Publications

Ed Arnold (September 2024): The UK-German relationship is a priority for the new UK Government and an additional two Joint Declarations have already been signed since the Labour Party came to power, with negotiations for a bilateral Treaty started. As Russia’s war against Ukraine continues and the Euro-Atlantic security environment deteriorates, the rationale for stronger UK-German cooperation is growing. The scope for a UK-German agreement appears to be wider than just defence and security, to incorporate economic benefits and other shared social challenges. However, an increase in ambition will also increase the risks to delivery and a meaningful relationship.

For our German readers, the Trade Union Monitor Great Britain and Northern Ireland 2024 is now available to read! Follow the link below:

As Europe strides toward a green economy, green hydrogen is set to revolutionize energy systems, particularly in hard-to-electrify sectors. This paper explores Ireland's potential as a green hydrogen hub, leveraging its rich renewable resources to support both domestic needs and European energy security. Highlighting the collaboration between Ireland and Germany, the paper delves into policy frameworks, the existing renewable energy landscape, and the socio-economic benefits of this partnership. By focusing on sustainable energy practices and fostering international cooperation, Ireland and Germany can lead the way in achieving a carbon-neutral future while advancing social justice and economic growth.

Seema Syeda (2023): In mainstream discourse, it is often ›Muslims‹ who are framed as the ›problem‹. However, it is the white supremacist structures of European society, including within progressive spaces, that need to change. The burden of this work must be shouldered by the entire progressive community with an emphasis on continuous training and educating about Islamophobia, racism, and colonialism and how these issues manifest on a structural and individual level. Muslim empowerment must also be prioritised by creating spaces for Muslim-led self-organising – recognising the many different intersectional identities that exist within Muslim communities.

The government’s plan to expand the number of ​‘free hours’ of early childhood education and care (ECEC) available to some families means that 80% of the provision being accessed in England by the end of 2024 will be funded by the state. ECEC will have become a de facto public service, but without realising the broad range of benefits this could unlock.

The concept of universal basic services (UBS) is based on the premise that the first job of good government is to make sure everyone’s basic needs are met. This is often best achieved through collective services rather than individual market transactions. The UBS framework sets out clear criteria that public services should be fulfilling:

- Free or affordable access according to need, not ability to pay.

- A mixed economy of provision, bound by a set of public interest…

Danny Dorling (2023): In this provocative and lucid contribution, Danny Dorling puts the decision to 'leave' in the context of four decades of bad policy making, which has accumulated a host of social and economic problems. Brexit was, in part, a response to these failures and their mounting grievances - but has failed entirely to answer a single one of these problems. But Brexit was also - as Dorling rightly emphasises - a story about the radicalisation of a particule form of reactionary English nationalism, which drew heavily on anti-immigration and 'sovereignty-ist' sentiment, in a wave of rule Britannia nostalgia.

Jeevun Sandher, Thomas Stephens (2023): High-quality, universal early years education is likely the highest-returning investment a government can make. These high returns come largely from improving social and economic outcomes for low-income children and their parents. The returns are so high that this investment pays for itself even when funded entirely through borrowing. The current, limited funding offer, where mostly middle and higher-income families gain 30 free hours of childcare, restricts the benefits to both society and the public finances. Ensuring every child has guaranteed access to early years education will lead to higher earnings, more growth and the Treasury gaining money in the long run.

Michèle Auga & James Hoctor (July 2023): [in German] The annually updated Trade Union Monitor provides background information, current statistics and facts, and an analysis of the British trade union environment.