This report draws together evidence fromseven major cities in European countriesthat are experiencing huge change andtransition from being industrial giants,through major decline in industrialmanufacturing, to recovery. The citieswe study all had a high proportion ofmanufacturing jobs until the...

Europe is a continent of cities with a remarkable history of cultural inspiration, wealth creation, social and politicaldynamism. But in the late-20th century, many former industrial cities entered a period of steep decline, losingmost of their manufacturing jobs and many of their economic...

How do you fund university education? In the UK, the governmentplans to introduce variable fees from 2006, to be paid back after thestudent graduates, but the debate continues worldwide. What isthe best solution, offering what people want but at a realistic price?Nicholas Barr offers his...

Rather than being a handicap, the proposals to introduce top-up fees will prove aboon to students.[...]

Universities, parents and poorer students will allbenefit under the Government’s plans for top-upfees.[...]

How best to widen university access - by abolishing fees, as the Tories suggest, or byenhancing student loans, as the government plans?[...]

Universities need cash, students need support and there are too few working-classentrants. After a two-year extension, Charles Clarke and the class of '73 are all set todeliver answers to these problems. Nicholas Barr offers a guide to how you, theexaminers, should mark their responses.[...]