Ep 11. Institute for Government: Lifting the lockdown, Joe Owen

05/05/20 • 24 min

Programme Director at the Institute for Government, Joe Owen, joined host Emily Rodgers on Public Sector Voices to discuss the recent report he co-authored called Lifting the Lockdown: How to approach a coronavirus exit strategy.

Joe is currently leading the Institute’s research on Whitehall’s preparations for exiting the European Union, a historical event that has been hugely complicated by the pandemic we’re facing.

The decisions over the next few weeks regarding how to lift the current lockdown restrictions will be critical for Government and the whole of the UK, Emily and Joe take a look at the different options available and the effect they could have.

Balancing public health with the economy is an unprecedented challenge, and according to Joe, one of the challenges for anyone in that position is reorienting themselves to realise that they are now The Coronavirus Prime Minister, a legacy that he wasn’t expected when he won his big majority in December.

'Transparency is key' is the message of the day and facing up to the huge challenge ahead – Joe is an expert in his field and presents a fascinating insight from the people whose mission is to make Government more effective.

Listen to this week’s Public Sector Voices podcast ‘Lifting the lockdown’ and find out how Joe would tackle it.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joe is currently leading the Institute’s research on Whitehall’s preparations for exiting the European Union, a historical event that has been hugely complicated by the pandemic we’re facing.

Listen to this week’s Public Sector Voices podcast ‘Lifting the lockdown’ and find out how Joe would tackle it.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Previous Episode

Bonus Ep. Live from EvoNorth 2020: Cllr Andrew Western

LIVE FROM EVONORTH

Councillor Andrew Western is the Leader of Trafford Council and Greater Manchester Green City Region Lead and delivered a speech at the recent EvoNorth event about GM’s plans for a green city region.

Cllr Western delves deep into the ‘extremely challenges process’ of achieving a green city region in Greater Manchester but instills the importance of doing so.

“The clean air crisis in GM is currently contributing to 1,200 deaths in the city region in each year across all ages.”

According to Cllr Western, Greater Manchester’s approach is the most ambitious in terms of scale and size as the proposal currently stands at introducing a clean air zone across the whole of Greater Manchester.

“We stand ready to deliver a clean air zone and are more than willing to do so but obviously it brings challenges, particularly around the public transport fleet but also for businesses as well.”

When discussing the notion of fining non-compliant vehicles, he said: “I don’t want to see people paying the penalty, for me that’s the worst option available it’s about incentivising people to change their vehicle.”

This bonus episode highlights the need for a sustainable clean air plan to support the ‘strong and vibrant local economy’ in Greater Manchester.

“We would not drink dirty water so why on earth do we accept breathing dirty air”

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Ep 12. Dancing through the crisis, Sacha Lord

Sacha Lord, Night-time Economy Advisor for Greater Manchester and Mayor Andy Burnham joined host Emily Rodgers on Public Sector Voices this week to discuss the region’s recovery from the coronavirus crisis, underpinned by its rich music heritage.

Sacha brought events like Warehouse Project and Parklife to the region and in the absence of traditional events, while we try and slow the spread of coronavirus, he is live streaming to the masses and raising money for Greater Manchester.

Manchester has always been famous for its nightlife, something which will be instrumental in the region’s economic bounce back and Sacha is the man to lead the fight. His latest efforts reaching nine million viewers and raising £260,000 and counting for the hospitality sector.

He uses Altrincham as an example of how the food and drink economy can save the local area, a man who is absolutely confident that we will come back stronger.

Sacha’s positive disposition left us extremely hopeful for the future with the words ‘rebuild, rebuild, rebuild’ ringing in our ears.

Find out what the region has to look forward to in the next five years and how the greatest challenges will be tackled on this week’s episode of Public Sector Voices.

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