DISCOVER - recent finds

  A policy paper on freedom of speech and academic freedom in UK higher education has been published by Government. While there is legal framework for securing free speech on campus, compliance isn’t always met and enforcement not always carried out. 

The paper outlines a series of policy proposals, including legislation. The reaction’s been mixed, and we’ll update you on opportunities to influence. 

The combination of independence and Brexit would reduce Scotland’s income per person by between £2000 and £2800 every year, a new study from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) shows. 

The report concludes that because Scotland’s trade is four times higher with the UK than with the EU, the losses from independence would be similar regardless of whether or not an independent Scotland rejoins the EU.

Civil Society's Role in Democracy
The Brexit Civil Society Alliance has published ‘Seizing The Opportunity: The Case For Embracing Civil Society's Role In Democracy'. It aims to set out the structural and cultural shifts that are required to truly include the voices of civil society organisations in democratic and policy-making process.

The vision? A vibrant landscape in which civil society organisations can engage in democratic processes inside and outside of the formal policy sphere.

In the 2019 General Election the traditionally Labour seat of Bassetlaw in Nottinghamshire saw the biggest swing to the Conservatives of all the ‘red wall’ constituencies. 

‘Building Bridges: Lessons from Bassetlaw for the Country’, published by the Fabian Society, makes recommendations for the Labour Party which include greater devolution and better use of existing party members to rebuild trust in Labour among their neighbours. 

The latest from UCL’s Constitution Unit, ‘Taking Back Control: Why the House of Commons should govern its own time’ addresses the seemingly little control MPs have over Parliamentary time, and what should be done about it. 

You can also read the blog post and watch January’s launch event.

Published by the Institute for Government, an interesting new take on the pandemic is explored in Science Advice in a Crisis. Its authors conclude that although Government has faced difficult choices, ministers must improve the way they use and communicate scientific advice. 

The Commons Science and Technology Committee has also dug into this subject and published its report this month.