Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues
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 […]
By Luke Raikes Filed Under: All posts, Devo, Urban Posted:
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 […]
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 […]
By Graham Winch Filed Under: Devo, Featured, Whitehall Watch Posted:
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 […]
By Anne Stafford Filed Under: Featured, Whitehall Watch Posted:
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 […]
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 […]
By Diane Coyle Filed Under: Devo, Featured, Whitehall Watch Posted:
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 […]
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 […]
By Cameron Roberts Filed Under: Featured Posted:
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 […]
While the recent hike in energy prices has made headlines, issues around the UK water supply get rather less attention. Breaching the UK’s impregnable ‘innovation barrier’ – to fix leaking pipes and tackle climate change – is one big challenge, writes Dr Andrew Balmer. Another is to prompt policymakers to be brave enough to ensure […]
