News WCPP and IWA team up for pre-election webinar series Ahead of May's Senedd election, we are delivering a thought-provoking webinar series, hosted by the Institute of Welsh Affairs, to explore evidence and expertise around some of the most critical policy challenges facing the next Welsh Government. Read more January 16, 2026
Reports Environment and Net Zero Policy options for voluntary carbon markets in Wales Voluntary carbon markets (VCMs) allow governments and non-state actors to purchase voluntary carbon units to offset emissions while financing mitigation activities and nature-based solutions. They are increasingly seen as tools to support climate goals, restore ecosystems, and deliver wider sustainable development benefits. At the same time, they raise challenges around integrity, permanence, and additionality. The […] Read more Topics: Net zero September 22, 2025
Projects Environment and Net Zero Domestic retrofit: Driving green growth and social equity The transition to net zero presents a critical opportunity to reconsider the way in which our economy operates, especially in the context of stagnating productivity and economic growth in recent years. This project will focus on the housing sector and will explore the evidence for investment in retrofit being a mechanism through which wider benefits […] Read more Topics: Economy Net zero August 8, 2025
Projects Research and Impact Practices of effective knowledge mobilisation The Wales Centre for Public Policy is a knowledge brokering organisation that mobilises evidence to inform policy and public service practice. While the benefits of evidence-informed policy making and practice are persuasive, the extent to which they have been achieved is contested. Both require effective approaches to knowledge mobilisation, particularly at the local level where […] Read more Research and Impact: The role of KBOs August 5, 2025
Projects Research and Impact Impact of UK university policy engagement bodies Over the last decade, a plethora of bodies have emerged within universities in the UK and beyond that seek to broker evidence produced by their respective organisation to decision-makers. This phenomenon is linked with both the research impact agenda (for instance the Research Excellence Framework in the UK) and universities’ emphasis on civic missing and […] Read more Research and Impact: The role of KBOs August 5, 2025
Projects Research and Impact Co-production of research with policy makers and public services As a knowledge brokering organisation, our activities involve working closely with decision-makers to determine their evidence needs and what we can deliver for and with them to meet those needs. We became interested in whether the popular concept of co-production could explain how we work, especially with decision-makers at the local level, and help inform […] Read more Research and Impact: Impact August 5, 2025
News WCPP engagement survey At WCPP, we are always striving to ensure that what we do is of value to our audiences and stakeholders which include local and national decision makers, practitioners and academics, and to identify opportunities to improve our approach. To help with this, we have designed a short survey to understand how we are perceived and for some […] Read more August 5, 2025
News Community Wellbeing Search for partner to produce community collaboration tool/resource We are commissioning the development of a tool, resource or process, that supports public and community sector actors to take evidence-informed-actions to strengthen multisectoral collaborations that improve community wellbeing. In the next phase of our work on Community Wellbeing and as part of the Resourceful Communities Partnership (RCP), we are seeking to commission a partner […] Read more Topics: Loneliness July 31, 2025
Projects Research and Impact Embedded impact researcher Within the context of a wider focus on the impact of Knowledge Brokering Organisations (KBOs), the Wales Centre for Public Policy is committed to understanding and maximising its own impact. The Embedded Impact Researcher project aims to understand the relationship between the WCPP’s knowledge mobilisation practices and its impact on the use of evidence in […] Read more Research and Impact: Impact July 30, 2025
Projects Research and Impact What counts as evidence for policy? During the Covid-19 pandemic, the refrain of ‘following the science’ became commonplace. But what is meant by evidence can vary according to who is asked, the context, and other factors. We conducted research to analyse the perceptions of Welsh policy actors towards evidence. These perceptions matter because they will impact why evidence is used or […] Read more Research and Impact: The role of KBOs June 13, 2025
Projects Research and Impact Leading evidence mobilisation We conducted a literature review on the factors which determine the effectiveness of evidence centres. This highlighted leadership as a key influence on their success but revealed that there has been very little empirical analysis of what leaders of evidence centres actually do, the skills they need, and how they acquire them. To help address […] Read more Research and Impact: The role of KBOs January 15, 2025
Reports Community Wellbeing Environment and Net Zero Exploring the role of multisector collaboration in Welsh transport Transport is a crucial enabler of social wellbeing and economic growth. To achieve its full enabling potential, transport needs to be integrated, reliable, affordable, high-quality, and efficient. Transport for Wales (TfW) has been on a transformation journey to move beyond being a railway operator to becoming an integrated, multi-modal transport provider that plays a key […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Net zero Transport November 19, 2024
Reports Tackling Inequalities Increasing workforce diversity across public services Black, Asian and minority ethnic people and disabled people are currently under-represented in the Welsh Government workforce and across the One Welsh Public Service. In response to this, the Welsh Government has specific targets related to the recruitment and progression of Black, Asian and minority ethnic people and disabled people at all levels, and women […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion November 19, 2024
Reports Community Wellbeing Multisector collaboration to improve community wellbeing The Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) and the Resourceful Communities Partnership (RCP) have been working together on research to better understand the role of multisector collaboration in improving community action and wellbeing. The project had two phases: Phase one entailed a review of evidence drawing on practice-based case studies, UK-based grey literature, and academic […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government July 19, 2024
Reports Community Wellbeing Expert opinion on eliminating profit from the care of children looked after The Welsh Government has proposed legislation to eliminate private profit from the provision of children’s residential and foster care. This aims to ensure that public money invested into the provision of children’s social care is used to ‘deliver better experiences and outcomes for children and young people, supporting service development and improvement and further professional […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion May 20, 2024
Reports Environment and Net Zero How could Wales heat and build low carbon homes by 2035? Achieving net zero in Wales requires drastic reductions in emissions from new and existing buildings. Decarbonisation of domestic heating has a critical role to play in cutting emissions from buildings, as reflected in the Welsh Government’s draft Heat Strategy for Wales, with a pathway to deliver clean and affordable heat by 2050. The Welsh Government, […] Read more Topics: Employment, work and skills Housing and homes April 10, 2024
Reports Environment and Net Zero What could education, jobs and work look like across Wales by 2035? Education and work form the backbone of people’s lives, as well as being of crucial importance to the economic and social development of Wales. Achieving net zero calls for the development of new industries, the creation and change of job roles and mitigating the effects of industry closure. The Welsh Government, as part of its […] Read more Topics: Net zero March 28, 2024
Reports Environment and Net Zero Decarbonising Wales’ transport system while connecting people and places Transport is the third highest greenhouse gas emitting sector in Wales. Decarbonising the transport sector while ensuring that the people and places of Wales are connected is essential for Wales’ net zero future. The Welsh Government, as part of its Co-operation Agreement with Plaid Cymru, has formed the Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group, chaired […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Net zero Transport March 28, 2024
Reports Tackling Inequalities International approaches to population ageing and decline Trends in fertility and mortality have resulted in an increasing excess of deaths over birth since 2015/16 in Wales. The Total Fertility Rate in Wales fell below the replacement rate (of 2.1) in 1974 and has remained there since, standing at just 1.5 births per woman in 2021. Based on past trends, the Welsh population […] Read more Topics: Economy Employment, work and skills December 18, 2023
Reports Environment and Net Zero How could Wales meet energy needs by 2035 while phasing out fossil fuels? The evidence shows that while reaching the 2035 target is achievable, it will require fast and large-scale action in order to provide the necessary level of electricity generation capacity. Decarbonising the electricity system by moving to low- and zero-carbon electricity generation and electrification of heat, transport and industrial processes will be a vital part […] Read more Topics: Energy Net zero December 5, 2023
Reports Research and Impact Is your policy going to fail? Here’s how you can tell and what you can do about it Policies often fail to achieve their intentions. While much has been written about this, and how to avoid it, knowledge and insight is somewhat siloed. In collaboration with the Centre for Evidence and Implementation, we undertook a review to understand the latest thinking on the policy-implementation gap and identify how insights from implementation science can […] Read more Topics: Local government Research and Impact: Methods and approaches November 13, 2023
Reports Community Wellbeing Defining, measuring and monitoring democratic health in Wales In Wales, concerns over the health of democracy have long focused on low voter turnout in elections and a lack of political awareness and understanding among the population. However, the issue of democratic health goes wider than this. Are citizens engaged in political issues? Do they have the sources of education and information to allow […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government October 18, 2023
Reports Community Wellbeing Loneliness inequalities evidence review Research evidence shows overwhelmingly that loneliness affects some groups in society more than others and is particularly acute for those who face multiple forms of disadvantage. This suggests that loneliness may be unevenly distributed in society in ways that reflect and interact with broader structural inequalities. Yet the dominant approaches to loneliness in research, policy […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Local government Loneliness August 9, 2023
Reports Environment and Net Zero How could Wales feed itself in 2035? To achieve the Welsh Government’s net zero ambitions, Wales needs to reduce its agricultural emissions through changes to farming practices and increased carbon sequestration, while also sustaining rural livelihoods. The Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) has been given funding by the Welsh Government to provide independent support to the Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities Net zero Poverty and social exclusion July 24, 2023
Reports Environment and Net Zero Net zero 2035: Trends and pathways report While reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in Wales have, so far, kept pace with existing targets on the pathway to achieving net zero by 2050, future progress will require substantial changes to the economy and society, with dramatic falls in emissions needed over the next decade. The Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) has been […] Read more Topics: Energy Net zero June 28, 2023
Reports Community Wellbeing Older adults and the pandemic: tackling loneliness through technology Loneliness and social isolation have significant impacts on older people’s health and wellbeing. This has been a priority issue for the Welsh Government since before the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, social distancing measures increased the risk of loneliness and social isolation and accelerated the use of technology to facilitate social contact and connection. WCPP […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government Loneliness June 12, 2023
News Environment and Net Zero WCPP to support Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group The Wales Centre for Public Policy will support the work of the new Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group, bringing together evidence and expertise to explore how Wales can speed up its transition to net zero. The Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru have jointly invited an independent group, chaired by former Environment Minister Jane Davidson, […] Read more Topics: Net zero April 27, 2023
Projects Research and Impact Examining the impact of the What Works Network The Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) has been awarded ESRC funding to continue examining and developing the impact of the What Works Network. This work builds on previous Centre projects such as on implementation and on impact. This new project focuses on the following research questions: What counts as impact and what are the […] Read more Research and Impact: Impact The role of KBOs April 4, 2023
Reports Environment and Net Zero Net zero skills: Insights and evidence from emissions sectors in Wales The transition to net zero presents opportunities and challenges for workers, employers and government. The economic changes likely to accompany the ongoing transition will affect all jobs to some extent and will result in shifts in employment as new employers, industries and roles emerge and others close down. Following its commitment in Net Zero Wales, […] Read more Topics: Energy Net zero February 28, 2023
Reports Environment and Net Zero Housing stock energy modelling: Towards a model for Wales The combination of increasing global demand for energy and strict carbon emissions targets have made the decision-making process around acquiring and using energy complex. In the context of the net zero by 2050 commitment, the UK and devolved governments are interested in understanding the emissions implications of policy decisions and the interrelationships between decisions in […] Read more Topics: Energy Housing and homes January 13, 2023
Reports Environment and Net Zero International approaches to a Just Transition The Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) was commissioned by the Welsh Government to conduct a review of international approaches to a just transition to help define what is meant by a ‘just transition’ in the Welsh context. The Welsh Government are keen to learn lessons from how other countries have approached a just transition […] Read more Topics: Just transition December 6, 2022
Reports Tackling Inequalities Poverty and social exclusion: A way forward The Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) was commissioned by the Welsh Government to conduct a review of international poverty and social exclusion strategies, programmes and interventions. A suite of reports has been produced as part of this project, reviewing a significant amount of evidence at different levels, including evidence of individual programmes that aim […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion September 26, 2022
Reports Tackling Inequalities Review of poverty and social exclusion in Wales The Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) have prepared two reports on poverty and social exclusion in Wales as part of our work to deliver a review of international poverty and social exclusion strategies, programmes and interventions for the Welsh Government. One report focuses on quantitative evidence, and another focuses on secondary qualitative evidence relating […] Read more Topics: Lived experience Poverty and social exclusion September 26, 2022
Reports Environment and Net Zero Decarbonisation and the Welsh economy Fundamental questions need to be asked and choices need to be made about the future of Welsh society and the economy. For instance, should Wales promote new, green industries, taking advantage of new technologies and better industrial processes that can be exported and can drive economic growth? Or should Wales instead pursue a strategy of […] Read more Topics: Economy Energy Net zero September 21, 2022
Reports Environment and Net Zero Developing skills for a just transition The transition to a low-carbon economy in Wales will affect workers and communities, particularly those with links to carbon-intensive industries. There is evidence that net-zero policies and environmental regulations may result in closures of some industries and the adoption of low-carbon processes in others. While there is likely to be an increased demand for both […] Read more Topics: Employment, work and skills Just transition August 31, 2022
Reports Community Wellbeing Research and Impact What is the role of evidence in shaping suicide prevention policy in Wales? Suicide is one of the leading causes of death worldwide.¹ Across the globe, 800,000 people die by suicide every year, translating to approximately one suicide death every 40 seconds (WHO, 2021). When considering the number of bereaved family, friends, and communities behind every single one of these deaths, the impact of suicide on our world […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities Local government Research and Impact: PhD interns July 8, 2022
Reports Environment and Net Zero What Works Network implementation project Building on our work to increase the impact of the What Works network across the UK, the Wales Centre for Public Policy won funding from the ESRC to work with Professor Jonathan Sharples at EEF and other What Works Centres to apply the latest thinking and evidence on implementation – how evidence is used in decision […] Read more Topics: Local government April 10, 2022
Reports Community Wellbeing Stakeholders’ ideas for tackling loneliness in Wales through the pandemic and beyond In July 2021, the Wales Centre for Public Policy worked in partnership with Kaleidoscope Health and Care to run a multifaceted engagement programme involving stakeholders working to tackle loneliness and enhance wellbeing in Wales and beyond. The programme included a two-day digital event (14th and 15th July) and a stakeholder survey. Participants reflected on their […] Read more Topics: Local government Loneliness October 13, 2021
Reports Community Wellbeing Who is lonely in Wales? This series of data insights on loneliness in Wales is based on bespoke analysis of the National Survey for Wales (NSW). It is designed to provide policy makers and public services with a greater understanding of who is lonely and the intersection of different ‘risk factors’ so that funding and interventions to tackle loneliness can […] Read more Topics: Loneliness October 11, 2021
Reports Tackling Inequalities Research and Impact The Welsh Government’s use of policy tools for mainstreaming equalities From the onset of devolution, the Welsh Government has had a statutory duty to mainstream equality of opportunity in all of its activities. Following two decades of variation in prominence on the Governmental agenda, the mainstreaming of equality within the Welsh Government has experienced a renewed interest in recent years. In 2018, then First Minister […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Research and Impact: PhD interns June 9, 2021
Reports Community Wellbeing The role of communities and the use of technology in mitigating loneliness during the pandemic This report presents findings from WCPP research on the role of communities and the use of technology in mitigating loneliness during the Coronavirus pandemic. Tackling loneliness was a priority for Welsh Government and public services before the Coronavirus pandemic and has become a greater concern since. Lockdowns and social distancing policies introduced in response to […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government May 26, 2021
Reports Tackling Inequalities Improving race equality in Wales The Welsh Government has made a commitment to publish a Race Equality Action Plan designed to tackle structural racial and ethnic inequalities in Wales. The Deputy Minister and Chief Whip asked the Wales Centre for Public Policy to undertake evidence reviews to inform the development of the Action Plan across six key policy areas, chosen […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion March 15, 2021
Reports Tackling Inequalities Disabled Facilities Grants: Changing the means test In 2019 in Wales 22% of the population were disabled, with the disabled population projected to increase significantly by 2035. Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) are means-tested grants for owner-occupiers and tenants (private or social) who are disabled to help towards the costs of making their home accessible. They are mandatory grants funded and administered by […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion March 10, 2021
Reports Environment and Net Zero Remote Working The Welsh economy is experiencing a profound and unprecedented shock due to the Coronavirus pandemic. One of the consequences of lockdowns and public health restrictions has been requiring people, where they can, to work from home. UK data suggests that while just 5 per cent of workers worked from home prior to March 2020, this […] Read more Topics: Economy Employment, work and skills February 22, 2021
Reports Environment and Net Zero Achieving a just transition in Wales With ten years left to avoid a climate system breakdown as cautioned by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the need for decarbonising our economies has never been more urgent. Decarbonisation is a major policy challenge with the Welsh Government stating its ambition for a target of a 95% reduction in emissions by 2050. […] Read more Topics: Economy Energy Net zero January 27, 2021
Reports Environment and Net Zero The implications of the European transition for key Welsh economic sectors Following its exit from the EU, the UK Government has started to negotiate free trade agreements with the EU and with other countries around the world. The negotiations and their outcomes will have a profound impact on the Welsh economy, as a whole and individually for key sectors. The Counsel General and Minister for European […] Read more Topics: Economy December 17, 2020
Reports Community Wellbeing Designing technology-enabled services to tackle loneliness Tackling loneliness was a priority for Welsh Government and public services across Wales before the Coronavirus pandemic and has become a greater concern since. The policy response of governments across the world that are dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic has focused on us all keeping a physical distance from others. There is growing concern about […] Read more Topics: Loneliness December 14, 2020
Reports Community Wellbeing Alternative models of domiciliary care Domiciliary care providers and markets are facing a range of challenges as a result of changing population demographics and funding pressures, which produce market fragility and workforce shortages. Alternative models of domiciliary care are being explored in Wales and elsewhere as possible responses to these challenges. The Coronavirus pandemic has placed additional pressure on social […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities December 3, 2020
Reports Post-Brexit migration and Wales This report analyses the potential impacts of post-Brexit migration policies on Wales’ labour market, population and society, and identifies ways in which the Welsh Government might respond to the opportunities and challenges that this presents. Ending free movement will have a significant impact on population change in Wales, which has been more reliant on non-UK […] Read more Topics: Economy November 30, 2020
Reports Environment and Net Zero UK migration policy and the Welsh NHS and social care workforce The UK Government has proposed a new, points-based immigration system to come into effect once the European Union (EU) Transition Period ends. The main effect of the new system will be to create equal status for EU and non-EU immigrants, and to end the free movement of labour to and from the European Union. While […] Read more Topics: Economy Employment, work and skills September 28, 2020
Reports Tackling Inequalities Children looked after in Wales On 31st March 2019, there were 6,845 children looked after in Wales, a further increase of 440 compared to the previous year. As a result, the gap between the rate of children looked after in Wales compared to other parts of the UK has continued to widen. Within Wales, while most Local Authorities have seen […] Read more Topics: Loneliness Poverty and social exclusion September 9, 2020
Reports Environment and Net Zero Policy options for Welsh fishing opportunities The current size and performance of the Welsh fishing industry, as well as the policy context of the Well-being of Future Generations Act and Environment Act, all provide important context for thinking through what a successful industry fishing can look like in Wales post-Brexit. Attempts have been made to strengthen fisheries management, particularly at a […] Read more Topics: Energy September 2, 2020
Reports Community Wellbeing Loneliness in the lockdown Loneliness and social isolation are key challenges to wellbeing. As improving wellbeing continues to be a priority for Welsh policy and public services, tackling loneliness and social isolation will continue to be on the agenda at both the national and local level. The Wales Centre for Public Policy is working to bring local public service providers, […] Read more Topics: Loneliness April 30, 2020
Reports Increasing the impact of the What Works network across the UK This report summarises the learning from an ESRC Strategic Fund project led by the Wales Centre for Public Policy in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast, What Works Scotland, and the Alliance for Useful Evidence. Through a series of summits with policy makers and practitioners featuring evidence from the What Works network, this project aimed to: […] Read more Topics: Employment, work and skills March 10, 2020
Reports Tackling Inequalities International approaches to managing placement provision for children and young people looked after This report presents the findings of a review of the international evidence on approaches to managing placement provision for children and young peopled looked after, identifying key areas for further analysis. We identify five key areas of divergence between the countries studied which would be suitable for further exploration: The balance between reunification and permanence. […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion March 3, 2020
Reports Community Wellbeing What do children and young people looked after and their families think about care? Care-experienced children and young people as well as their families have unique perspectives on the care system and incorporating their views into decision-making has a range of wider benefits for commissioners. Moreover, public services in Wales have adopted a Children’s Rights approach based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities February 17, 2020
Projects Research and Impact What are Knowledge Brokering Organisations? There has been a significant growth in the number of evidence intermediaries or knowledge brokering organisations sitting between research and government and seeking to bridge the perceived ‘gap’ between evidence and policy. Their proliferation has been fuelled by the key assumption of the evidence-informed policymaking (EIPM) movement: that more evidence will lead to better policy. […] Read more Research and Impact: The role of KBOs November 1, 2019
Reports Tackling Inequalities Gender equality: Learning from Nordic nations This report summarises discussions from a gender equality knowledge exchange, facilitated by Wales Centre for Public Policy, between experts from Nordic nations, Welsh Government ministers and officials, and Chwarae Teg. There is no ‘quick fix’ for gender equality, and nor is there a blueprint for success; it looks different in different nations, and is always […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion September 24, 2019
Reports Tackling Inequalities Tackling inequality through gender budgeting Gender budgeting is an approach to public policy making that puts gender analysis at the heart of budget processes, public finance and economic policy, as a means of advancing gender equality. It is a critical review of how budgetary allocations affect the economic and social opportunities of women and men, and it seeks to restructure […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Local government September 24, 2019
Reports Environment and Net Zero At the Tipping Point: Welsh Local Government and Austerity This report outlines Welsh councils’ responses to austerity, drawing on interviews with Welsh council leaders, chief executives, finance directors, and external stakeholders. Councils have responded to austerity in three main ways: by making efficiency savings; by reducing the need for council services; and by changing the role played by councils and other stakeholders. There are […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government June 26, 2019
Reports Community Wellbeing Analysis of the Factors Contributing to the High Rates of Care in Wales On 31st March 2018, there were 6,405 children looked after in Wales, almost 1,900 more children than were looked after in 2006. Over that time Wales has consistently had more children looked after per 10,000 of the population than the rest of the UK, and that gap has widened. Within Wales, while most Local Authorities […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities May 14, 2019
Reports Improving Cross-Cutting Working Cross-cutting working is not new to Wales, and it possesses many of the prerequisites for effective cross-government working. Research shows that cross-cutting working isn’t a panacea or quick fix because it runs counter to the way in which government activity is usually organised and therefore requires high level political commitment backed by significant managerial capacity. […] Read more Topics: Local government April 17, 2019
Reports Tackling Inequalities Supporting improvements in health boards Some local health boards in Wales have struggled over several years to deliver satisfactory health services within their existing resources, with one health board in special measures and others receiving additional funding from Welsh Government. This report synthesises expert academic and practitioner knowledge about what is effective in supporting improvement in health boards, either through […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities April 9, 2019
Reports Environment and Net Zero Migration in Wales In December 2018, the UK Government published an Immigration White Paper which detailed migration policy after Brexit, and incorporated a number of recommendations from an earlier report by the Migration Advisory Committee. This report discusses the likely impact of these policies on the Welsh economy. Although the proportional reduction in migration will be higher in […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Economy March 18, 2019
Reports Sustainable Public Procurement This paper has been produced at an important juncture in discussion of public procurement in Wales. Procurement services have been criticised by both the Wales Audit Office and the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee, and following a year of consultation, the then Cabinet Secretary for Finance announced the cessation of the National Procurement Service in […] Read more Topics: Local government March 13, 2019
Reports Tackling Inequalities Responding to Citizens in Debt to Public Services The First Minister asked the WCPP to explore the evidence around the question ‘How might public services and their contracted partners in Wales better respond to vulnerable debtors, especially those subject to prosecution and prison?’ The report focuses on council tax debt and rent arrears to local authorities and social landlords as key forms of […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion February 28, 2019
Reports Environment and Net Zero Beyond Contracting: Public Service Stewardship to Maximise Public Value The public sector in Wales spends approximately £6 billion per annum with external suppliers. This represents nearly one third of total devolved expenditure. Approaches to procurement have recently come under critical scrutiny and a new national procurement strategy is currently being developed. Public bodies in Wales need to ensure that their procurement decisions reflect the […] Read more Topics: Economy Employment, work and skills February 4, 2019
Reports Environment and Net Zero Air Quality Strategies and Technologies Poor air quality negatively affects human health and the environment. For this reason, governments and private sector organisations across the world are developing and trialling a wide range of ways to improve air quality. This report provides a rapid review of the different types of air quality initiatives that exist internationally and offers a brief […] Read more Topics: Energy Net zero November 20, 2018
Reports Tackling Inequalities Promoting Job Progression in Low Pay Sectors Today, being stuck in low-pay work is a real risk for many. In Wales, about 459,000 workers are employed in low-paying occupations, and almost two-thirds of those are women (Low Pay Commission 2017). The Welsh Government’s Economic Action Plan and Employability Plan aim to tackle poor-quality work - including improving job progression opportunities for workers […] Read more Topics: Employment, work and skills Poverty and social exclusion November 6, 2018
Reports Tackling Inequalities Preventing Youth Homelessness In June 2017, the First Minster announced that he would ask the Wales Centre for Public Policy to contribute research on youth homelessness prevention. An international evidence review, and a supplementary report mapping interventions in Wales, form this contribution. In the context of a global shift towards prevention, the international review identifies evidence-based interventions, promising practices, […] Read more Topics: Housing and homes Poverty and social exclusion October 25, 2018
News Tackling Inequalities Smacking children no more effective than other forms of discipline says new report Smacking and other forms of physical punishment are no more effective in instilling discipline in children than other parenting techniques, according to a new report by the Wales Centre for Public Policy. ‘Parental Physical Punishment: Child Outcomes and Attitudes’ reviews what’s known about how children are affected by physical punishment. While there are no clear […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities July 19, 2018
Reports Tackling Inequalities What Works in Tackling Rural Poverty The Welsh Government has supported a wide range of programmes to address rural poverty and yet recent estimates suggest that almost a quarter of the rural population of Wales is living in poverty. Continuing pressure on the Welsh Government’s budget combined with the potential loss of EU funding for rural programmes means that it is […] Read more Topics: Local government Poverty and social exclusion July 6, 2018
Reports Environment and Net Zero What Works in Tackling Rural Poverty: An Evidence Review of Interventions to Address Fuel Poverty This report explores interventions to tackle fuel poverty in a range of OECD countries about which some reliable evidence about effectiveness exists. The majority of interventions are large-scale government subsidised activities focused on improving the energy efficiency of the housing stock and/or household appliances (in particular hot water and heating boilers). Investment costs of these […] Read more Topics: Energy Poverty and social exclusion June 22, 2018
Reports Tackling Inequalities What Works in Tackling Rural Poverty: An Evidence Review of Interventions to Improve Access to Services The Welsh Government has supported a wide range of programmes to address rural poverty and yet recent estimates suggest that almost a quarter of the rural population of Wales is living in poverty. The causes of rural poverty are complex and multi-faceted, but access to services is known to be an important contributory factor. This […] Read more Topics: Local government Poverty and social exclusion June 11, 2018
Reports Tackling Inequalities What Works in Tackling Rural Poverty: An Evidence Review of Interventions to Improve Transport in Rural Areas Rural public transport is considered crucial to the development of rural areas, and plays a central role in key groups accessing services, employment, training, and recreation. It is however comparatively expensive to operate and difficult to design in a way that meets the diverse needs of rural communities. The review identifies three overarching approaches to […] Read more Topics: Housing and homes Poverty and social exclusion June 11, 2018
Reports Environment and Net Zero Implications of Brexit for Fishing Opportunities in Wales This report explores the potential implications of the planned exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union and the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy for fisheries policy in Wales. Analysis of fleet economic performance under various Brexit scenarios reveals that, while the Welsh fishing fleet as a whole could gain, there are large divisions in […] Read more Topics: Economy February 13, 2018
Reports Community Wellbeing The Implications of Brexit for Agriculture, Rural Areas and Land Use in Wales This report highlights the challenges and opportunities for agriculture and rural areas in Wales that could result from Brexit. The report’s author, Professor Janet Dwyer, argues that the most likely changes in trading conditions will leave Welsh agriculture in a disadvantaged position compared to its main trading competitors. How key food and forestry processors and […] Read more Topics: Economy Housing and homes January 16, 2018
Reports Community Wellbeing Future of Work in Wales The future of work is uncertain, with a wide range of societal changes affecting the labour market. Technological advances and increased connectivity; continued austerity and political uncertainty; demographic and climate change; shifting attitudes to working and more flexible patterns of employment; globalisation and urbanisation all impact on the nature of work. Concerns about the implications […] Read more Topics: Employment, work and skills November 1, 2017
Reports Community Wellbeing Tackling Inequalities Rural Poverty in Wales The Welsh Government has identified Rural Poverty as a priority area for evidence, and our own preliminary analysis of existing research confirmed that there is a need for better evidence to address this important issue. This report looks at the issues surrounding rural poverty. The findings from our initial review revealed that whilst the manifestations […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Poverty and social exclusion January 21, 2016
