Expert insight, analysis and comment on key public policy issues
How significant will the elected mayoral role be for Greater Manchester – asks Iain Deas – and who will be that mayor? Simon Jenkins recently treated readers of the Guardian to an account of the rebuilding of city-regional governance in Greater Manchester. The story was of heroic struggle by Manchester’s civic leaders, guided by the […]
By Liz Richardson Filed Under: Featured Posted:
New research and a set of interactive charts and maps are launched today by the Greater Manchester Poverty Action Group (GMPAG), together with the University of Manchester, revealing the continuing extent of poverty among the city region’s poorest residents. This new research sets out key poverty data for Greater Manchester, made available through an interactive […]
By Nissa Finney Filed Under: Ethnicity, Featured Posted:
How ethnic minorities fare compared to the White British varies according to where they live, writes Dr Nissa Finney. She argues that addressing ethnic inequalities is an important local concern. In Manchester, a quarter of ethnic minorities live in overcrowded housing compared to around one in ten of the White British population. The unemployment rate […]
By Ed Cox Filed Under: Featured, Westminster Watch Posted:
Should the Government’s new devolution settlement for Greater Manchester be welcomed? Ed Cox – who is set to speak in Manchester this Thursday about the regions – offers a clear ‘Yes’ vote. There can be little doubt that the agreement reached between the Chancellor and the leaders of the 10 local authorities that make up […]
By Stephanie Snow Filed Under: Featured, Science and Technology Posted:
A new report in the British Medical Journal on centralising acute stroke services in Greater Manchester and London reveals the revolution in stroke care and treatment over the last twenty years – and it contains vital lessons for patients and policymakers, explains Dr Stephanie Snow. Around 152,000 of us will suffer from stroke in the […]
By Arpana Verma Filed Under: All posts, Featured Posted:
For the first time in human history more people now live in cities than don’t. Yet urban areas continue to be characterised by what are often extreme and stark variations in economic and social health, says Dr Arpana Verma. It is no surprise that the juxtaposition of the urban rich living right next to the […]
Anti-immigration parties gained support in the European elections, but politicians’ real challenge is to reform a system that treats undocumented migrants unfairly, argues Dr Claire Fox. Despite the election rhetoric and growing support for anti-immigration politicians, the number of undocumented, ‘irregular’, migrants in the UK probably fell in recent years. Increasingly tough immigration policies and […]
As our population ages we need to be making much more effort to make our towns and cities more age-friendly, say Dr Tine Buffel and Sophie Handler. Study after study has shown that people want to stay in their own homes for as long as possible in later life. An attachment to a particular place […]
By Iain Deas, Graham Haughton and Stephen Hincks Filed Under: Featured, Westminster Watch Posted:
The BBC’s Evan Davis says Britain needs a second ‘super city’ – and this could be Hebden Bridge. Dr Iain Deas, Prof Graham Haughton and Dr Stephen Hincks are sceptical. In his BBC series Mind the Gap: London v the Rest, Evan Davis argued that the UK’s economy is held back because London is our […]
By James Evans and Gabriele Schliwa Filed Under: Featured Posted:
For cities such as Manchester to operate a fully sustainable transport system they must make cycling mainstream, say Dr James Evans and Gabriele Schliwa. Their study into how to make the vision reality has policy implications for the whole of the UK. Manchester may be the home of British Cycling, but does the city fully […]