1. SRA Course ‘Research into policy and practice’ What policy makers and practitioners want: an insider view

2. Though there are similarities....

3. Perspectives can be quite different

4. or....

5. Or even......

6. Perspectives can be quite different Minister Senior Gov’t official Local politician Local Gov’t officer Opposition politician Delivery Charity (eg Housing Association) Campaigning charity Media editor/journalist

7. Some Pressures on Ministers Need to make an impact (short shelf life) Manifesto commitments Press campaigns Pressure groups Prime Minister Chancellor Party Events/Headlines Convictions

8. What do Ministers need? Information and advice that is – * timely * concise * clear * sets out facts and pressures * offers options * evaluates * recommends

9. What do policy officials need? Data as up to date as possible Especially trends and projections Good analysis of impact of existing policies ‘Best is enemy of good’ – universities pursue the advancement of human knowledge; government manages aspects of the economy and society to improve our quality of life in the short, medium and long term

10. What should you give them? Obviously the best analysis, based on the best material you have, in the time available. But also your best judgement of: – what that analysis is telling you – what policy conclusions you would draw – what the analysis is not telling you – what more analysis should/could be done/by when/how much would it improve decision- making And you should give a heads-up when your analysis is picking up potential issues, which have not yet reached policy makers

11. The Local Councillor Councils have many statutory duties, which they are under pressure to deliver Additional services are more marginal – but often important to voters What Councillors do affects the people who directly vote for them So does the Council Tax they set – ( which can be capped by Gov’t) Will want influence Gov’t policy in its favour

12. The Local Gov’t Officer Is subject to much more detailed control by politicians than in central gov’t And more likely to affected by a change in the local wind And more likely to be personally blamed for delivery failures But is more likely to be a service specialist than Councillors or civil servants And will be just as keen to influence policy of councillors & government

13. The service delivery charity Has many similarities with local government and statutory service providers Will have contracts to deliver and grant conditions to fill Will have to remain solvent year on year Is more likely than LG to be able to control the number of clients it has to deal with But will always want to do more delivery and to influence policy

14. The Opposition Politician National or local, will want to prove that the parties in Government don’t have it right Will be looking for evidence of policy failures But will also be looking for new ideas ( clear blue water) Some with no hope of office will support evidenced positions, regardless of cost But the closer to office they are, the more future costs will press on them

15. The Campaigning Charity Will always want to push the boundaries along Won’t always be scrupulous about the inferences it draws from research (or may just be over-enthusiastic) Won’t necessarily balance opportunities and costs But could be very good at highlighting the results of your research

16. Media editor/journalist Will have some principles and a regard for truth ( and lawyers to ensure this ) But is operating in a highly competitive environment So will look for headlines and scandals And will always tend to oversimplify – ( especially in headlines/front pages ) Your caveats may well get lost in the short term