Centre for Public Policy

Today’s Lesson: Human Rights, Disability and Welfare Reform

Fri, 02 May 2025 15:36:00 BST

2 May 2025: Following announcements of proposed cuts to disability welfare in the UK, Dr Paul Pearson and Professor Jo Edson Ferrie examine the impact of this from a human rights perspective, writing 'by integrating human rights and equalities, we see both what is wrong with the world - inequalities - while also considering remedies to access justice'.

Watch - Child poverty and Scotland’s public debt crisis

Thu, 01 May 2025 11:27:14 BST

1 May 2025: A new video shares insights from the recent national conference on child poverty and public debt in Scotland, co-hosted by the Centre for Public Policy and Aberlour Children’s Charity, and how the Centre is creating space to talk about and find solutions to challenging policy issues.

Rethinking Health Inequalities: A Call for Action and Collaboration

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 08:59:00 BST

29 April 2025: Join the Centre for Public Policy and colleagues at the wider University of Glasgow for a conference to discuss how we build evidence-based policies that create real, lasting impact on Scotland’s health outcomes

An evaluation of policy changes to childcare provision in Edinburgh

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 12:43:00 BST

22 April 2025: The newly established Evaluation Hub at the Centre for Public Policy is undertaking an evaluation of a change to early learning and childcare provision in Edinburgh of behalf of the charity, Pregnant Then Screwed.

Unpicking the changes to disability support for young disabled people across the UK

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 16:08:00 BST

11 April 2025: Professor Charlotte Pearson and Professor Nick Watson from Urban Studies and Social Policy and the Centre for Disability Research write about changes to disability support in the UK, particularly the proposed withdrawal of Employment Support Allowance (ESA) for under 22-year-olds and the likely impact of this on young disabled people.

A reappraisal of the constitutional realities in Britain and Ireland at a time of seismic change

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 11:40:00 BST

8 April 2025: A new book, co-edited by Centre Director Professor Nicola McEwen, Political Change Across Britain and Ireland: Identities, Institutions and Futures is a ‘reappraisal of the constitutional realities in Britain and Ireland at a time of seismic change'.

Applications open for Research Associate post at the Centre for Public Policy

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 11:10:00 BST

7 April 2025: The University of Glasgow’s Centre for Public Policy is inviting applications for a Research Associate with an expertise in economic policy, with applications closing on 15 May.

The Energy that Made Modern Scotland

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 15:06:00 BST

3 April 2025: Dr Ewan Gibbs introduces his new podcast The Energy that Made Modern Scotland, co-hosted with UofG colleague Dr Dominic Hinde, which brings to life the story of North Sea energy through archive clips, expert interviews and academic analysis.

Centre for Public Policy launches Practice Fellow scheme for policy professionals

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 14:58:00 BST

2 April 2025: The University of Glasgow’s Centre for Public Policy (CPP) is now accepting applications for its first cohort of Practice Fellows, an opportunity for policy professionals to spend approximately 20 hours over six months working with the Centre to access academic insights into policy questions they face in their roles.

Honorary Professor elected as Academy of Social Sciences Fellow

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 09:01:00 BST

2 April 2025: Centre for Public Policy Honorary Professor Ken Thomson has been elected as a Fellow of the prestigious Academy of Social Sciences.

How might young people be affected by the cuts to welfare?

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 10:17:00 GMT

28 March 2025: Following the Chancellor’s Spring Statement this week, the Centre for Public Policy’s Dr Thomas Rochow examines how proposed cuts to health-related benefits might acutely impact young people, writing that more should be done to recognise that it is increasingly difficult for young people to enter meaningful employment.

Public debt and child poverty crisis addressed at national conference

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 10:59:00 GMT

26 March 2025: Scotland’s public debt crisis and its impact on child poverty was addressed at a national conference on Monday 17 March 2025, hosted by Aberlour Children’s Charity and the University of Glasgow’s Centre for Public Policy.

UK Government going full steam ahead with AI but left the people behind

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 14:22:00 GMT

24 March 2025: As Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces an increase in artificial intelligence (AI) use in the civil service, Dr Mark Wong examines the UK's approach to AI. Drawing on his research, he reflects that UK policy lags behind in developing responsible AI – a missed opportunity and a risk of potentially ‘dire consequences’, if it does not centre the voices, needs, and actions of people most impacted by AI harms.

Cooperation in Crisis (Part Two): How should the aid sector respond?

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 09:15:00 GMT

14 March 2025: Following their blog earlier this week into the impact of US aid agency shutdowns, Professor Bernhard Reinsberg, Dr Cecilia Corsini, and Dr Giuseppe Zaccaria explore how the aid sector should respond, sharing their research insights into public perceptions of foreign aid, and the need for a change in approach to aid built on trust and equal partnership.

Centre for Public Policy brings conversations on public finances and social security to Scottish Labour and SCVO conferences

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 17:46:37 GMT

13 March 2025: In February 2025, the Centre for Public Policy was out and about, hosting events at the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) conference the Gathering and the Scottish Labour Party Conference, discussing social security and public finances in Scotland.

Cooperation in Crisis (Part one): The impact of US aid agency shutdowns

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 15:52:00 GMT

10 March 2025: The decision by the new US administration to shut down its development agency sent shockwaves around the world. Professor Bernhard Reinsberg, Dr Cecilia Corsini, and Dr Giuseppe Zaccaria write about the 'dire' consequences of the cuts, not only for beneficiary countries and global development, but also for the rule of law and democracy in the US.

US trade tariff impacts on the UK: The economy, ‘national security’ and Europe

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 15:35:00 GMT

24 February 2025: What do recent tariff announcements on trade from new US President Trump mean for the UK? Dr Maha Rafi Atal, Senior Lecturer in Political Economy, breaks down the economic impact of the tariffs on the UK, it’s backing of the Trump administration’s ‘national security’ argument for tariffs, and potential consequences for UK-Europe relations.

Scrapping Universal Credit’s two-child limit in Scotland: A small price to pay for those deepest in poverty

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:35:00 GMT

20 February 2025: The Scottish Government announced in December 2024 that it will mitigate the impact of the two-child limit, which according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation would lift 10,000 children out of poverty if implemented today. In this blog, Dr Sarah Weakley explores the policy and details why this is a change long overdue.

At a glance: Your guide to the 2025 German federal election

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 14:51:00 GMT

20 February 2025: With the federal elections in Germany days away and the rise of populist radical right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) dominating media reports, Dr Petar Bankov examines what might happen in the elections and what the incoming German government might look like after Sunday’s vote.

Marginal Tax Rates, Cliff-Edges and Devolution

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 09:21:00 GMT

18 February 2025: Professor Graeme Roy writes for the Centre for Public Policy blog, exploring the unintended consequences of overlapping devolved and reserved decisions on taxation and social security.

Tired narrative speaks to narrow view of UK prosperity

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:16:00 GMT

Following a major speech from Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Professor Graeme Roy writes about the ‘tired narrative’ of economic growth, originally published in The Herald on 10 February 2025.

Upcoming Conference: Tackling Child Poverty Through Public Debt Reform

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 13:05:00 GMT

28 January 2025: The Centre for Public Policy at the University of Glasgow, in partnership with Aberlour Children’s Charity, is hosting a national conference dedicated to addressing child poverty through public debt reform.

New report on revising the Scottish Parliament and Government’s Written Agreement on Intergovernmental Relations

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 15:40:00 GMT

27 January 2025: A new report by Professor Nicola McEwen and Dr Coree Brown Swan recommends that a review of the Scottish Government-Scottish Parliament Written Agreement on Intergovernmental Relations should seek to strike a better balance between confidentiality and transparency, to strengthen the ability of the Scottish Parliament to hold government to account.

Where are the Women in the UK’s Green Energy Transition?

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 10:06:00 GMT

22 January 2025: Dr Hannah Salamon examines the unaddressed challenge on the path to net zero of gender inequality in the green energy sector and the problems this could present for the workforce

What does Electricity Market Reform mean for Scotland?

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 10:13:00 GMT

15 January 2025: Dr Nicholas Harrington examines the UK government's recent consultation on electricity market reform, the options that are still under consideration such as zonal pricing, and the impact those reform options might have on consumers.

Centre to explore how Scotland's finances stifle impactful public policy ambitions 

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 15:16:00 GMT

10 January 2025: The University of Glasgow’s Centre for Public Policy is hosting an event to discuss Scotland’s finances and public policy at the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations’ (SCVO) annual conference the Gathering, on Tuesday 4 February 2025.

How to mobilise research to strengthen climate scrutiny in the Scottish Parliament

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:34:00 GMT

16 December 2024: Dr Dan Barlow and Dr Sarah Weakley share key learnings from the Centre’s recent event with the Scottish Parliament Information Centre on how research evidence can strengthen climate scrutiny in the Scottish Parliament, and more about the Parliament’s forthcoming Climate Change Plan.

Centre for Public Policy secures funding for major anti-poverty project

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 10:59:00 GMT

16 December 2024: Funded by the Robertson Trust, the 18-month project will assess poverty in Scotland as a multi-level, multi-sector grand policy challenge, detailing the impact of siloed decision making on people living with poverty and use an innovative policy lab approach to drive solutions.

Centre for Public Policy convenes roundtable to discuss Innovation Districts

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 12:13:00 GMT

12 December 2024: In November, the Centre for Public Policy brought together academics, national and local government to discuss Innovation Districts and a new report from the International Public Policy Observatory (IPPO) that outlines how Innovation Districts can create economic growth.

Criminal justice, legal reform and devolution: Juryless trials and the Victims, Witnesses & Criminal Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 09:47:00 GMT

10 December 2024: Eamon Keane, Lecturer in Criminal Evidence and Procedure, and Principal Solicitor and Co-Director of the University's Emma Ritch Law Clinic, writes about the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill currently going through the Scottish Parliament, what it tells us about the process of criminal justice reform in Scotland post-devolution and the role of academic research in that process.

Upward revisions reflect a somewhat more positive outlook for Scotland

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 14:48:00 GMT

10 December 2024: In an article published on 9 December by The Herald newspaper, Professor Graeme Roy explores the details of the 2025/26 Scottish Budget announced last week and the broader economic picture in Scotland.

Learning from asylum appeals across Europe

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 11:20:00 GMT

9 December 2024: Dr Dan Fisher introduces his new co-authored book, Inside Asylum Appeals, which draws on observation of hundreds of asylum appeals across Europe. Included are policy and practice recommendations for legal professionals and other stakeholders.

Mission-led government is magical thinking without reform, warns report

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 11:34:00 GMT

4 December 2024: A new paper from Carnegie UK, in association with the Centre for Public Policy, suggests that the UK Government’s mission-based policy approach should learn lessons from the mixed success of reforms in public administration in Scotland and Wales.

Tackling declining life expectancy in the UK caused by austerity

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 10:04:00 GMT

29 November 2024: Against the backdrop of the recent UK Budget and the upcoming Scottish Budget, Professor Gerry McCartney and Dr David Walsh explain how austerity has caused a decline in life expectancy in the UK since the early 2010's and set out the policies and responses needed to reverse the situation.

The 2024 Budget and regional productivity

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 14:25:00 GMT

18 November 2024: Originally published by The Productivity Institute, Professor Graeme Roy, Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, and Dr David Waite write a policy brief on what the 2024 Budget means for regional growth and productivity, and the policy changes needed to solve the UK’s regional productivity inequalities.

Centre for Public Policy academic appointed as Fellow to prestigious Scottish Parliament scheme

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 11:05:00 GMT

7 November 2024: Research Associate Dr Dan Fisher will explore Scotland’s response to the integration of people forced to flee Ukraine as a Fellow in the Scottish Parliament’s Academic Fellowship Scheme, based in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe).

The US Presidential Election and the potential for Trade Wars

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 16:05:37 GMT

6 November 2024: University of Glasgow Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli writes about the results of the 2024 US Presidential Election, warns of the potential for future trade wars, and notes it is now imperative that the UK re-evaluates its alignment with the EU as a large trading bloc.

Westminster rules? The UK Internal Market Act and devolution

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 11:58:00 BST

22 October 2024: In this blog, Nicola McEwen, Thomas Horsley, Coree Brown Swan and Lisa Claire Whitten outline the findings of their recent report on the operation and impact of the UK Internal Market Act, suggesting that changes will need to be made if Starmer wants to meaningfully reset relations with the devolved governments.

Director of the Centre for Public Policy speaks at the Festival of Politics

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 15:08:00 BST

15 October 2024: Prof. Nicola McEwen spoke on a panel at the Scottish Parliament's Festival of Politics in August about the 50 elections happening across the world this year and the implications for geopolitics, human rights, economies, and international relations.

Local Government Fiscal Constraint in Scotland: Risk and Resilience

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 14:11:00 BST

15 October 2024: Read this note from a Centre for Public Policy roundtable with government, the voluntary sector and academic expertise on risk and resilience in communities under a challenging fiscal context.

Climate Policy and the US Presidential Election

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 13:27:00 BST

10 October 2024: Dr Hannah Salamon, Research Associate at the Centre for Public Policy, outlines the importance of climate policy in the US Presidential race. This timely blog compares the record of both candidates and looks to the future of climate policy in America.

New Report: Westminster Rules? United Kingdom Internal Market Act and Devolution

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 15:16:00 BST

3 October 2024: This impartial analysis of the context, content and operational impact of the UKIMA brings together leading academics from the Universities of Glasgow, Liverpool, Stirling and Queens University Belfast and offers pragmatic policy ideas that could lead to a new, more consensual way forward.

New Report: Scotland and the Constitution: Agreeing a way forward

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 10:26:00 BST

25 September 2024: Co-authored by Prof. Kezia Dugdale, Associate Director and Stephen Noon, Research Associate, this report marks both the 10th Anniversary of the Independence Referendum and 25th Anniversary of the Scottish Parliament.

How to Revise the UK’s Fiscal Rules to Avoid Under-Investment

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 19:04:00 BST

24 September 2024: Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli sets out why our current fiscal rules in the UK penalise investment and will hinder the Labour Government's growth mission.

Scotland’s Human Rights Bill: A promise unfulfilled

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 10:56:00 BST

9 September 2024: Centre for Public Policy Senior Fellow Professor Nicole Busby writes about the omission of the anticipated Human Rights Bill from the Scottish Government's Programme for Government announced last week.

Local growth plans must reach City regions across the UK’s nations

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 09:35:00 BST

5 September 2024: In an article published in The Times on Friday 30 August, Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli and Professor Graeme Roy write that the Westminster government must include all nations in its plans for local growth, with a focus on skills and innovation.

Can planning reform alone lead to a step-change in outcomes?

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 10:52:00 BST

25 July 2024: Centre for Public Policy Research Associate Dr Rob Richardson writes about the new UK Government's plans to 'get Britain building', reflecting on Scotland's recent experience of planning reform.

How Glasgow Voted in the 2024 UK General Election

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 17:04:00 BST

Policy Insight: Mark McGeoghegan delves into the details of the University of Glasgow’s home city’s voting results, examining the extent of Labour’s success in Glasgow and the nuanced story behind the results.

A General Election reset for the Union?

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 07:00:00 BST

Policy Insights: Professor Nicola McEwen writes about the future of devolution and whether Labour's 'change' manifesto promises a new, more collaborative approach.

Children’s rights require political leadership

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 10:26:00 BST

Policy Insights: Professor Bruce Adamson writes about children's rights in the election campaigns and the need for the next UK Government to take action to place children at the heart of policy making

Devolution and plans for Economic Growth – need for fresh thinking after the election

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 08:00:00 BST

Policy Insights: Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli writes about the parties competing visions for growth and the need for fresh thinking around the devolution settlement

This is an Energy Election

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 12:07:00 BST

Policy Insights: Dr Ewan Gibbs writes about the salience of energy policy in this election and how workers feel about the parties' pledges

Of kings, milk, sugar and saris: The importance of reclaiming the narrative through Refugee Festival Scotland

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 10:00:00 BST

In this blog post, Dr Dan Fisher discusses the role of narrative in the context of refugee integration and a General Election focused on border control.

Forced migration and the backlog of asylum decisions

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 15:17:00 BST

Policy Insights: Dr Dan Fisher writes about the current backlog of asylum decisions and discusses the plans presented by the major parties to tackle it.

For new towns to contribute significantly to housing supply, design and delivery must both be right

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 17:50:00 BST

Policy Insights: Dr Rob Richardson writes about the design and delivery of new towns and what lessons the next government should learn from previous policy decisions when tackling the housing crisis

Transitions into adulthood for young disabled people: Policy dialogue for a new government

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 11:47:00 BST

Policy Insights: Dr Charlotte Pearson and colleagues write about the transition into adulthood for young disabled people, current manifesto commitments, and the need for a holistic approach to policymaking across all levels of government.

New podcast series delves into key policy issues of the UK General Election campaign

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 10:25:00 BST

A new series of the UofG Spotlight podcast from the Centre for Public Policy is shining a light on the policy issues, the parties, key battlegrounds and events of the UK General Election, bringing you expert insights from the University of Glasgow and beyond.

Dr Ian C. Elliott gives evidence to the Scottish Parliament on the Commissioners Landscape

Sat, 01 Jun 2024 11:33:00 BST

Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Public Policy gives evidence to the Finance and Public Administration Committee as part of its Inquiry on Scotland's Commissioner Landscape: A Strategic Approach

Reflections on 25 years of devolution in Scotland

Fri, 31 May 2024 11:10:00 BST

As the Scottish Parliament turns 25, we consider its evolution and place in public life in Scotland. Recent reforms both to the devolution settlement and to UK territorial governance present new challenges to the devolved institutions that could constrain policy ambition in the years to come.

Devolution and centralisation: The impact of devolution on local government

Fri, 31 May 2024 10:57:00 BST

Dr Claire MacRae writes for the International Public Policy Observatory (IPPO) about the impact of devolution on local government

The abandoning of carbon targets shows the dissonance in Scotland’s much-vaunted climate success story

Wed, 15 May 2024 14:41:00 BST

Dr Dominic Hinde writes about the disparity between Scotland's climate policy aspirations and outcomes, informed by his work exploring what Scotland's energy and climate change story looks like on the ground.

Positive Public Policy – A New Vision for UK Government

Tue, 14 May 2024 15:50:00 BST

Centre for Public Policy Senior Lecturer Ian Elliott has co-written a piece for the Academy of Social Sciences on how Positive Public Policy (PoPP) can drive performance improvements, save money, foster early interventions, align networks, and build capacity and momentum for more effective government.

Policy Insights: What’s landing on the First Minister’s desk?

Tue, 07 May 2024 20:51:00 BST

Part One: As the Scottish Parliament elects John Swinney as the new First Minister, we ask Prof. Christopher Carman about the electoral challenges ahead for the SNP.

Policy Insights: What’s landing on the First Minister’s desk?

Tue, 07 May 2024 21:17:00 BST

Part Two: As the Scottish Parliament elects John Swinney as the new First Minister, we ask key voices from across the University about the policy challenges his new Cabinet will be facing.

Professor Nicola McEwen speaks to Good Morning Scotland about the motion of no confidence in the First Minister

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 09:45:00 BST

Professor Nicola McEwen, Director of the Centre for Public Policy, spoke to Good Morning Scotland’s Andrew Black about the Scottish Greens decision to back the Scottish Conservative’s motion of no confidence in the First Minister.

Fiscal constraint and budgetary decision-making  

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 14:18:00 BST

The Spring Budget confirmed limited growth to devolved government budgets. Dr Claire MacRae, Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Public Policy, explores the impacts this might have on budgetary decision making.

Centre Honorary Professor makes major intervention on climate change

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 13:24:00 BST

Honorary Professor Chris Stark spoke to Laura Kuenssberg about the Scottish Government’s decision to scrap climate change targets

Centre for Public Policy announces inaugural Advisory Board

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 15:21:00 BST

The Centre for Public Policy’s Advisory Board harnesses experience in policymaking from across political parties, governments, disciplines and sectors.

How can place-based solutions help deliver a just transition?

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 15:33:00 BST

In this blog Hannah and Rob reflect on their experience as participants in the British Academy's Where We Live Next policy insight workshop

Centre for Public Policy hosts Policy School on Data and AI with the Cabinet Office

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 15:05:00 BST

The Centre for Public Policy hosted the Cabinet Office for a Policy School on Data and AI in March. We heard expertise from across the University, including a visit to see how AI is being used in cancer research and diagnosis.

Engaging with UK Parliament: top tips from our development day for researchers

Sat, 06 Apr 2024 14:38:00 BST

Read Sarah's blog on a recent development day for engaging with the UK Parliament

Local authorities and fiscal sustainability: the value of evidence

Sun, 24 Mar 2024 10:45:00 GMT

In collaboration with the International Public Policy Observatory, the Centre for Public Policy is exploring how local authorities are responding to the challenge of fiscal constraint. This work will pay close attention to how these issues are playing out in the UK’s devolved nations.

New paper outlines radical vision for Scottish education reform led by the classroom

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 16:05:00 GMT

Experts at the University of Glasgow and the Centre for Public Policy have set out a radical vision that places schools and teachers at the centre of education reform.

Former Auditor General for Scotland appointed Honorary Professor at the Centre for Public Policy

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 12:00:00 GMT

Caroline Gardner CBE joins the growing team at the Centre for Public Policy as an Honorary Professor

News: Kezia Dugdale joins leadership of Centre for Public Policy

Sun, 10 Mar 2024 12:00:00 GMT

Kezia Dugdale will take on the role of Associate Director in the newly established team, working alongside the Centre’s inaugural Director, Professor Nicola McEwen.

New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy 2024: Three challenges

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 15:58:00 GMT

Dan Fisher explores the work still to be done to support refugee integration in Scotland

Women Matter: The importance of the Gendered Lens in politics, governance, and the climate crisis

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 15:58:00 GMT

Hannah Salamon explores the role of gender in the climate crisis and political research.

News: John Swinney and Ken Thomson appointed Honorary Professors at the Centre for Public Policy

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 15:58:00 GMT

Scotland’s former Deputy First Minister, John Swinney, has been appointed as an Honorary Professor of the University of Glasgow’s Centre for Public Policy.

News: UK Climate Change Chief joins new Centre for Public Policy

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 15:58:00 GMT

Chris Stark and Sarah Davidson have been appointed as an Honorary Professors of the University of Glasgow’s Centre for Public Policy.