New Economy Working Papers are designed both to produce robust pieces of analysis that stimulate the long-term sustainable economic growth of the Manchester city region and to act as a vehicle for economic development professionals to further their personal development, providing a route for them to publish papers.

An independent Editorial Board, made up of experts in the field of economics, has overall responsibility for developing the Working Papers and for all aspects of their content and quality regulation. In addition, each Working Paper is reviewed by a panel of peers with knowledge and experience in the given field of the paper.

Eight papers have been published to date, covering a broad range of topics from equity finance and mergers and acquisitions activity, to skills and Manchester’s connectivity with China. In addition, we have held a series of successful launch events, the latest taking place at The Royal Exchange Theatre, and focussing on stimulating business innovation.

Working Papers are intended to stimulate intellectual and challenging debate on the key economic issues and ideas being put forward, which are of relevance not just to the Manchester city, but to the wider north and indeed UK plc.

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LATEST WORKING PAPER

Pay up? Living costs and the living wage in Manchester

Since 2009, a combination of stagnant wages, high inflation and reduced hours worked has resulted in a dramatic reduction in real pay for the lowest paid, representing a significant challenge for Manchester.
John Holden and Luke Raikes, the authors of a new working paper ‘Pay up? Living costs and the living wage in Manchester’ which was launched on 2nd August, explore the case for Manchester adopting a living wage policy to address this. They argue that whilst the living wage has potential benefit for some of the area’s lowest paid residents, on its own it is not a sufficient response and that Manchester needs to adopt a dual approach that seeks to both raise the income (not just hourly pay) of the lowest paid whilst simultaneously reducing the living costs faced by these individuals.

A copy of the Working Paper can be accessed here (258kb)

For a copy of the slides from this Working Paper’s breakfast briefing, please click here (293kb)

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WORKING PAPERS ARCHIVE

To access the New Economy Working Papers Archive, click here

The Working Paper Archive contains all previous New Economy Working Papers, organised by date. These working papers cover a variety of topics and will be accessible in pdf format. If you would like to receive more information about Working Papers, our contact address is:

Cathy McDonagh
New Economy Working Papers
Churchgate House
56 Oxford Street
Manchester
M1 6EU

Alternatively, contact Cathy McDonagh by email.