Expansion of R&D incentives to encourage the flow of FDI and innovation into the UK

As the UK charts its course post-EU and looks to recover from the economic damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to attract innovation and investment into the country. The development at unprecedented pace of vaccines categorically shows the direct impact that innovative science and technology has upon the wholeContinue reading “Expansion of R&D incentives to encourage the flow of FDI and innovation into the UK”

Create a more sustainable country – build comprehensive pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure without additional expenditure

The vision Despite the suffering, Covid-19 has been a wake-up call. Reduced motor traffic has helped us rediscover the convenience, pleasure and health benefits of walking and cycling to work, shops, and other essential activities, as well as to parks and the countryside. We have glimpsed a different way of life, free from car-dependency withContinue reading “Create a more sustainable country – build comprehensive pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure without additional expenditure”

A re-usable COVID-19 testing system, which is sustainable and accessible.

Re-usable COVID-19 tests need to be reliable, sterile and easily accessible to everyone. Due to the re-usable nature, they can be supplied more widely and have less of a carbon footprint. Many single-use plastic products which until recently have been used on mass, e.g. women’s sanitary products have now had new, more sustainable alternatives putContinue reading “A re-usable COVID-19 testing system, which is sustainable and accessible.”

Civil Critical Implementation Teams

This idea addresses a method to boost the recovery of the UK economy following the COVID-19 pandemic, with particular focus on key infrastructure projects, while utilising the resources that may become available from military reduction in force. Benefits could include: • Significant cost savings through more efficient implementation of projects. • Boosting morale in theContinue reading “Civil Critical Implementation Teams”

Use of UN SDGs and targets as a template for recovery

Using the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can provide an existing internationally agreed framework on which to base a sustainable recovery plan which supports sustainable development for people and planet. “We need to turn the [covid] recovery into a real opportunity to do things right for the future.” – UN Secretary-General António Guterres The UNContinue reading “Use of UN SDGs and targets as a template for recovery”

OCCUPATION FOR SCHOOL LEAVERS

Loss of confidence in the adequacy of the education supplied during prolonged lockdowns, together with social isolation, has led to confusion among school leavers about what the next step should be. SOLUTION: The introduction of Universal National Service to suit a wide variety of circumstance could equally be described as UNIVERSAL SOCIAL SERVICE which willContinue reading “OCCUPATION FOR SCHOOL LEAVERS”

Creating a patient audit trail

Health care systems are highly heterogeneous and numerous. My fix is how to store in one place, the health care data held in disparate systems, without an impossible integration task (cost, time, security, data cleansing etc). Existing healthcare systems are central server based systems focussed on a health care professional as the user. A usersContinue reading “Creating a patient audit trail”

Introduce a minimum competence requirement for entry to public office

Summary: Require public officials, starting with Government Ministers, to demonstrate effective decision-making Competencies at the level defined in the Civil Service’s published Framework prior to taking up office. Ministers lacking graduate level education in a logic-based subject such as maths, science or engineering are likely to require a period of training to reach this levelContinue reading “Introduce a minimum competence requirement for entry to public office”

Reforming Higher Education

Summary: A two-part proposal for the overhaul of higher education. The first part seeks to create highly prestigious 1-year undergraduate courses to improve the quality and relevance of undergraduate education while reducing the time and cost of a degree. The second part is a new way to fund degrees in key sectors in which theContinue reading “Reforming Higher Education”

The Public Sphere, Cultural Integration and Productivity

I will say up front that since I have no experience in designing public policy I am purposefully not going to try to go into detail about the legislative and economic corollaries. Maybe this idea is feasible; maybe there are unknown downsides. I am writing without moderating my language or concepts over-much in order toContinue reading “The Public Sphere, Cultural Integration and Productivity”