Earlier this year, Professor Juan Matthews contributed to a policy blog on the consequences of Britain’s planned withdrawal from Euratom as part of the Brexit process. Here, he gives us an update on the progress (or lack of it) around the issues of Euratom withdrawal and scientific collaboration with the European Union. In the months […]
Grenfell Tower Inquiry: learn lessons and implement changes
The Grenfell Tower fire saw 80 or more adults and children die in their homes in an entirely preventable disaster. Here, Gill Kernick, who helps high hazard industries prevent major accidents and personally witnessed the disaster, and Martin Stanley (Editor, Understanding Regulation) argue that the fire was a terrible failure of government, leadership and regulation […]
What health and social care can learn from UK devolution
Greater Manchester has announced its plans for health and social care devolution and its oversight of providers. Joy Furnival examines health and social care oversight functions across the UK and asks what Greater Manchester can learn from these. Devolution and integration of health and social care in Greater Manchester (GM) is the first of its […]
TTIP could generate a ‘race to the top’
Far from creating an expanded free trade area in which anything goes, as critics claim, the TTIP is more likely to raise international standards through a regulatory ‘race to the top’, argues Patricia Garcia-Duran Huet. As part of Manchester Policy Week, policy@manchester will host a debate on the pros and cons of TTIP in Manchester […]
What should responsible innovation look like in our society?
The emerging concept of responsible innovation is already taking hold in science policy and governance, writes Jonny Hankins. He argues for a multi-faced approach that emphasises reflexivity, involves public engagement from the outset and brings on board social scientists. The phrase ‘responsible innovation’ is cropping-up ever more frequently in policy documents in the UK, Europe […]
Do we need a ‘new settlement’ with Europe – or just a better sausage factory?
In seeking a ‘new settlement’ with the European Union (EU), the UK government is ignoring the existing rules and procedures that should already govern law making, argues Clive Bates. Here he focuses on a current example, the regulation of e-cigarettes, highlights the broader faults in the current process and offers some solutions. Otto Von Bismark […]
Time is ripe to overhaul UK’s messy surrogacy legislation
Dr Danielle Griffiths, along with colleagues Dr Amel Alghrani and Professor Margot Brazier, argue that existing law and regulation of surrogacy in the UK offers little guidance, is out of touch with reality, and needs overhauling as a matter of some urgency The surrogacy industry in India is booming. It has been estimated that Britain is […]
Electronic cigarettes: public health problem or potential solution?
The use of electronic cigarettes in the UK continues to grow, posing complex challenges for regulators and public health policymakers alike. Current debates represent a struggle over whether e-cigs will ultimately be viewed as a trusted medicine, an everyday consumer product or a problematic recreational drug, writes Dr Catriona Rooke. In June the UK medicines […]