Dan Corry
Dan Corry is CEO of NPC, a think-tank and consultancy on third sector issues. He is a former Treasury and Downing Street economic adviser
Communities, COVID and Marcus
Community and charity activity is helpful – and absolutely essential during COVID – says Dan Corry. But he argues that the comprehensive actions we need to tackle so many of the issues we face also depend on the central and local state.
The problem with averages
In the aftermath of the exams disaster it should sound obvious that the individual matters, says Dan Corry – but it is a point missed out far too often in policy analysis.
Keeping positive outside crisis time
The better nature of people has come to the fore during the recent pandemic, but how do we keep the momentum going in more ‘normal’ times? Dan Corry poses the question.
Overcoming the unemployment mountain
The avalanche of unemployment that is soon to hit us needs to soar up the agenda, says Dan Corry. Here he outlines solutions that can help us avoid the worst outcomes.
Why localism is needed for behaviour change
Councils can be key – as can local community groups and charities – in setting social norms that people will want to follow, says Dan Corry.
The exit strategy is crucial
How to withdraw from the special and unprecedented COVID-19 emergency measures is a really complex task for policy makers – but it matters to the rest of us too, including councils, says Dan Corry.
To co-ordinate or not?
Dan Corry asks if the familiar struggle between Downing Street neighbours tells us something about other attempts in the public and social sectors to co-ordinate work.
Build on the social aspect of towns
Much of the discussion about ‘levelling up’ towns has been about physical infrastructure, but as Dan Corry explains, the lesson of the past is that the social side must be taken into account.
Breaking down that segregation (a little)
It has not been the best advertisement for our democracy and most people will be glad it’s all over, writes Dan Corry. So why does he think the General Election process always does some good?
Do we all hate each other?
Local government could teach Downing Street and Westminster a thing or two. It has always had to deal with people who disagree on issues and have different world views, writes Dan Corry.
Is insourcing the default?
The system needs recalibrating so there is a level playing field, rather than a major bias towards outsourcing in local government, argues Dan Corry.
It’s a good time to lobby
Dan Corry says that while the policy world is currently in something of a stasis lock, politically we’re seeing major realignments, with new battlefields – or at least new fronts – opening up everywhere.
Be a cautious revolutionary
Challenging existing policies and paradigms is something we should always want, argues Dan Corry. But he warns that being too enthusiastic to do away with what came before can have unintended consequences.
Troubled Families is not the Holy Grail
There are lessons to be learned from the Troubled Families experiment, as Dan Corry outlines
Where are we on health?
One big shift in the NHS Long Term Plan, even if not generously funded, is the full-on embracing of social prescribing, says Dan Corry. He believes it has the potential to have a big impact on people’s health.
Facing Brexit’s ‘unknown unknowns’
Much of the civil contingency expenditure in preparation for a no-deal Brexit may turn out to be totally unnecessary, but unlikely events do happen, argues Dan Corry
What should councils do?
Tough decisions will have to be made on budgets in town halls across the country, says Dan Corry – but his plea is to try to focus on providing the right culture for the longer-term.
Why civil society matters
A strong civil society is key to the social capital, as Dan Corry explains, and councils should ensure they are doing their best to support it.
Building a better sense of community
Dan Corry looks at the launch of the Government’s Civil Society Strategy and asks whether it can move us forward to create a society that works for the benefit of all communities.
Striking the right balance
Just as football fans are driven to distraction over inconsistent decisions by referees, so too is local government agitated by erratic verdicts on performance targets and Government interventions. Dan Corry suggests the right balance is an unattainable goal.
