under: All posts, Growth and Inclusion, Inclusive Growth, UK economy Posted: July 27, 2022

While the COVID-19 pandemic and current cost of living crisis has exacerbated social inequalities and economic insecurity, it has also opened a window of opportunity to explore new forms of policy innovation to build back a fairer and more economically secure society. In this blog and in a new report for the Work and Equalities […]

Creativity, industry and devolved responsibility: how local industrial strategies can support levelling up

By Abigail Gilmore Filed Under: All posts, Growth and Inclusion, Levelling up Posted: July 21, 2022

Local creative and cultural industries strategies can play a key role in devolution policy, and understanding the differences and nuances of local industrial strategies helps inform policymakers looking at cultural and creative industries-led ‘levelling up’. Ultimately, policy should be shaped by local strategy and regional identity as much as national goals. This blog raises policy […]

LGBT+ inequalities in adolescent wellbeing

By Neil Humphrey Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Growth and Inclusion Posted: June 21, 2022

Improving wellbeing in every area of the UK is the overarching ambition of the Levelling Up White Paper, and government has said it will undertake further work to supplement existing wellbeing data at a subnational level. In Greater Manchester, a community-led, hyper-local project is underway to understand and improve children and young people’s wellbeing, and […]

Greater Manchester economy: response to crises

By Marianne Sensier Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Devo, Growth and Inclusion, Inclusive Growth Posted: March 28, 2022

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 […]

The digital economy could be more productive – but will it be more inclusive?

By Bart van Ark Filed Under: All posts, Digital Futures, Growth and Inclusion Posted: January 6, 2022

Digital technology can help people to remain productive despite disruptions to daily life. However, this is only possible when people are able to access and use the technology that is available to them. Here, Professor Bart van Ark from The Productivity Institute warns of the dangers of a K-shaped recovery and lists the steps that […]

The north-west’s productivity crisis: Causes, challenges and solutions

By Kieron Flanagan Filed Under: All posts, Growth and Inclusion Posted: November 29, 2021

The north-west has a long-term productivity problem, with the productivity gap widening over the past 15 years. But there is much that policymakers can do. In this blog, Professor Kieron Flanagan from the Manchester Institute of Innovation Research reflects on findings from the newly released North-West Productivity Forum Green Paper, on the causes of the […]