Andrew Gimson reviews Policy Exchange and Conservative Home's "What will the government’s social reform agenda mean in practice?"conference event.
Policy Exchange's Director, Dean Godson, has been recognised as one of the most influential figures in London. The Evening Standard's 'Top 1000' list references Godson's work in their annual index.
Philip Johnston, writes for The Daily Telegraph on judges making political decisions and the work of Policy Exchange's Judicial Power Project.
The Daily Mail reports on the Policy Exchange Britain in the World Project’s new report and what it means for the future of UK Foreign Policy. “He was speaking as the influential Policy Exchange thinktank urged the Government to signal Britain will still be a major military player after leaving the EU by increasing its defence spending beyond the current 2 per cent of GDP. Ministers were also urged […]
Paul Goodman, writing for Conservative Home, discusses Policy Exchange's recent event about Britain's post-Brexit trade strategy.
Tom Tugendhat MP writes for the Times about the response to the Chilcot Report and his work with the late Jo Cox MP on a new Britain in the World paper.
In his recent column, Charles Moore writes about the upcoming Britain in the World paper from Policy Exchange by Tom Tugendhat MP and the late Jo Cox MP. “Before she was murdered, Jo Cox MP had written most of a report. She worked on it jointly it with the Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat for the Britain in the World project at the think-tank Policy Exchange. Its publication had been intended to coincide with that […]
The Guardian discusses the North Sea oil industry with Richard Howard, Head of Environment & Energy at Policy Exchange.
BBC News cites Richard Howard, Policy Exchange's Head of Environment and Energy, calling for greater housing efficiency and how this can create many jobs, combat fuel poverty and reduce air pollution.
Ahead of the launch of the new Demography, Innovation and Immigration Unit this evening, David Goodhart has written a piece in The Telegraph. He says that while there has been a gradual increase in cross-ethnic friendship and the emergence of a larger ethnic-minority middle class, the speed and scale of recent immigration and the tension caused by global Islamic extremism impacting on already segregated Muslim communities means that improving integration has to be a priority for the government.
Schools Week covers the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission's report based on ways to improve teacher recruitment, and includes a Policy Exchange recommendation on teacher relocation packages.
“Nick Gibb, the education minister, used his foreword for a Policy Exchange report Knowledge and the Curriculum, to put some flesh on the bones of his Government’s rationale for educational reform.” See the full article on The Telegraph
The Independent cites the influence of Policy Exchange's Future Prisonsreport - and its proposals for new "Hub" prisons - on the government's prisons plans.
Writing in The Guardian after the release of a new social care index, Jamie Horton cites findings from Policy Exchange's Reforming Social Care report that the volume of available social workers will not meet demand until 2022.
Up In the Air, Policy Exchange's new report on air pollution in London, is covered in a leader column in the Evening Standard. The report shows that in some London boroughs as many as 60% of school children go to school in areas with air pollution that is higher than the legal limit.
Mark Wallace, ConservativeHome's Executive Editor, attributes a recent government decision to sell off old inner city prisons to work from Policy Exchange, most recently in our Future Prisonsreport.
Policy Exchange's Higher, Further, Faster, More report is covered by Times Higher Education in an article on university funding. The report called for some university funding to be transferred to the imperilled further education sector.
Writing in The Guardian, managing director of City & Guilds Kirstie Donnelly, supports calls from Policy Exchange's Higher, Further, Faster, More report for £532m of university funding to be redirected to the further education sector. She describes such a move as "absolutely invaluable".
Leading barrister Sean Aughey (11KBW) and former Army officer Tom Tugendhat MP critically dissect the legal reasoning of the Joint Committee on Human Rights’ report into drone warfare.
The crime rate is not low. Crime can be reduced further and this will benefit everyone but especially the most vulnerable. More police patrolling London’s streets will deliver less crime.
Authored by Rt Hon David Lammy MP, MP for Tottenham and prospective Labour candidate for London Mayor, Taking Its Toll says that an unaddressed property crime pandemic is sweeping Britain. Despite accounting for 75% of all recorded crime, the police and the courts have been turning a blind eye, Lammy states.
By 2050, global output is projected to treble, with two-thirds of growth coming from emerging economies. The developed world will have to change radically if it is to adapt to this new environment successfully. To realise the opportunities of the next four decades successfully – for the developing world to adapt to dramatic social and economic changes, and for the developed world to face its structural, fiscal and demographic challenges and ‘pay its way’ in the years ahead, it is vital that these long-term issues are addressed.
For too long, people from ethnic minorities have been categorised under the catch-all title of "BME". But this title does not depict the clear and meaningful differences between each of the communities that come under this title. A Portrait of Modern Britain draws on an extensive set of survey, census, academic and polling data to build up a detailed picture of the five largest minority groups in the UK. It outlines the demographics, geography, life experiences, attitudes and socioeconomic status of each of these major ethnic groups.
Taxing Issues? examines the barriers to home ownership, including the pros and cons of introducing new land and property taxes. The report argues that the best way to bring down the cost of home ownership and tackle market volatility is to scrap increases in property taxes, urging policymakers instead to focus on building 1.5 million new homes by 2020.
The UK is facing global challenges. Our research is world class, but we need to be better at taking our great scientific research and applying it. This pamphlet, by Universities and Science Minister Rt Hon David Willetts MP, sets out eight great technologies where we can do exactly that.
This report argues that the government should increase the number of looked after and disadvantaged children given the opportunity to attend boarding schools. Using residential schooling can provide children with stability at home and at school, is actually cheaper than foster care and disadvantaged children staying in boarding schools attain better grades.
Bigger and Quieter: The right answer for aviation examines all of the options for increasing airport capacity in the UK and concludes that the best option would be to place four runways immediately west of the current Heathrow site. This would double the existing capacity to 130 million passengers, cementing it as Europe’s premier hub.
Simple Things, Done Well supports the greater use of the internet to deliver more personalised, cheaper and speedier public services but says that the government must pay special attention to older people who often prefer face-to-face contact when carrying out activities such as paying bills, grocery shopping or banking. Four out of ten people aged 65 or over do not have access to the internet at home, with 5.4 million […]
Why Aren’t We Building Enough Attractive Homes: Myths, misunderstandings and solutions shows how large developers are ‘playing’ an outdated planning system and fooling the government into potentially wasting taxpayers' money propping up land prices. The report recommends wholesale changes to the planning system to end 'land banking', give local people planning control and get more good new homes built.
On 29 May Policy Exchange held a roundtable discussion on Retail Market Reform and the future shape of the domestic energy retail market. The discussion included experts from academia, large and small energy suppliers, consumer groups, government and the energy regulator. This publication is a summary of the remarks made at that event.
Father Figures reveals that the Child Support Agency has tended to put more emphasis on collecting child support from fathers who are working, ignoring those on benefit who are only required to contribute £5 a week. The report recommends imposing work obligations on these men and cutting their benefit if they don't comply.
Traditional thinking aligns economic growth with happiness. Conclusion: we’re in for a long dose of unhappiness. But the outlook for Britain need not be depressing. If governments, organisations and individuals responded with a new way of thinking, it would boost happiness and well-being.
This publication is a transcript of Lord Howard's speech at the Christopher Kingsland Memorial Lecture. Lord Howard argued in favour of reform of human rights legislation and bringing rights back from Strasbourg.
This collaborative think-piece was inspired by a series of interviews with experts from inside and outside the police service, and an online survey of prospective policing leaders of tomorrow. The observations we set out reflect upon these discussions and give rise to a number of key questions that warrant future debate.
Everyone wants a high performing education system but how to secure it is a hotly debated. In the UK we structure for educational mediocrity and we achieve it. We assume that that only a minority of advantaged children can reach high levels of educational performance. Meanwhile our economic rivals are more ambitious. They focus not on ‘choosing who is capable of achieving what’ but rather ‘what do we need as […]
Implementing GP Commissioning suggests that the Health and Social Care Bill’s proposals to abolish every Primary Care Trust (PCT) by 2013 could lead to the new structure replicating the existing system in all but name. The report says that by slowing down the proposed reforms, the potential to deliver real and lasting transformation in the NHS is enormous.
Policy Exchange responds to the measures announced in Budget 2011.
Planning Curses shows how despite efforts to streamline planning, vital projects are not going ahead because of over-elaborate and unrealistic economic predictions.
Designing Student Loans To Protect Low Earners outlines a new way to run student loans that will save taxpayers’ money while making sure that everyone equipped with enough talent and ambition can go to university. The proposals would see interest repayments on loans match the actual cost of borrowing by the Government.
Policy Exchange responds to the measures announced in today's Comprehensive Spending Review. The announcements for the Home Office, Ministry of Justice, Department of Communities and Local Government, Department of Energy and Climate Change, Department for Education, Department for Business Innovation and Skills and the Department of Health are all examined.
This Research Note outlines an eight point plan to eliminate spending on our railway system that provides little social or economic return.
In the first part of a major study into local government financial reform, Policy Exchange examines the history of local government funding in England and Wales, from feudalism through the Victorian period to present day. The authors show how the contemporary system of highly centralised control is a product of the government's desire to maintain uniformity and fiscal discipline.
The Renewal of Government is a short analysis of the many issues facing Britain today. It recommends a root-and-branch reform of public policy, and shows in detail how to implement it.
In this report, author Mark Boleat sets out some guiding principles for regulation covering in particular effective policy making, enforcement, combating "backdoor regulation", funding and evaluation.
In this short volume of essays, the leading think tanks debate the pros and cons of a range of approaches to putting democracy in the United Kingdom on a firmer footing. It features contributions from CentreForum, Demos, the Fabian Society, ippr, Policy Exchange and Reform.
The Power of Numbers looks at what population changes will mean as numbers continue to rise in the developing world, across Africa, Asia and the Middle East, and how the economic, political and military balance of power across the globe will be affected.
This report argues that the government's current model for educational intervention is intellectually incoherent, and stifles innovation within the teaching profession.
The “Right to buy” was one of the Thatcher government’s defining policies, offering new opportunities to many social tenants. The “Right to move” offers opportunities for all social tenants. It can be a defining policy for this decade.
All Change Please examines the challenges the NHS faces spreading the best ideas through the health system. It provides new analysis of how much is currently spent on innovation and diffusion, and makes seven recommendations on how to improve the system.
Cumulative social and political changes have undermined the concept of active citizenship on which the concepts of representative and responsible government have been based. Back From Life Support, written by Frank Field MP, suggests ways of bringing those key concepts back.
Leading academic and former government advisor Professor Alison Wolf reports how the British Government have ludicrously over-estimated the benefits of raising the education and training leaving age to 18 and massively under-estimated the costs.
Learning the Hard Way: a strategy for special educational needs argues that the inclusion debate misses the fundamental point: that it is parents, not politicians, who are best placed to decide where their children should be educated. It is parent choice, rather than ‘expert’ opinion, that should drive policy.
This is the published version of the inaugural Colin Cramphorn Memorial Lecture, hosted by Policy Exchange, given by Peter Clarke, the Head of the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command. The lecture focused on the issues of national security and the fight against terrorism since 9/11.
Martin Bright's unique run of classified 'scoops' on the British State's policy of accommodating Islamist reactionaries at home and abroad has set all kinds of dovecotes a-flutter in Whitehall. Now, courtesy of Policy Exchange, Bright has brought them all together in one accessible pamphlet - as well as some hitherto unpublished material which the Government would rather we never had seen.
Much of the discourse on the war on terror has sacrificed historical perspective for an often partisan focus on the day-by-day flow of events. Confessions of a hawkish hack: the media and the war on terror is Matthew D’Ancona’s critique of such short-termism. In it, he outlines his own interpretation of the attacks of 9/11 and the media’s coverage of events since then.
No More School Run: Proposal for a national yellow bus scheme in the UK argues that a system of school buses would increase punctuality for all road users, have economic benefits and improve quality of life.
Hands up for school choice! Lessons from school choice schemes at home and abroad examines case studies from abroad, drawing out common characteristics of school choice and the use of voucher schemes involving both public and private providers.
By Richard Murphy This report is a supplement to a previous joint report by nefand Policy Exchange on the reform of the revenue finance system of local government in England, Nothing to lose but your chains: Reforming the English local government finance system and focuses on the reform of the much-overlooked local capital finance system.
Taming Terrorism reminds us that despite al-Qaeda's global reach and use of modern technology, today's global struggle is not unprecedented. We have beaten similar groups before and can do so again.
Big Bang Localism: a Rescue Plan for British Democracy, proposes a radical decentralisation of government. The report calls for a re-empowerment of the counties and cities to which people feel loyalty, with many services delegated further to municipalities and parishes.
Nothing to lose but your chains is the third volume of a major study into the reform of local government finance in England. It sets out the authors' proposals for a comprehensive, yet practical, reform of the local revenue finance system.
By Alicia Collinson Domestic violence is a serious issue in Britain but there is much uncertainty about the scale of the problem and how to address it through the law. How will the Government’s proposed Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Bill improve the situation – if at all? Tough Love examines the magnitude of domestic violence problems and what risks and benefits the proposed legal measures will represent. Furthermore, the author […]
By Tony Travers, Lorena Esposito In the second volume of their study, Professor Travers and Lorena Esposito review the current system of local government finance, setting out its shortcomings, and conclude that even the most basic requirements of a good local finance system are not being met. The authors set out the principles that guide an effective and accountable finance system.
This report concludes that the solution to the problem of long-term youth unemployment is to replace the New Deal with Workfare, pioneered in Wisconsin, which has successfully and efficiently reduced welfare rolls.
Lion Cubs brings together four country case studies – of Tanzania, Botswana, Rwanda and Mozambique. The studies show that even the poorest and most divided societies can be turned around, given good policies and – harder – the will to put them into practice.
In the first part of a major study into local government financial reform, Policy Exchange examines the history of local government funding in England and Wales, from feudalism through the Victorian period to present day. The authors show how the contemporary system of highly centralised control is a product of the government's desire to maintain uniformity and fiscal discipline.
This report examines how to identify and help the 7.7 million people of working age classed as 'economically inactive'.
Tom Tugendhat MP references his Policy Exchange paper "The Fog of Law" in the Daily Telegraph.
On Sky News, Theresa May discusses the plans to outlaw "vexatious" legal claims against British troops, an issue highlighted by Policy Exchange's report "The Fog of Law".
Policy Exchange hosts a series of events at the Conservative Party's conference in Birmingham
Rt Hon Greg Clark MP joins the panel of Policy Exchange's event, "A Modern Day Industrial Strategy: What Is The Role Of The Midlands Engine?"
Tuesday 4th October
15:30-16:30
Conservative Conference, Policy Exchange Marquee (ENT 1), The ICC, Birmingham
Tom Tugendhat MP discusses the enquiry into alleged abuse by British soldiers in Afghanistan on Radio 4.
In time for conference season, and already leading on the issues of today, Policy Exchange reveals its new senior line-up, with key facts about fresh and familiar faces.
Policy Exchange examine the Budget and how much it delivers on its key themes; "Long Term Solutions to Long Term Problems", "Putting the Next Generation First" and a "Devolution Revolution".
Former First Parliamentary Counsel Sir Stephen Laws describes how judicial review of policy has a chilling effect on political decision making, diminishing democratic accountability.
In this post Rebecca Elvin reflects on the separation of powers in the UK constitution and argues that politicians, rather than judges, are best placed to determine the public interest.
In this post Lord Carlile CBE QC, Liberal Democrat peer and former Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, expresses reservations about the role of judges in the 'double lock' authorisation process set out in the draft Investigatory Powers Bill.
In this post Professor Christopher Forsyth (University of Cambridge) comments on the "double lock" proposals set out in the draft Investigatory Powers Bill, which would require Judicial Commissioners (High Court judges) to approve decisions of the Home Secretary to issue interception warrants.
Professor Richard Ekins, Director of Policy Exchange's Judicial Power Project, sets out how senior judges have exceeded the limits of their constitutional authority in the Evans v Attorney General case, which forced the disclosure of Prince Charles' correspondence with ministers.
ConservativeHome Assistant Editor Henry Hill quotes from John Finnis's recent article for Policy Exchange's Judicial Power Project on changes to the Ministerial Code. Professor Finnis argued that the 2010 Code implied an overarching duty to comply with international law and treaty obligations, which was not constitutionally sound.
Following the recent controversy over changes to the Ministerial Code, Professor John Finnis explains for Policy Exchange's Judicial Power Project, why the 2010 Code was wrong to imply that Ministers have an overarching duty to comply with international law and treaty obligations and why the formulation used in the 2015 Code is constitutionally sound.
Policy Exchange's research units set out in brief what Jeremy Corbyn's leadership could mean for the Labour party in the areas of economics and financial policy; devolution; housing; transport; energy and climate change; and education.
Michael Osborne and Stuart Russell, both speakers at our recent event The Future of Intelligence, provide a breakdown of their thoughts on the potential and risks that the greater use of artificial intelligence will bring.
Tom Tugendhat, former Military Assistant to the Chief of the Defence Staff and co-author of Policy Exchange’s new Clearing the Fog of Law report sets out the report on ConservativeHome. He calls for to the UK to derogate from the European Convention on Human Rights for all future overseas armed conflicts, following instead the rules laid down in the Geneva Conventions.
Tom Tugendhat, former Military Assistant to the Chief of the Defence Staff and co-author of Policy Exchange's new released Clearing the Fog of Law report, sets out the risks held by 'lawfare' for Britain's armed forces. Tom argues that the application of the ECHR to British forces fighting overseas is diminishing their capabilities and putting soldiers' lives at risk.
Gavin Knight, author of our report The Estate We're In, highlights how deprived estates can be successfully transformed from within by locally-minded, determined and creative individuals who catalyse huge change. Our report calls for politicians from all parties to pledge to turn around the most deprived council estates within the next decade and uses case studies, such as those outlined in the blog, to extract best practice.
David Lammy MP, Policy Exchange's new Visiting Fellow, calls for property crime to be tackled head on. It is an issue that touches people from all backgrounds, but particularly the low paid and most disadvantaged, yet half of all reported property crimes result in 'no further action' by the Metropolitan Police. Property crime needs to shoot up the public policy agenda as a matter of urgency.
Ahead of the launch of the Wolfson Prize for Economics, Lord Simon Wolfson writes that inspired new garden cities in the countryside could be the answer to the UK's housing crisis, and explains why he is launching this £250,000 prize to find the best way to build one.
Thomas Tugendhart, author of our latest report The Fog of Law and former Military Assistant to the Chief of Defence Staff, argues that mounting legal challenges against the Ministry of Defence will mean commanders will need to worry not only about what the enemy are thinking, but also what a judge in the future will think.
Nicholas Boys Smith, co-author of recent Policy Exchange housing report Create Streets, argues that high rise housing estates, which subject the people who live there to social deprivation and high crime rates, should be demolished and replaced with terraced houses in real streets.
Tim Leunig, Chief Economist at Centre Forum and author of Policy Exchange's recent report Bigger and Quieter, sets out the case for building four new runways to the west of Heathrow, doubling the airport's current aviation capacity. He also lays out ways in which the airport layout can be changed to make the experience far more convenient.
