This work was mostly behind the scenes, but if you're interested in how academic research can inform policymaking, please do have a look at Policy@Manchester's articles page, which summarises academic research from The University of Manchester for policymaker audiences. blog.policy.manchester.ac.uk
Finally, huge thanks to my colleagues Terri Lucas and Callum Wood. Your insight, challenge and existing work in this space provided the foundations that made this possible.
Given the competing demands on academic researchers, their willingness to step up was especially impressive. It’s been a real pleasure working with them, and I hope to do so again.
Huge thanks to Dr @lukemunford.bsky.social , Dr Philip Britteon and Dr Laura Anselmi for stepping up to the plate to make sure that policymakers had robust evidence to work with on this major piece of legislation.
This work was informed by brilliant researchers from the Health Organisation, Policy and Economics (@hope-uom.bsky.social) group at the University of Manchester.
It was also welcome to hear the Government commit, on the floor of the House, to closely monitoring how this new duty is embedded and used by metro mayors. That commitment is already shaping further conversations with officials and others.
I was hugely encouraged by the strong cross‑party and crossbench support, with the amendment being endorsed by the opposition front bench (Baroness Scott of Bybrook), a cross-bench scientist peer (Baroness Alex Freeman), and the former Green Party leader (@nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social).
The purpose of the amendment was to strengthen the Bill by expanding the health determinants mayors must consider, ensuring the duty reflects best‑practice academic research on what actually drives health inequalities.
The amendment focused on Clause 44 to the English Devolution and community Empowerment Bill, which would create a new duty on metro mayors and strategic authorities to improve and take account of health and tackle health inequalities.
A legislative amendment I led on was officially tabled, moved and debated in the House of Lords – in Grand Committee and again on the floor of the HoL chamber for report stage.
That's really interesting. How do you access the Ad Centre?
I think the Liaison Committee question session ahead of Boris Johnson's resignation was a key example of MPs 'wasting' their questions for a wider purpose, and that was in 2022!
This may be true, but equally I think I remember the veteran MP Chris Mullin talking about the same phenomenon in the 90s and 00's.
Of course there are great historic examples of MPs cooperating to pressure govt, but equally maybe even those were the exception rather than the norm?
It's especially bad because I only read maybe one to two dozen books a year cover-to-cover, and I'm quite particular about what I like. There's a good chance if you've identified a book I like that I probably already own it (and just haven't read it yet).
I appreciate your point RE books as gifts. I've inadvertently offended several friends by not reading the books they gifted me. I'm sorry, but I only have limited time and I don't want to spend 20+ hours reading something I don't enjoy just to show how important your friendship is to me.
As someone with three bookcases in their living room, including a good number of books I only partially read at uni (a long time ago)... this thread was a bit of a wake up call.
Hah what are the chances! Cheers will take a look
What is being achieved in Rochdale should be watched closely by local councils and metro-mayors across the country. With the Comprehensive Spending Review approaching, there are many ideas figures in the Treasury should consider. Read more 👇 blog.policy.manchester.ac.uk/urban/2025/0...
🗳️ To turn the Atom Valley vision into a reality more than £750m has been invested in the area since 2020. The sources of investment have included private capital, but critically it has been led by regional and national government.
📈📉 Many towns and cities end up in a negative feedback loop that is incredibly challenging to escape, making it all the more impressive Rochdale is charting a path out of this, as the report authors state here 👇
🔬Rochdale's increased productivity is thanks to a local investment strategy with the objective of making the town a global hub for advanced materials, through the creation of the Atom Valley.
🚌 There are of course areas where Rochdale and Greater Manchester need to go further, including improving bus services and apprenticeships, to allow residents to access new local jobs. However Rochdale’s productivity has already begun catching up to the national average.
I am excited to be working with The Productivity Institute on their excellent research into kickstarting productivity growth in the UK's towns and cities, improving lives and livelihoods in the process. They have completed an in depth report which puts Rochdale under the microscope.
Women runners are therefore a distinct group who frequently experience violence and abuse and need to be represented in the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) agenda.
6) Recognising women runners as a distinct group: The research shows that women often run at quiet times of the day (around work and childcare commitments), in less populated areas, wearing fewer and particular types of clothing, carrying few items, and are more frequently alone.
5) Improving access to green space: Mapping the police reported incidents revealed that women runners experience abuse in green spaces, including parks and paths next to waterways; places that are attractive for running. It is essential that women are able to access outdoor spaces for exercise.
4) Challenging attitudes: Campaigns, such as Greater Manchester’s ‘Is This Okay’ campaign, have sought to challenge the attitudes and behaviours of boys and men that contribute to gender-based violence.
3) Improving police knowledge & action: Improving reporting and increasing confidence in the police would improve the accuracy of police data. This intelligence could help identify patterns and detect perpetrators, as in one GMP operation, which led to a conviction of a serial perpetrator.
