How can we reduce poverty in Greater Manchester?

We are tackling poverty around the world and within Manchester itself. Professor Ruth Lupton heads up the Inclusive Growth Analysis Unit and tells us more.

Ruth Lupton

Ruth Lupton

Professor of Education and Head of Inclusive Growth Analysis Unit

Manchester Urban Institute

View academic profile

@ruthlupton

The Inclusive Growth Analysis Unit (IGAU) is a partnership between the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and The University of Manchester.

Sitting within the Manchester Urban Institute, the Unit was established in January 2016 and charged with ensuring that poverty reduction is central to the development and promotion of the Northern Powerhouse and devolution and supporting the development of evidence-based strategies for inclusive growth. 

The Unit’s most recent research presents key statistics on economic growth and poverty in Greater Manchester since the mid-2000s, and reports on consultation with key stakeholders in the city region, setting out some of the ways leading actors might respond to the challenges identified. 

Addressing poverty reduction

The Unit identifies two approaches for addressing poverty reduction: ‘Growth Plus’ and ‘Inclusive Economy’.

The former takes the existing economic model as unproblematic and promotes strategies for more inclusive future growth.

The latter perceives inequality to be inherent to the existing model, and therefore that it must be rethought in order to achieve greater inclusion.

Overall, the research supports the development of a shared understanding of what needs to be done to make Greater Manchester not just a more prosperous city-region, but also a more economically inclusive one.

It is hoped it will also provide insights for other city regions, and create opportunities to learn from other UK cities and beyond.