"You turn if you want to..."
"...we certainly will."
There are U-turns and reversals a-plenty in Westminster at the moment.
While the press seem delighted to tell us what Nigel Farage thinks about everything, despite Reform beingat least four years away from power, even if they get the landslide they are dreaming of, Labour are setting about doing either the things they should done immediately upon entering Downing Street, or undoing the things she shouldn’t have done.
There’s a Spending Review next month, which is an opportunity for everyone to moan about how much money their departments have, and means the end of the line for the systematic can-kicking which has passed for policymaking since July.
With the excuse ‘We’ll have to wait for the Spending Review’ no longer holding water, we’ve had suggestions this week of the scrapping of the two-child benefit cap, a return for Winter Fuel Payments, and new life for Sure Start centres.
The last of those we may have to wait until the Autumn for, as one thing which has been kicked down the road again is the Child Poverty Strategy - originally expected in the Spring, now expected in the Autumn. That’s fine, isn’t it, not like a few more months of poverty is going to hurt anyone.
As a reminder of what we’re talking about, End Child Poverty modelled the impact a couple of years ago - 4,800 children in Middlesbrough, 4,000 in Newcastle Central, 3,500 in Gateshead.
Latest data on health service access
There's a regular set of data which looks at how easy people are finding it to get appointments with their GP surgery, and to access services from NHS dentists and pharmacies.
I dip in and out of it, but it's no doubt a useful barometer of how the system is functioning.
It's something approaching live and timely data, which is a rarity with a regional breakdown in it.
For example, you can see that the people of the North East are a percentage point or so more likely to experience a long term health conditions which limits them a lot. Not as bad news as it is for the North West or South West, but still above average for England.
If health is your area of interest, it's a useful one to watch.
Lowest house prices, but highest house price inflation
Bottom and top of the charts for the North East, as the average house price of £168k remains the lowest in England, but the rate of increase (14.3% annually) is the fastest.
Non-EU international student numbers
An area where a U-turn would be most welcome, but where it appears unlikely, is on migration.
Faces are falling victim to spite all over the place, but the systematic targeting of international students, and the gutting of HE as an export, is one of the more ridiculous.
There's some data out on the rising proportion of non-EU nationals within international student numbers - more accurately, I'd guess the EU figures have evaporated.
The only North East figure to make the publication is to place it 4th on the list of most popular destinations for Nigerian international students.
Worth noting, however, is the challenge facing regional institutions in taking on the gravity of London which is the favoured destination for EU and non-EU students.
Congratulations to Sunderland
Sunderland’s promotion to the Premier League isn't just a tremendous sporting achievement, it's also a massive economic one.
That's not just from the inevitable merch featuring earnest line drawings of Luke O’Nien celebrating in a sling, but from increased profile, more visitors (both domestic and international), and greater match day spending.
It's also perfectly aligned with a period of investment and renewal for the city - policymakers couldn't ask for more.
The estimates on the value added to GDP from having a top flight club run into the hundreds of millions a year, and analysis by EY of the impact on Brighton found a changed beast in the last few years.
So, compared to the last time Sunderland were a Premier League club, the region can expect an event bigger impact.
STEM role models
I've been doing a bit of work with STEMAZING, a CIC based in Northumberland which helps get more female STEM role models into schools.
Their founder, Alex Knight, was featured in BusinessLive’s 10 Questions series earlier in the month.
STEMAZING organise sessions in schools, but importantly they provide training and support to women to become role models - their evaluations show big jumps in confidence around public speaking, for example.
If you're a STEM-focused business looking for a partner organisation to support CSR work, or for ways to support and develop your female workforce…or if you're a woman in STEM wanting to give back yourself…then you should take a look at STEMAZING.
Give me a shout if you'd like an introduction.
Working with me
You can find me on arlen@arlenpettitt.co.uk for all your policy-focused content, comms and thought leadership type work.
I've still got some availability for July, if you're quick!