Luke Raikes Articles

Andy Burnham's manifesto launch was a glimpse into the potentially transformative role England's new metro mayors could play, writes Luke Raikes Today, the race to govern Greater Manchester moved up a gear. Andy Burnham has just published his manifesto, in his...

The unemployment figures are finally heading in the right direction – but beneath the headlines there is an inconvenient truth: long-term unemployment is here to stay. It may have fallen as the economy has recovered, but whether in growth or recession there remains a...

Unnoticed by many, a significant new transport body is emerging in the North. Following on from the Greater Manchester Agreement, and last week’s announcements about health and social care devolution, this month marks another big step forward for devolution within...

It’s been clear for some time that the current austerity is not being evenly felt, with recent reports again showing that local authorities in the poorest areas of the country are being crippled by disproportionate cuts. Both Ed Miliband and Jon Cruddas recently...