Addressing the Conservatives reputational deficit – the case for a Tory wealth tax

21^st April 2015

As other journalists and commentators have noted, despite the impressive achievements of the Conservatives in coalition – jobs up, incomes increased and bureaucracy streamlined – the party still has a reputation for cut-throat ‘nastiness’ and serving entrenched privilege.

Conservatives + Manifesto + Tax + Wealth

Health North: A step in the right direction for addressing health equity in the North of England?

21^st April 2015

Our health and social care systems are at a crossroads and of the wide-ranging health challenges currently facing the UK, one of the most unsettling issues is the persistent health inequalities experienced by populations across the North of England.

Health + Life Sciences + LifeSci + NHS + North

Life Sciences: The key to a 21st Century NHS

20^th April 2015

As we approach polling day, I believe the choice we are facing on the future of the NHS is becoming ever more clear. The choice is simple: between the focus of Jeremy Hunt and the Conservative Health team on supporting NHS leaders to improve the culture of care and transparency, promote patient empowerment and accelerate access to new treatments by unlocking the power of the NHS as a pioneer of medical innovation, and the depressing sight of Andy Burnham determined to ‘weaponise’ the NHS for partisan advantage.

Health + Life Sciences + LifeSci + NHS

A Community Finance Foundation: Helping the financial sector fulfil its civic duty

17^th April 2015

When we step back and review how our lives work one thing that becomes abundantly clear is that they are entwined with the financial system. On a daily basis, we depend on financial services to enable us to eat, work and sleep.

Community Finance: Expanding credit unions sustainably

16^th April 2015

The years since the turn of the century have been ones of growth and modernisation in the credit union sector. In 2000, there were 687 credit unions with 325,000 members, lending £175 million and with total assets of £214 million.

Community finance + Credit + Debt + Finance

Labour’s Manifesto: A more radical vision is needed

15^th April 2015

There are two valid criticisms of Labour’s manifesto. One mentioned by a Labour loyalist friend of mine who tweeted ‘Labour should have produced a shiny looking short-form manifesto alongside the real thing’.

Blue Labour + General Election 2015 + Labour Party + Manifesto + Red Tory

Community Finance: The state of play in 2015

15^th April 2015

With over 200 people attending across the Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFI) industry, as well as across the private, public and public sectors, there was an undeniable buzz around Community Finance 2015 – the CDFA’s annual conference – at the Grand Connaught Rooms last month.

Community finance + Credit + Debt + Finance

Hot Air not Warm Homes: Why the Greens’ manifesto commitments on energy efficiency are not credible

14^th April 2015

In previous years the release of the Green Party General Election manifesto has not been accompanied with a great deal of interest from the national media, but with a growing share of the vote and with the outcome of the election staggeringly uncertain, the party may yet help to determine who forms the new administration.

Energy + Energy Efficiency + GE2015 + Green Part + Manifesto

Right to Buy, Wrong to Sell: Why the Conservatives’ ‘Right to Buy’ for Housing Associations will do more harm than good

14^th April 2015

It is further evidence of the priority now accorded to housing policy by the public and the media that much of the interest in the Conservative Party manifesto, published today, has focused on the proposed extension of the ‘right to buy’ policy to housing association (HA) tenants.

Conservatives + GE2015 + Housing + Right to Buy

Community Finance: Providing better financial services for individuals and small businesses

14^th April 2015

Since the financial crisis of 2008 there have been significant changes in access to credit. Much has been written about difficulties faced by small businesses, and the behaviour of banks withdrawing from small loans and (perceived) high risk investments.

Community finance + Credit + Debt + Finance