Policy@Manchester at Party Conference 2021
Join Policy@Manchester at this year’s Labour and Conservative party conferences for an exciting programme of fringe events.
Policy@Manchester has been running its conference programme for several years, and consistently secures leading speakers from academia, industry, civil society and politics. Policy@Manchester puts a spotlight on the pressing matters facing policymakers today, making its fringe event programme an unmissable part of party conference season. This year’s programme at the Labour and Conservative Party Conferences is no different with panels covering sustainability, health, innovation and inequalities.
We look forward to welcoming you again to our packed party conference agenda. Our events will be in person with no conference pass required, and the majority will be live-streamed, so either join us for a coffee or watch us on your screen. For further information contact policy@manchester.ac.uk
How can we seize the opportunities of the digital revolution to deliver better work for those in creative industries?
In Partnership with Social Market Foundation
Tuesday 28 September, 9.30 – 10.30am
Ashdown 1, Holiday Inn Brighton Seafront, 137 Kings Rd, Brighton BN1 2JF
The creative sector is a hive of inequality, with the highest average wage being that of a film director at £57,859 per year while the average wage of a fashion designer is £20,716. The sector is also finely balanced between those who are already highly digitally skilled, and thus able to adapt short and long-term digital changes to work, and those who are not. As the Labour Party works on its roadmap for a better future for Britain, how can the Party make sure it delivers better jobs and better work for those in the creative industries while preparing for a digital future?
- James Kirkup, Director, Social Market Foundation (Chair)
- Dr Anita Greenhill, Senior Lecturer, The University of Manchester
- Alison McGovern MP, Shadow Minister for Cultural Industries & Sport
- Helen Milner OBE, Group Chief Executive, Good Things Foundation
- Jamie Njoku-Goodwin, CEO, UK Music
Holding our Breath? How to clean up our cities’ air
In Partnership with Centre for Cities
Tuesday 28 September, 11.00 – 12.00
Victoria Terrace, Grand Brighton, 97-99 Kings Rd, Brighton BN1 2FW
Please note this event will not be live streamed and will accept in person attendance only.
This event, in partnership with Centre for Cities, will look at some of the latest research in Policy@Manchester’s publication On Air Quality and the economic effects of air pollution. Exposure to air pollution has acute impacts on human health, productivity and widening societal inequalities. It is a national problem with profound local implications. This panel will discuss how a place-based approach can be effective for building solutions to the air pollution problem that are effective, enduring, and equitable.
- Andrew Carter, Chief Executive, Centre for Cities (Chair)
- Polly Billington, Chief Executive, UK100
- Prof Sheena Cruickshank, Immunologist and Professor of Biomedical Sciences and Public Engagement, The University of Manchester
- Ruth Jones MP, Shadow Minister for Natural Environment & Air Quality
- Cllr Ian Ward, Leader, Birmingham City Council
The Child of the North: COVID-19 Update
In Partnership with the Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA) and N8
Date: Tuesday 28 September, 11.00 - 12.00, Ashdown 1, Holiday Inn Brighton Seafront, 137 Kings Rd, Brighton BN1 2JF
Pre-pandemic child health in the North of England was poor and deteriorating. Since the pandemic these trends have worsened further. This panel discussion will focus on how to tackle the inequalities that exist for children born in the North of England to create a brighter future and look at initial findings from the NHSA and N8’s, Child of the North report which analyses the disproportionate outcomes for those born in the North of England in areas such as life expectancy, ill health, education and economic prospects.
- Rachel Wearmouth, Senior Political Correspondent, Daily Mirror (Chair)
- Tulip Siddiq MP, Shadow Minister (Education) and MP for Hampstead and Kilburn
- Hannah Davies, Health Inequalities Lead, Northern Health Science Alliance
- Prof David Taylor-Robinson, Professor of Public Health and Policy, University of Liverpool
What should an effective green recovery look like?
Tuesday 28 September, 12.30 – 13.45
Ashdown 1, Holiday Inn Brighton Seafront, 137 Kings Rd, Brighton BN1 2JF
Strong domestic climate action is vital in demonstrating international leadership in the build up to COP26. So what does the UK need to do to ensure it retains international credibility, and helps manufacturing businesses to decarbonise, and how can this deliver a green economy that works for all?
- Leo Hickman, Director and Editor, Carbon Brief (Chair)
- Fleur Anderson MP, Shadow Minister (Cabinet Office)
- Rosa Hodgkin, Researcher, Institute for Government
- Andrew Carter, Chief Executive, Centre for Cities
- Professor Jonatan Pinkse, Professor of Strategy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, The University of Manchester
How to harness the digital healthcare revolution to tackle health inequalities
In Partnership with Social Market Foundation
Monday 4 October, 10am – 11am
Private Rooms 19 & 20, Radisson Edwardian Hotel, Free Trade Hall, Peter St, Manchester M2 5GP
From prevention to diagnosis and treatment, healthcare is experiencing a digital revolution. But digital inequalities risk stalling the benefits health tech can bring. Join our panel of experts to discuss how innovations in digital healthcare can be harnessed to help reduce inequalities and deliver quality healthcare for all.
- James Kirkup, Director, Social Market Foundation (Chair)
- Tim Barker, CEO, Kooth
- George Freeman MP, Minister for Science, Research and Innovation
- Lord Bethell of Romford
- Helen Milner OBE, Group Chief Executive, Good Things Foundation
- Professor Arpana Verma, Clinical Professor of Public Health and Epidemiology, The University of Manchester
How can we accelerate the UK’s green recovery?
Monday 4 October, 10am – 11am
Upper Hall, Friends Meeting House, 6 Mount St, Manchester M2 5NS
Strong domestic climate action will provide the basis for the UK Government’s vital international leadership in the lead up to COP26. What does the UK need to do to ensure it retains its international standing and leadership when it comes to building back better?
- Tom Sasse, Associate Director, Institute for Government (Chair)
- Andrew Carter, Chief Executive, Centre for Cities
- Matthew Fell, Chief Policy Director, CBI
- Professor Jonatan Pinkse, Professor of Strategy, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship, The University of Manchester
- Further Speakers to be confirmed
Can place based partnerships drive innovation and growth across a city region and provide the key to levelling up?
Monday 4 October, 11.30 – 13.00 (including a sandwich lunch)
Upper Hall, Friends Meeting House, 6 Mount St, Manchester M2 5NS
Innovation GM is a key pillar of the city-region's economic vision, with a plan to deliver a fairer, greener and more productive Greater Manchester economy beyond the pandemic. Leveraging the success of GM's existing research and development hubs in global frontier sectors including advanced materials and manufacturing, health innovation, digital and creative and clean growth.
Join us to discuss how a place-based approach involving businesses, academia, science and local government can accelerate the region's economic vision and deliver on levelling up.
- David Collins, Northern Editor, The Sunday Times (Chair)
- Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester
- Jessica Bowles, Director of Strategy, Bruntwood
- Prof Richard Jones, Professor of Materials, Physics and Innovation Policy, The University of Manchester
- Joanne Roney OBE, Chief Executive, Manchester City Council
- Dr Beenish Siddique, CEO/Founder, AEH Innovative Hydrogel
Holding our breath? How to clean up our cities' air
In Partnership with Centre for Cities
Monday 4 October, 13.30 – 14.30
Upper Hall, Friends Meeting House, 6 Mount St, Manchester M2 5NS
This event, in partnership with Centre for Cities, will look at some of the latest research in Policy@Manchester’s publication On Air Quality and the economic effects of air pollution. Exposure to air pollution has acute impacts on human health, productivity and widening societal inequalities. It is a national problem with profound local implications. This panel will discuss how a place-based approach can be effective for building solutions to the air pollution problem that are effective, enduring, and equitable.
- Andrew Carter, Chief Executive, Centre for Cities (Chair)
- Prof Sheena Cruickshank, Immunologist and Professor of Biomedical Sciences and Public Engagement, The University of Manchester
- Roger Evans, Political Advisor, UK100
- Wayne Fitzgerald, Leader, Peterborough City Council
- Rebecca Pow MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Happy and healthy communities: how can we build health and wellbeing into new home developments that work for everyone?
Monday 4 October, 15.30 – 16.30 followed by networking
Private Rooms 15 & 16, Radisson Edwardian Hotel, Free Trade Hall, Peter St, Manchester M2 5GP
Our Cities are key places. The way that we plan and develop cities needs to be improved so that we can reach carbon targets and improve the health and lives of the people that live within them. What we build now will last for at least 30 years so it is vital that we lock in sustainable features that will remain well past the 2038 and 2050 targets. Join us to discuss how we can meet these challenges and develop happy and healthy communities that work for all.
- Andrew Carter, Chief Executive, Centre for Cities (Chair)
- Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE DL, President, CBI
- Cllr Abi Brown, Leader, Stoke-on-Trent City Council
- Prof James Evans, Professor of Human Geography, The University of Manchester
- Gavin Taylor, Regional General Manager, Far East Consortium International Limited (FEC)
The Child of the North, Covid-19 update
In Partnership with the Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA) and N8
Monday 4 October, 16:00 – 17:00
Upper Hall at the Friends Meeting House, 6 Mount St, Manchester M2 5NS
Pre-pandemic child health in the North of England was poor and deteriorating. Since the pandemic these trends have worsened further. This panel discussion will focus how to tackle the inequalities that exist for children born in the North of England to create a brighter future and look at initial findings from the NHSA and N8’s, Child of the North report which analyses the disproportionate outcomes for those born in the North of England in areas such as life expectancy, ill health, education and economic prospects.
- Professor Kate Pickett FRSA FFPH, Deputy Director of the Centre for Future Health, University of York (Chair)
- Damian Green, MP for Ashford
- Mary Robinson, MP for Cheadle
- Dr Luke Munford, Senior Lecturer in Health Economics, University of Manchester
Global Britain: championing the voice of British businesses in international trade agreements
Tuesday 5 October, 13:00 – 14:00
Upper Hall, Friends Meeting House, 6 Mount St, Manchester M2 5NS
Following Brexit, the UK has a golden opportunity to put British businesses first and boost its national economy by re-shaping its approach to trade and investment strategy. Join us to discuss how we can champion the voice of British business and industry in current, and future, international trade and investment negotiations.
- Maddy Thimont-Jack, Associate Director, Institute for Government
- Jo Ahmed, Global Employer Services Partner, Deloitte
- Noreen Burroughes Cesareo FRSA
- Susana Córdoba, Head of International Trade, GM Chamber of Commerce
- Chris Southworth, General Secretary, ICC UK
- Dr Jasem Tarawneh, Lecturer in Commercial and Intellectual Property Law, The University of Manchester
Impact of COVID-19 on the Northern Powerhouse: One year on
Tuesday 5 October, 14.30 – 15.30
Upper Hall, Friends Meeting House, 6 Mount St, Manchester M2 5NS
Last year, a landmark report from the Northern Health Science Alliance found that 57.7 more people per 100,000 died in the Northern Powerhouse, relative to the rest of England, between March and July 2020. A recent follow-up report, created in partnership with Policy@Manchester, has shown disproportionately negative health and economic outcomes throughout the pandemic.
As the Government seeks to ‘level up’ Britain’s cities, counties and regions, it is more important than ever to understand how these impacts have been felt in the Northern Powerhouse and what that means for the challenges and possibilities for productivity, growth and wellbeing in the post-pandemic UK. The University of Manchester’s Dr Luke Munford, author of both reports, will share his findings, alongside insight and analysis from leading policymakers.
- Clare Fallon, North of England Correspondent, ITN/C4 News (Chair)
- Dr Luke Munford, Lecturer in Health Economics, The University of Manchester
- Henri Murison, Director, The Northern Powerhouse Partnership
- Damian Waters, Regional Director, CBI
- Further Speakers TBC
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