In this blog James Baker, Chief Executive Officer of Graphene@Manchester, explores the UK approach to innovation and finding the next ‘Big Thing’ to stay competitive at a global level. North America continue to produce a succession pioneers who have delivered innovation through highly disruptive products and services. The UK approach to innovation is different with […]
Can Greater Manchester blaze the trail with an inclusive local industrial strategy?
Greater Manchester (GM) is one of a handful of ‘trailblazer’ areas selected to work with government on a local industrial strategy (LIS), due to be signed off in a few weeks’ time. As deliberations enter their final stages, Ruth Lupton, Head of the Inclusive Growth Analysis Unit (IGAU), looks at how the strategy might shape […]
Fine weather ahead for the nuclear industry?
On the 28 June, the long awaited “Nuclear Sector Deal” was launched. The response from the nuclear industry has been enthusiastic and it could be an important step in establishing a nuclear renaissance. Professor Juan Matthews of the Dalton Nuclear Institute takes a closer look at the likely impact and some other recent developments. The […]
Manchester has its housing problems – but comparisons to London are off the mark
Tom Arnold, a postgraduate researcher of economic development in Northern England, examines current housing policy in Greater Manchester and the challenge to develop a housing strategy which supports its growing economy whilst simultaneously tackling homelessness and deprivation. Housing policy in Manchester is under scrutiny and campaign groups are concerned that the city centre is becoming […]
What’s not to like about regeneration?
Appraisals of regeneration have previously focused on the benefits such schemes bring, rather than also looking at costs and risks. Here Dr Julia Kasmire and Matjaz Vidmar use Glasgow as a case study to ask who stands to benefit the most from regeneration. Glasgow’s regeneration scheme has promised 15,000 new jobs but it is not […]
The Industrial Strategy White Paper: A Rebalancing Act?
Following the unveiling of the Government’s Industrial Strategy White Paper, Tom Arnold, a postgraduate researcher of economic development in Northern England, examines what it could mean for spatial rebalancing. An improved awareness of where and why economic activity happens, and an approach which encourages longer-term investment, is welcome Since the financial crisis, there have been […]
Time to Reset the Targets for High Speed 2
High Speed 2 is the planned railway linking London, Birmingham, the East Midlands, Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester. Although the first two phases of construction have been approved by Parliament, the details and route of the project have still not been formalised and are open to changes. Professor Nuno Gil urges the Government to accept that […]
How Greater Manchester’s new mayor could use transport policy to get the city region moving
When the victorious Greater Manchester Mayor emerges next May, they will find themselves with significant transport powers – but strong leadership and beefed-up accountability will be needed to realise the full benefits, argues Luke Raikes. This time next year, Greater Manchester will be experiencing its first ever mayoral election campaign. This will be a significant […]
UK productivity is a leadership challenge
This week Bank of England chief Mark Carney – and the University of Manchester’s own Ken Clark – highlighted the problem with productivity that our economy faces. Here Chris Bones offers some solutions. Whilst the coalition government delivered employment and growth it did far less well on productivity. The Bank of England reports that UK […]
Transport can be the driver for the Northern Powerhouse
The outgoing coalition government launched the Northern Transport Strategy just days before the start of the General Election campaign – surely no coincidence. Professor Graham Winch looks beyond the short-term politics to explain why the outlined investment is worth it. The just published Northern Transport Strategy aims to use better transport links in Northern England […]