infrastructure

The Industrial Strategy White Paper: A Rebalancing Act?

By Tom Arnold Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Growth and Inclusion Posted: November 28, 2017

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

By Nuno Gil Filed Under: All posts Posted: November 1, 2016

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

By Luke Raikes Filed Under: All posts, Devo, Urban Posted: April 4, 2016

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

By Chris Bones Filed Under: All posts Posted: May 15, 2015

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

By Graham Winch Filed Under: Devo, Featured, Whitehall Watch Posted: April 24, 2015

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 […]

How the high cost of PFI has added to the deficit

By Anne Stafford Filed Under: Featured, Whitehall Watch Posted: April 21, 2015

The debate on the deficit has been dominated by the cost of bailing-out the banks and the affordability of the welfare state. The impact of expensive PFI contracts should not be overlooked, explains Dr Anne Stafford. No matter who wins the General Election, the next government will have to deal with the growing cost of […]

The great pension rip-off

By John Read Filed Under: Featured Posted: April 13, 2015

Workers and employers pay a fortune into pension schemes. Yet they put up with a system that delivers very poor value for money, explains John Read. Pension schemes face serious challenges – an ageing society and poor investment returns following the ‘Great Recession’ are just two of them. In short, pension systems have not moved […]

Why devolution is good for the economy

By Diane Coyle Filed Under: Devo, Featured, Whitehall Watch Posted: March 2, 2015

The case for the devolution of power away from London has centred on the political arguments. Professor Diane Coyle looks at the economic reasons. The context for the devolutionary tide in politics – to the nations and within England to the north and especially Greater Manchester – is that the United Kingdom has long been […]

A Grand Plan for the North needs to start with dreams

By Ed Cox Filed Under: Featured, Urban Posted: July 18, 2014

With growing calls for the UK to reverse an historic trend of chronic under investment in infrastructure, IPPR North’s Ed Cox believes it’s time to seek out the best and the brightest big ideas. The UK has “chronically underinvested in infrastructure, trailing that of other leading global economies.” That was the damning verdict of the RSA’s City […]

Axeman Beeching’s myopia is cautionary lesson for HS2 policymakers

By Cameron Roberts Filed Under: Featured Posted: December 17, 2013

National bogeyman Dr Richard Beeching is not an obvious figure to turn to for inspiration, amid the white heat of the HS2 debate. But, writes Cameron Roberts, when it comes to the claims and counter-claims over cost-benefit estimates, his legacy warns us not to focus too narrowly on the economics. Complaining, as Colin Cram did […]