The Week, 21 April 2017
The Prime Minister’s decision to trigger a snap General Election overshadowed a number of important policy announcements this week, including Sir Thomas Winsor’s annual review of policing that flagged the continuing need to invest in mental health provision.
The Week will go into recess during the campaign period, but will return when a new government is formed after the June vote.
William Mosseri-Marlio, Research Manager
Reactionary of the week
NHS middle managers, who were found by the NHS Equality and Diversity Council to have bullied one in four ethnic minority staff.
Good week for…
The status quo
On Monday, a study from Thomson Reuters found the number of new laws passed by Parliament fell to a 20-year low in 2016.
Preventative medicine
On Wednesday, Alphabet, the owner of Google, unveiled an initiative that will collect health data on more than 10,000 people to help medical researchers unearth clues that can predict disease.
Parity of esteem
On Friday, Sir Thomas Winsor, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary, argued that until mental health is given the same priority as physical health, the police will continue to play too large a role in dealing with those with mental health conditions.
Bad week for…
Devolved diversity
On Wednesday, the Electoral Reform Society noted that 93 per cent of the most powerful elected positions in combined authorities are held by white men.
Student wellbeing
On Wednesday, a study published by the OECD found that British teenagers are less happy and more stressed than pupils in most other developed countries.
Household budgets
Also on Wednesday, data from the Office for National Statistics revealed households’ spending power has been on the decline since July 2016.
Quotes of the week
“I will be asking for the public’s support to continue to deliver my plan for a stronger Britain, to lead the country through the next five years, and to give the country the certainty and stability that we need.”
The Prime Minister Theresa May MP addressing the House of Commons on Wednesday
“Our offer is to tackle elderly poverty and loneliness, invest in our economy, NHS and schools, to improve rights at work and the ten-pound living wage.”
Leader of the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn MP launching Labour’s campaign on Wednesday
“Liberal Democrats welcome this opportunity to show the British people that there is another way, and that the values of tolerance, openness and fairness can help build vibrant and successful communities and opportunities across the whole of the United Kingdom and beyond.”
Leader of the Liberal Democrats Tim Farron MP addressing the House of Commons on Wednesday
Reform’s Week
Events
On Wednesday, Reform held a roundtable led by Chi Onwurah MP, Shadow Minister for Industrial Strategy, on how to create a modern industrial strategy which is effective and inclusive.
Media
On Wednesday, Charlotte Pickles, Deputy Director and Head of Research at Reform, wrote an article in Public Finance arguing that the new government will need to take tough decisions, and that means party manifestos must be radical on public service reform.
Blogs
On Monday, Andrew Haldenby, Director of Reform, published a vlog talking about Reform’s upcoming publications and reflecting on its criminal justice conference.
On Friday, Alexander Hitchcock, Senior Researcher at Reform argued that the parties should focus on the domestic agenda as well as Brexit in the upcoming general election campaign.