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Opinion and Editorial from the Policy Exchange team.
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Recent Comment

It’s time for the Crown Prosecution Service to grow up
Karen Sosa, Crime & Justice Research Fellow at Policy Exchange and author of recent report In the Public Interest, writes highlighting failings with the Crown Prosecution Service. She calls for greater accountability for the organisation, as well as a greater public-facing approach to its work.

Crisis? What Crisis? Why Andrew Lilico is wrong to say the UK has no shortage of housing
Alex Morton, Policy Exchange’s Head of Housing, Planning & Urban Policy, responds to an article by Andrew Lilico asserting that there is no housing shortage in London and the South East. Alex points out the flaws stemming from the terminology used and calls for a less restrictive planning regime to help get more homes built.

Don’t set different parts of the UK against each other
David Skelton, Policy Exchange’s Deputy Director, argues in response to a recent article by Kelvin MacKenzie that narrowing the North/South divide is a priority for long-term prosperity across the whole of the UK. David said this goal should not be cheapened by outdated stereotypes about the North.

A new Bank of England for a new Governor
James Barty, Policy Exchange’s Senior Consultant for Financial Policy and author of recent Policy Exchange reportReform of the Bank of England, sets out recommendations for reform from the report including ceding power to the Deputy Governors, greater external influence and hiring more people with financial experience.

The great divide
Neil O’Brien, Policy Exchange’s Director, discusses the failure to close the North/South divide, arguing that both Westminster politicians and Northern council leaders fail to understand the nature of the problems the North faces. He makes recommendations which would help boost the Northern economy, including welcoming successful academy chains, local pay bargaining and planning reform.

The Work Programme – progress but still lots to do
Ed Holmes, Policy Exchange’s Senior Research Fellow for Economics & Social Policy, argues that it is too early to judge the success of the Work Programme at this stage and that there are reasons – such as the focus on sustainable employment – to be optimistic about the Programme.

The quest for digital skills
Chris Yiu, Head of Digital Government at Policy Exchange, argues that the UK has the potential to be a world leader in the high-tech and digital economy. Chris sets out findings from Policy Exchange report Bits and Billions, arguing the government needs to make it easier for UK digital start-ups to hire overseas talent.

Lynton Crosby’s three main priorities when he enters CCHQ
Nick Faith, Head of Communications at Policy Exchange, sets out three main priorities that Lynton Crosby needs to address when he joins the Conservative party’s 2015 election campaign. Nick cites findings from Policy Exchange’s reportNorthern Lights which found that the Conservative party lacks support in the North and in urban areas.

How to win in the North. Action on fuel duty, planning, job creation – and an industrial strategy
David Skelton, Deputy Director at Policy Exchange, shows how drastic the decline of the Conservative party has been in the North of England, with the party lacking representation even at a council level in some cities like Liverpool. He cites polling results from Policy Exchange’s Northern Lights report which show that the Conservatives must focus on cost of living issues and job creation if they wish to win such areas back.

Putting rocket boosters on the rehabilitation revolution
Max Chambers, Policy Exchange’s new Head of Crime & Justice, analyses Justice Secretary Chris Grayling’s speech on Payment by Results (PbR). Max welcomes the renewed focus on the PbR agenda, but argues that PbR needs to be a means to a bigger end – a truly outcome-focused criminal justice system where all parties are focused on a common aim.