News Tackling Inequalities Economic background and deprivation are key factors affecting participation in tertiary education in Wales Fresh approach needed to reduce inequalities across the sector, academics conclude Household deprivation and socio-economic background are among the most significant factors affecting which post-16 pathways are followed by learners in Wales, a WCPP study shows. The report was commissioned by the Welsh Government to support Medr, the new Commission for Tertiary Education and Research, […] Read more Topics: Education inequalities Poverty and social exclusion October 24, 2024
News Tackling Inequalities Research partner needed to support our place-based poverty stigma project As part of our work on tackling poverty stigma, we are delivering a project aimed at finding local solutions to poverty stigma in Swansea. This project is being run in partnership with Swansea Council (Tackling Poverty team), and Swansea Poverty Truth Commissioners (the project ‘Design Team’). The goal of this project is to help partners […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion October 7, 2024
Reports Tackling Inequalities Tackling poverty-related stigma: policy briefing The policy briefing summarises the key messages from our initial desk review of existing research looking specifically at the causes of poverty stigma, its impact, and what works to tackle it. Our Poverty and Social Exclusion review (2022) revealed that tackling stigma is a key priority for people with first-hand experience of poverty. In 2023, […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion August 14, 2024
Projects Tackling Inequalities Research and Impact WCPP ESRC Policy Fellowship – Involving experts-by-experience in knowledge mobilisation Since November 2023, the ESRC has funded a Policy Fellow to be seconded to the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) to enhance the understanding, capabilities, and skills of knowledge brokering organisations in involving people with lived experience in our work. The Fellowship is an 18-month collaboration between the Fellow (Dr Rounaq Nayak), WCPP, and […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Lived experience Research and Impact: The role of KBOs August 13, 2024
News Congratulations Laura! Professor Laura McAllister has taken over as chair of the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) Advisory Group while Dr June Milligan becomes vice-chair. A Professor of Public Policy and the Governance of Wales at Cardiff University, Laura has been a member of WCPP’s Advisory Group since 2017. Alongside her academic career, she has performed […] Read more May 29, 2024
News Tackling Inequalities New, place-based partnership to tackle poverty stigma We are delighted to announce a partnership with Swansea Council and members of Swansea Poverty Truth Commission (SPTC), hosted by Swansea Council for Voluntary Service (SCVS), to advance understanding of poverty stigma and support public services’ efforts to tackle it. The partnership follows close collaboration between WCPP and the Swansea Poverty Truth Commission in the […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Poverty and social exclusion May 17, 2024
Projects Tackling Inequalities Guidance for schools to support trans young people The Welsh Government published an LGBTQ+ Action Plan in February 2023, providing a framework for policy development across the Welsh Government and partners to support LGBTQ+ individuals within Wales. As part of the LGBTQ+ Action Plan, the Welsh Government committed to provide appropriate national guidance for schools and local authorities to support trans children and […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Education inequalities May 1, 2024
News Environment and Net Zero Barriers and opportunities to Wales reaching net zero WCPP’s final evidence papers for the Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group show that Wales is behind its current 2050 net zero ambitions in transport and residential buildings (along with the food and energy sectors as previously reported) and that bringing the target forward to 2035 would require policy innovation on an ‘unprecedented’ scale, along […] Read more Topics: Housing and homes Net zero Transport April 17, 2024
Reports Tackling Inequalities Research and Impact Lived experience evidence in disability policy making Welsh Government is committed to including lived experience evidence in policymaking wherever possible. This commitment was reinforced in disability policymaking following the publication of the in 2021. This report – published in both a plain language and easy read format - considers the role of lived experience evidence and co-production in disability policymaking in Wales […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Lived experience Research and Impact: PhD interns March 7, 2024
Reports Tackling Inequalities Data analysis to support multi-agency working for vulnerable children and families Multi-agency data can be used to identify trends, risks and opportunities, and to inform the development of effective policies and services for vulnerable children and families (NHS Digital, 2022). For example, identifying and supporting current and future potential families at risk, understanding needs to inform preventative and responsive action, investigating outcomes for certain groups, informing […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion January 12, 2024
News Tackling Inequalities Policy mix needed to stem economic impact of population decline With Wales’ working age population ageing and in decline, the Wales Centre for Public Policy has reviewed international approaches to this trend and found that a mix of policies to increase fertility and encourage population retention and attraction could help minimise a major economic challenge. Trends in fertility and mortality in Wales have resulted in […] Read more Topics: Economy December 18, 2023
News Tackling Inequalities WCPP to co-lead £5 Million project to reduce health inequality £5 million has been awarded to Rhondda Cynon Taf Council by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), with the aim of reducing health inequality and improving wellbeing. Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has been successful in its bid to become a Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC). The collaboration, co-led by the Wales Centre […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities December 12, 2023
News Research and Impact WCPP confirms commitment to tackling key policy challenges facing Wales The Wales Centre for Public Policy has confirmed its commitment to supporting Wales’ public services to tackle three key policy challenges: Tackling Inequalities Environment and net zero Community Wellbeing To mark its tenth anniversary and the start of a new, five-year funding period, the WCPP has published ‘WCPP at 10’ which details some of the […] Read more Research and Impact: Impact Methods and approaches December 11, 2023
News Environment and Net Zero Partnership with WLGA to help public sector reach net zero The Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) and Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) have joined forces to support the public sector transition to net zero. Net zero is a top priority for both organisations and the WLGA has asked us to review the policies and practices that local authorities in other small countries and devolved […] Read more Topics: Local government Net zero December 7, 2023
Projects Environment and Net Zero A local authority-led transition to net zero The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) is coordinating a climate change transition and recovery support programme to meet the overall target for the public sector to reach net zero by 2030 and the interim targets outlined in the Net Zero Wales Carbon Budget 2 (2021-25). Local government has a crucial role to play in leading […] Read more Topics: Energy Local government Net zero December 7, 2023
News Environment and Net Zero Fast and sustained action needed to increase Wales’ electricity generation capacity "Meeting 2035 targets in energy generation will require more than doubling the best energy build rate achieved in the last 60 years and sustaining it over 12 years." The Wales Centre for Public Policy has submitted evidence to support the Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group’s analysis of “How could Wales meet energy needs […] Read more Topics: Energy Net zero December 5, 2023
News Research and Impact A new 12-month role for Steve Martin Over the next 12 months our Director, Professor Steve Martin, will take a step back from day-to-day leadership of the WCPP to enable him to work with colleagues to advance understanding of successful approaches to supporting evidence-informed policy making. With the support of our funders - the Welsh Government, ESRC and Cardiff University - Steve […] Read more Research and Impact: Methods and approaches The role of KBOs November 17, 2023
Projects 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 November 8, 2023
Projects Tackling Inequalities Poverty stigma We are supporting public services and policy makers in Wales to understand poverty stigma and how it affects their communities. Read more Topics: Lived experience Local government Poverty and social exclusion October 20, 2023
News Community Wellbeing Building the foundations of a healthier democracy in Wales A new Wales Centre for Public Policy report recommends ways to improve the measurement of democratic health in Wales. The research, commissioned by the Counsel General, goes beyond examining levels of electoral registration and turnout. It sets out to answer three questions to support efforts to expand participation in the democratic process, especially among under-represented […] Read more Topics: Local government October 18, 2023
Projects Tackling Inequalities Equity in tertiary education Post-compulsory learning is associated with a range of positive life outcomes, such as enhanced employment opportunities, increased earnings and improved wellbeing. However, evidence suggests that there are inequalities in access to, progression within, and outcomes from tertiary education among different groups. To address these inequalities and to provide a whole-system approach to post-compulsory education, the […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Education inequalities Poverty and social exclusion October 9, 2023
Reports Community Wellbeing Blending online and face-to-face provision in community wellbeing services Following often rapid shifts ‘online’ during the coronavirus lockdowns and subsequent returns to in-person activity, community-based wellbeing services across Wales are facing the challenge of how to ‘blend’ digital and face-to-face provision beyond the pandemic. Our research, delivered in collaboration with Frame CIC, aimed to find out more from organisations and practitioners about this, to […] Read more Topics: Local government Loneliness September 22, 2023
Reports Community Wellbeing Multi-agency working in Cwm Taf Morgannwg It has long been recognised that for the most vulnerable children, those at risk of going into care, the services that offer support must be provided in a coordinated and ‘joined-up’ way. This is both because of overlapping problems and needs, with the most frequently cited being the ‘trigger trio’ of substance misuse, domestic abuse, […] Read more Topics: Local government Poverty and social exclusion August 12, 2023
News Community Wellbeing New approach needed to tackle loneliness A Wales Centre for Public Policy review into loneliness inequalities, conducted by some of the UK’s leading scholars in the field, highlights key social and societal factors that lead to loneliness inequalities. Significantly, this departure from viewing loneliness as an individual problem to be treated by interventions such as befriending services or behavioural therapy suggests that […] Read more Topics: Loneliness August 10, 2023
News Environment and Net Zero Food for thought The Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) has published its response to the Wales Net Zero 2035 Group’s first challenge question ‘How could Wales feed itself in 2035?’ recommending urgent and open debate around Wales’ food system, one of the sectors that is currently a major contributor to Wales’ greenhouse gas emissions. This WCPP report […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities Net zero July 24, 2023
News Environment and Net Zero Wales’ net zero game changers The Wales Centre for Public Policy has highlighted some key areas which could help Wales overturn a deficit in the fight against climate change, as recently highlighted by the UK Climate Change Committee's most recent progress report to the Senedd. WCPP has been asked to provide evidence to the NZ2035 Challenge Group to help inform […] Read more Topics: Net zero June 28, 2023
News Tackling Inequalities Not everybody wants a goat! Five key takeaways from Wales’ basic income pilot The Welsh Government is currently among a small but growing group of governments world-wide testing out the benefits of a basic income scheme. The Basic Income for Care Leavers in Wales Pilot is currently supporting 500 young people leaving care with an income of £1280 (after tax) per month for three years. In England, think […] Read more Topics: Economy Poverty and social exclusion June 19, 2023
Reports Tackling Inequalities Basic Income conference highlights pack The Basic Income for Care Leavers in Wales Pilot was launched by the First Minister on 1st July 2022, in line with the Programme for Government commitment to pilot an approach to basic income in Wales. The £20 million pilot scheme will provide a cohort of young people leaving care with an unconditional cash transfer […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion June 19, 2023
News Tackling Inequalities The inequalities of loneliness Does loneliness affect some groups of society more than others in a way that can be dealt with by reducing structural inequality? A Wales Centre for Public Policy review into loneliness inequalities, conducted by some of the UK’s leading scholars in the field, is set to highlight some key societal factors that lead to loneliness inequalities. […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities Loneliness June 16, 2023
News Community Wellbeing Loneliness, older adults and technology During #LonelinessWeek, Wales Centre for Public Policy will issue a series of publications covering different aspects of research around this important topic. Loneliness is a ‘feeling experienced when there is a gap between desired and actual social contact’ (Age Cymru 2021) Loneliness is distinct from social isolation, which refers to a lack in the quantity […] Read more Topics: Local government Loneliness June 12, 2023
News Building safety regulation evidence published The Wales Centre for Public Policy has published international evidence on building safety regulation to help inform draft Welsh Government legislation. Currently in Wales, building safety is regulated by local authorities and the fire and rescue services but the Welsh Government commissioned WCPP to contribute evidence on regulatory models as part of its planned reforms […] Read more Topics: Housing and homes May 12, 2023
Reports Environment and Net Zero Review of regulatory models for building safety Building regulation powers were devolved in 2011, granting Welsh Government ministers the power to make changes to the regulatory building safety system in Wales. The Grenfell Tower tragedy has exposed the need to make improvements to the building safety system. The Welsh Government is in the process of reforming the current system, following a Programme […] Read more Topics: Employment, work and skills Housing and homes May 12, 2023
News Research and Impact Wales Centre for Public Policy awarded funding to study 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. The project will focus on two key aspects of WCPP’s work: implementation and impact. This will involve analysing how these markers of success look to WWC’s stakeholders and how other organisations […] Read more Research and Impact: Impact Methods and approaches The role of KBOs April 4, 2023
Reports Community Wellbeing What can Public Service Boards do to improve well-being from a community perspective? Public Services Boards (PSBs) are required by the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 to produce local well-being plans every five years, on the basis of an assessment of well-being needs in their local areas, setting out well-being objectives and proposed steps to meet them. Following from our previous work in 2021 providing briefings […] Read more Topics: Local government February 23, 2023
Reports Tackling Inequalities What can Public Service Boards do about poverty? Public Services Boards (PSBs) are required by the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 to produce local well-being plans every five years, on the basis of an assessment of well-being needs in their local areas, setting out well-being objectives and proposed steps to meet them. Following from our previous work in 2021 providing briefings […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion February 23, 2023
Projects Community Wellbeing Well-being plan workshops for Public Services Boards Public Services Boards (PSBs) are required by the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 to produce local well-being plans every five years, on the basis of an assessment of well-being needs in their local areas, setting out well-being objectives and proposed steps to meet them. Following from our previous work in 2021 providing briefings […] Read more Topics: Local government February 23, 2023
Reports 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 January 26, 2023
News Research and Impact The Wales Centre for Public Policy receives £9 million investment to support its on-going work in tackling major policy challenges We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded £9 million over the next five years to continue our work providing policy makers and public service leaders in Wales with authoritative independent evidence that helps improve policy making and delivery. We are funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, Welsh Government and Cardiff […] Read more Research and Impact: Impact Methods and approaches The role of KBOs November 29, 2022
Projects Community Wellbeing Defining, measuring, and monitoring democratic health in Wales ‘Democracy’ is seen as an ideal system of government, because it confers power and legitimacy to political actors and institutions only to the extent that it represents the ‘will of the people’. To those that seek to govern, they must be able to show that the have the support of those who are to be […] Read more Topics: Local government November 25, 2022
Reports Tackling Inequalities National Milestones The Wellbeing of Future Generations Act (Wales) 2015 requires Welsh Government Ministers to set National Indicators to measure progress towards the seven national well-being goals, shown in the figure below. On March 16th, 2016, a set of 46 National Indicators were laid. The Act also requires Ministers to lay National Milestones for 2050 which ‘set […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities October 25, 2022
Reports Tackling Inequalities Reducing waiting times in Wales The number of people on NHS Wales waiting lists for treatment has reached record levels. This problem has worsened since the Covid-19 pandemic, with the average wait time for treatment more than doubling since December 2019. Data on waiting times are captured by Local Health Boards and reported to Welsh Government in the form of […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities October 20, 2022
News Tackling Inequalities Long-term response vital to tackling poverty in Wales, review concludes Sustained and coordinated action is needed to address poverty in Wales, according to academics from Cardiff University. A major 18-report review from the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP), which was undertaken in partnership with the Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion (CASE) at the London School of Economics and Political Science and the New […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion September 27, 2022
Reports Tackling Inequalities International review of effective anti-poverty policies and programmes As part of the Wales Centre for Public Policy’s (WCPP) review of poverty and social exclusion, the Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion (CASE) at the LSE was commissioned to conduct a review of the international evidence on promising policies and programmes designed to reduce poverty and social exclusion across twelve key policy areas. The […] Read more Topics: Local government Poverty and social exclusion September 26, 2022
Reports Tackling Inequalities Lived experience of poverty and social exclusion in Wales This report outlines the results of four workshops conducted in different areas of Wales involving people with direct lived experience of poverty and social exclusion. The workshops form part of a broader project conducted by the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) for the Welsh Government to deliver a review of international strategies, programmes and […] Read more Topics: Lived experience Poverty and social exclusion September 26, 2022
Reports Tackling Inequalities International review of effective anti-poverty strategies This report, written by the New Policy Institute (NPI), reviews the international evidence on what makes an anti-poverty strategy effective. The report forms part of a wider project that is intended to practically inform Welsh Government policy decisions on poverty and social exclusion. The focus of the report is on the anti-poverty strategy itself, as […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion September 26, 2022
Projects Community Wellbeing Blended Services Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, public and third sector organisations supporting community wellbeing have relied on a mixture of remote and face-to-face methods for delivering services and engaging with the people they support. While surrounding debate can sometimes focus on the strengths and weaknesses of digital ‘versus’ face-to-face provision in a binary way, emergent in the […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Loneliness August 30, 2022
Reports Community Wellbeing Infrastructure and longterm wellbeing This commentary report accompanies a rapid review of evidence about how physical infrastructure influences long-term wellbeing, commissioned by the Welsh Government to help inform its approach to infrastructure planning and investment. The review summarises evidence from a wide range of research traditions and disciplines which shows how physical infrastructure has a significant influence on long-term […] Read more Topics: Economy Employment, work and skills Loneliness May 27, 2022
Reports Reform of electoral law and practice Elections were devolved to Wales through the Government of Wales Act 2017. Since then, Welsh Ministers have embarked on a programme of electoral reform most noted by the extension of the franchise to 16 and 17 year-olds and qualifying foreign citizens for Senedd and local government elections. The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act also […] Read more Topics: Local government March 25, 2022
Reports Community Wellbeing Children's social services and care rates in Wales: A survey of the sector Wales has seen a rise in both the number and rate of children looked after. The rate is now higher than any time since the 1980s. In addition, Wales has consistently had more children looked after per 10,000 of the population than the rest of the UK. This trend is a cause for concern; particularly […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion March 11, 2022
Reports Community Wellbeing Challenges and Priorities for Health and Social Care in Wales The challenges facing health and social care in Wales are complex and multifaceted. Systemic and workforce issues affect the smooth delivery of the health and care service, and specific health challenges faced by the Welsh population place increasing pressure on the system. The Wales Centre for Public Policy, in partnership with Kaleidoscope Health and Care, […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities Local government January 11, 2022
Reports Tackling Inequalities Education recovery: Responding to the Coronavirus pandemic Coronavirus-related school closures have resulted in significant disruption to children and young people’s learning in schools and colleges in Wales, as elsewhere. In the year between March 2020 and April 2021, up to 124 classroom days per pupil were lost in Wales. The impact of the disruption on educational progress has been particularly acute for […] Read more Topics: Education inequalities January 10, 2022
Reports Tackling Inequalities Raising the age of participation in education to 18 In England, the compulsory age of participation in education or training was raised to 17 in 2013 and then 18 in 2015. In Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, the school leaving age is 16. The idea of raising the age of participation in education or training is gaining traction in the Scottish context, as well […] Read more Topics: Education inequalities Employment, work and skills January 7, 2022
News Tackling Inequalities Lifelong learning is the key to unlocking Wales’ full potential Lifelong learning should be a key focus for Wales’ Commission for Tertiary Education and Research (CTER), according to a report from Cardiff University. The study, by the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP), calls for enhanced rights and entitlements to education, training and community learning; supported by career advice at key life change points as […] Read more Topics: Education inequalities December 16, 2021
Reports Tackling Inequalities Supporting the Welsh Lifelong Learning system To assist the Welsh Government in balancing the productivity-related objectives with the societal objectives of lifelong learning, the Wales Centre for Public Policy was asked to conduct an evidence review into lifelong learning. This review aims to inform policy discussions and support the implementation of the Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Bill published on 1st […] Read more Topics: Education inequalities Employment, work and skills December 16, 2021
Projects Environment and Net Zero Modelling carbon emissions in 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 them. WCPP […] Read more Topics: Energy Net zero November 17, 2021
Projects Environment and Net Zero Decarbonising Wales: Energy, Industry, Land Following the Welsh Government’s pledge to meet net zero emissions by 2050 and the outcome of the COP26 conference in Glasgow, it is clear that efforts to decarbonise our economy and society will be ever more important to public policy and debate in the years and decades to come. But while we know where we […] Read more Topics: Economy Energy Net zero November 17, 2021
Projects Tackling Inequalities Supporting the Welsh lifelong learning system Plans in Wales for a new Commission for Tertiary Education and Research, and the introduction of the Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Bill to the Senedd, represent a shake-up to how higher and further education is governed and organised in Wales. As part of this, the WCPP have been asked to contribute a review of […] Read more Topics: Economy Education inequalities November 17, 2021
Reports Tackling Inequalities Implementing the Race Equality Action Plan The Welsh Government’s Race Equality Action Plan sets out to tackle structural racial inequalities in Wales in order to make ‘meaningful and measurable changes to the lives of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people by tackling racism’ and achieve ‘a Wales that is anti-racist by 2030’. The consultation closed in July and responses are currently […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion November 15, 2021
News Research and Impact WCPP work showcased in new report from the Academy of Social Sciences The Wales Centre for Public Policy is featured in a new report published by the Academy of Social Sciences, in partnership with SAGE Publishing. The Place to Be: how social sciences are helping to improve places in the UK, brings together 24 case studies showcasing how university-based social scientists are helping to make local areas, […] Read more Research and Impact: Impact Methods and approaches November 11, 2021
Projects Community Wellbeing Children looked after The substantial and sustained increase in the rate of children in care in Wales over the past 25 years has been a source of policy concern Wales has seen a rise in both the number and rate of children looked after. The rate is now higher than any time since the 1980s. In addition, Wales […] Read more Topics: Lived experience Poverty and social exclusion October 21, 2021
Reports Community Wellbeing Well-being briefings for Public Services Boards Public Services Boards (PSBs) are required by the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 to produce well-being assessments every five years, in line with local authority elections. These assessments should capture the state of well-being in local authority areas, in terms of economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being; and lead to objectives to improve […] Read more Topics: Local government September 30, 2021
Reports Community Wellbeing Multi-agency working and outcomes for children looked after ‘At risk’ children and families will frequently interact with multiple agencies and services. It has been a long-held aspiration that these bodies and the services that they provide are better coordinated and, moreover, centred on the people that they are seeking to help. With other work focusing on the factors that lead to children being […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Poverty and social exclusion September 22, 2021
Reports Community Wellbeing Research and Impact Collaboration and policy implementation at the local level in Wales The United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union will have a considerable impact on the agricultural industry in Wales. Agricultural policy is a devolved matter, for which the Welsh Government is allocated an annual budget by the UK Government; prior to Brexit, this funding was delivered through the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy. In 2021-2022, Wales’ […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government Research and Impact: PhD interns June 30, 2021
Projects Reform of Electoral Law and Practice Elections were devolved to Wales through the Government of Wales Act 2017. Since then, Welsh Ministers have embarked on a programme of electoral reform most noted by the extension of the franchise to 16- and 17-year-olds and qualifying foreign citizens for Senedd and local government elections. The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act also provided […] Read more Topics: Local government June 21, 2021
Reports Community Wellbeing Improving evidence use in local government Fostering links between academia and local government has long been a concern for those interested in promoting evidence-informed practice. While the barriers and enablers of evidence use are well known (Langer et al. 2016) and there is a growing body of literature on local government practitioners and academics as research partners, less is known about […] Read more Topics: Local government June 17, 2021
Projects Community Wellbeing Well-being briefings for Public Services Boards Public Services Boards (PSBs) are required by the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 to produce well-being assessments every five years, in line with local authority elections. These assessments should capture the state of well-being in local authority areas, in terms of economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being; and lead to objectives to improve […] Read more Topics: Local government Loneliness June 14, 2021
Reports Community Wellbeing Volunteering and wellbeing during the Coronavirus pandemic Volunteering has played a crucial role in supporting communities during the pandemic. Interest in volunteering saw a dramatic spike early in the pandemic, and volunteers have helped meet people’s emotional and physical needs during the crisis. There is widespread interest from policymakers and practitioners in maintaining this activity to contribute to a wellbeing-led recovery in […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government June 7, 2021
Reports WCPP Evidence Briefing Papers The Wales Centre for Public Policy works with leading researchers and policy experts to synthesise and mobilise existing evidence and identify gaps where there is a need to generate new knowledge. This series of evidence briefing papers summarises some of the key policy areas, challenges and opportunities that we have researched in recent years. In […] Read more Topics: Economy Employment, work and skills March 9, 2021
Reports Tackling Inequalities Education attainment: Responding to the Coronavirus pandemic The Coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated existing educational inequalities worldwide. It is estimated that years of progress made in improving education access and quality will be lost, and action taken to limit the impact must also try to create a fairer education system going forward. As well as targeted funding and resources for minimising attainment losses […] Read more Topics: Education inequalities February 22, 2021
News End of Brexit transition period marks “period of significant disruption” for Welsh economy Businesses in some key sectors of the Welsh economy need increased support to operate beyond the Brexit transition period. A report from the Wales Centre for Public Policy concludes that businesses could face “a period of significant disruption” from 1 January, with longer term adjustments including investment in cross sector innovation and research and development […] Read more Topics: Economy December 17, 2020
Projects Tackling Inequalities Education attainment: Responding to the Coronavirus pandemic The Coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated existing educational inequalities worldwide. Modelling of the impact of school closures in England suggests that ten years’ worth of efforts to close the attainment gap may have been reversed by the recent closure of schools. Similarly, assessments of Year 7 pupils in England in September 2020 found that they were […] Read more Topics: Education inequalities December 15, 2020
Projects Tackling Inequalities Disabled Facilities Grants: Changing the means test The Minister for Housing and Local Government asked the Wales Centre for Public Policy to explore the implications of removing the means test for small and medium Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs). 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. […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion December 15, 2020
Reports Tackling Inequalities Male Suicide Data on the rates of suicide across the UK suggest that there is a gendered dimension to suicide. Male suicides accounted for around three quarters of the total in England and Wales in 2019. In light of this, and in the context of the Welsh Government’s wider suicide prevention work, the First Minister asked the […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities December 14, 2020
Projects Community Wellbeing Connecting Communities: Building Relationships The Wales Centre for Public Policy is partnering with Cardiff Council and Social Care Wales on a four-month National Institute for Health Research funded project to increase links between the council, public health, and academia. The project will explore the mechanisms, relationships and networks needed to support and fund high quality research engagement in Cardiff. […] Read more Topics: Local government Loneliness December 3, 2020
News Research and Impact WCPP joins £2m International Public Policy Observatory The Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) is part of a major new initiative that will bring together researchers and policy makers to tackle the impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic and accelerate the UK’s recovery. The International Public Policy Observatory (IPPO) is a collaboration between University College London, Cardiff University, Queen’s University Belfast, the University of […] Read more Research and Impact: Methods and approaches The role of KBOs December 3, 2020
Projects Remote working and the Welsh economy The Welsh economy is experiencing a profound and unprecedented shock as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. One of the consequences of lockdowns and public health restrictions has been requiring people to work from home where they are able to. UK data suggests that while just 5 per cent of workers worked from home prior […] Read more Topics: Economy Employment, work and skills December 2, 2020
Projects Community Wellbeing Alternative models of domiciliary care Domiciliary care or ‘homecare’ is social care provided in people’s homes and includes a range of support such as help with daily tasks, personal care and help with mobilising. Domiciliary care faces a number of longstanding challenges including funding, market fragility, demographic changes and workforce stability. The provision of high-quality homecare is central to realising […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities December 2, 2020
Projects Environment and Net Zero Towards a just transition in Wales There has been a resurgence of awareness, among both the public and policymakers, in tackling climate change since early 2019. In Wales, the Welsh Government’s declaration of a ‘climate emergency’ in April 2019 has indicated a renewed commitment to decarbonisation. Decarbonisation poses a range of challenges for governments, businesses and communities. Although there is widespread […] Read more Topics: Just transition Net zero December 2, 2020
Projects Tackling Inequalities Raising the age of participation in education or training to 18 in Wales In England, the compulsory age of participation in education or training was raised to 17 in 2013 and then 18 in 2015. In Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, the school leaving age is 16. The idea of raising the age of participation in education or training is gaining traction in the Scottish context, as well […] Read more Topics: Economy Employment, work and skills December 2, 2020
Projects Tackling Inequalities Poverty and social exclusion review The Welsh Government has consistently held addressing poverty and social exclusion as a primary policy objective and has initiated a variety of related schemes since devolution. These have included overarching strategies, such as the Welsh Child Poverty Strategy, to more specific policies and interventions across a range of poverty and social exclusion-related policy areas, such […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion December 2, 2020
Projects Community Wellbeing Post-Brexit migration and Wales The UK Government plans to end free movement of people to the UK from EU countries and the proposed Immigration Bill will have significant implications for Wales’ economy, society and population. The WCPP has been exploring the likely impacts of post-Brexit migration policies on Wales to identify a range of ways in which the Welsh […] Read more Topics: Economy Employment, work and skills December 2, 2020
Projects Brexit and the NHS workforce As part of the EU Transition Support Fund Grant received from the Welsh Government, the Welsh NHS Confederation commissioned the Wales Centre for Public Policy to analyse the likely effects on the health and social care workforce, which staff groups might be most affected, and the implications for the long-term workforce strategy for health and […] Read more Topics: Economy Employment, work and skills December 2, 2020
Projects The implications of the European transition for key economic sectors The European Union is the most economically valuable international trading partner for Wales and the UK, accounting for 43% and 52% of total UK exports and imports respectively in 2019. 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 […] Read more Topics: Economy December 2, 2020
Projects Community Wellbeing Loneliness in Wales Loneliness has a significant impact on public health and wellbeing, and has been a priority issue for Welsh Government and public services across Wales since before the Coronavirus pandemic. Addressing loneliness has relied on strategies and initiatives to increase the quality of people’s social contacts. Social distancing and shielding to slow the spread of the […] Read more Topics: Loneliness Poverty and social exclusion November 26, 2020
Reports Community Wellbeing Building back better? Priorities for Reconstruction after the Coronavirus Pandemic With effective vaccines for COVID-19 now a reality, thoughts are turning to the best ways to recover from the longer-term economic and societal shocks caused by the pandemic. We will be living with the fallout from the pandemic for some time, with major implications for our economy, education system, health and social care, and public […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government Loneliness November 23, 2020
Projects Tackling Inequalities Increasing diversity in public appointments In early 2020 the Welsh Government released ‘Reflecting Wales in Running Wales’ (Welsh Government, 2020), its strategy for increasing diversity in public appointments in Wales. The Deputy Minister and Chief Whip asked the Wales Centre for Public Policy to support the implementation of the strategy through two projects: A rapid evidence review of recruitment practices […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Local government November 10, 2020
Reports Tackling Inequalities Supporting underrepresented groups into public appointments Owing to the lack of diversity in board membership, many boards in Wales do not reflect the communities they serve. Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic candidates and disabled candidates are currently underrepresented on boards in Wales. In 2018-19, while 6% of the Welsh population is from an ethnic minority background, only 3% of appointees were; […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Employment, work and skills November 10, 2020
Reports Tackling Inequalities Increasing diversity in public appointments through recruitment This report has been prepared to support the Welsh Government’s Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for public appointments, with a focus on how recruitment strategies can be more inclusive. It addresses how ethnic minority and disabled candidates can be better supported to apply and be successful in public appointments. Increasing diversity in public appointments is important […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Local government November 10, 2020
Projects Community Wellbeing Optimising Outcomes from Procurement and Partnering for Covid-19 and Beyond: Lessons from the Crisis Procurement accounts for £100bn (47%) of local authority (LA) spending (IoG,2018). Leveraging these resources to the greatest social and economic effect is now crucial in promoting an agile crisis response, maintaining community resilience and helping local businesses stay afloat. Emergent literatures indicate that innovation to leverage procurement for additional positive-sum value is both necessary and […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities Local government November 6, 2020
Reports Community Wellbeing Environment and Net Zero Tackling Inequalities Our Future Wales consultation: Analysis of responses In May 2020, the Welsh Government invited the public to send their thoughts on the actions needed to support post-COVID-19 recovery and reconstruction. This report focuses on 685 of the 2,021 submissions to the consultation process received by the Welsh Government which we have analysed in detail. It does not include the more than 900 […] Read more Topics: Economy Energy Local government Loneliness September 30, 2020
Reports Community Wellbeing Domestic abuse interventions in Wales This report considers the interventions to address domestic abuse and keep people safe, placing these in the legislative context of the Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV) Act 2015. The Welsh Government asked the Wales Centre for Public Policy to revisit the evidence on interventions to keep people safe, specifically in terms […] Read more Topics: Loneliness Poverty and social exclusion September 23, 2020
Reports Developing leaders in the public sector The First Minister asked us to prepare an independent assessment of how Welsh public services are developing future leaders to be effective and to meet the needs of the people of Wales. A particular focus was whether future leaders had broad experience from across the public sector, as well as the skills and behaviours to […] Read more Topics: Local government September 14, 2020
Projects Tackling Inequalities Race equality rapid evidence review 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 (WCPP) to undertake evidence reviews to inform the development of the Action Plan across six key policy areas: […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Poverty and social exclusion September 9, 2020
Reports Community Wellbeing The implications of Brexit for household incomes In 2019, the Counsel General and Minister for European Transition asked the Wales Centre for Public Policy to analyse the implications of Brexit for household incomes and budgets in Wales. This would consider the likely outcome of the Brexit negotiations, identify at-risk groups and look to inform the Welsh Government’s responses to European transition. An […] Read more Topics: Economy August 5, 2020
Reports Environment and Net Zero Planning for a Prosperous, Equal and Green Recovery from the Coronavirus pandemic These papers address the key messages from a series of expert roundtables convened by the Welsh Government’s Counsel General and Minister for European Transition, Jeremy Miles MS. The issues which the papers highlight are important for the Welsh Government’s planning for economic and social recovery from the Coronavirus pandemic, but are also relevant to public […] Read more Topics: Economy Energy Net zero July 20, 2020
Reports Environment and Net Zero 20's the limit: How to encourage speed reductions The 20mph default speed limit on all residential roads in Wales is part of a suite of measures to promote ‘liveable’ communities. 20mph limits have been implemented in many places in the UK but never on a national scale. A substantial shift in driver behaviour will be needed for the limit to achieve its desired […] Read more Topics: Economy July 15, 2020
Projects Environment and Net Zero Local Institutions, Productivity, Sustainability and Inclusivity Trade-offs (LIPSIT) Local Institutions, Productivity, Sustainability and Inclusivity Trade-offs (LIPSIT) was an ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) funded collaborative project. The project explored the institutional and organisational arrangements at the regional level that lead to the ‘good’ management of policy trade-offs associated with increasing productivity, and made recommendations based on this. These trade-offs are between productivity growth, inclusivity and sustainability. They arise because authorities have limited resources and have to prioritise: policies […] Read more Topics: Economy Energy Net zero June 4, 2020
Projects Developing implementation across the What Works network Building on our work to increase the impact of the What Works network across the UK, the Wales Centre for Public Policy has 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 […] Read more Topics: Local government March 20, 2020
Reports Strengthening economic resilience In the face of economic uncertainty, policy makers are interested in how the economic resilience of economies might be strengthened. This report examines the evidence available to help inform policy debates in Wales. The Minister for Economy and Transport and the Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport asked the Wales Centre for Public Policy to […] Read more Topics: Economy March 20, 2020
Reports Tackling Inequalities Public engagement and 'A Healthier Wales' This report considers how commitments on public engagement set out in A Healthier Wales (AHW) might be translated into an evidence-informed programme of activity. Defining engagement is not easy; it can mean different things to different audiences and cover a wide spectrum of activities. However, at its core is the enabling of public involvement in […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities January 31, 2020
News Tackling Inequalities Devolving social security to Wales could be beneficial but would bring significant challenges Devolving the administration of social security to Wales could bring fiscal benefits and improve outcomes for claimants, but it would be a complex and time-consuming process and carry significant risks. A new report from the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) at Cardiff University brings together evidence about the potential advantages and risks. Drawing on […] Read more Topics: Local government Poverty and social exclusion January 14, 2020
Reports Tackling Inequalities Administering social security in Wales In Wales social security is currently reserved to the UK Government, with the exception of some benefits. Since the devolution of social security in Scotland (2018) there have been renewed calls to review the social security system in Wales. The First Minister asked us to assess the issues that would need to be taken into […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion January 14, 2020
Projects Strengthening the Economic Resilience of the Welsh Economy The concept of economic resilience has gained prominence in the decade since the financial crisis of 2008/09, raising interest as to why some economies appear more able to withstand economic shocks, or to recover more strongly, than others. This is particularly pertinent in the current climate of economic uncertainty. In 2019, the Minister for Economy […] Read more Topics: Economy November 13, 2019
Projects Public sector leadership development – existing provision and international approach The First Minister wants an independent assessment of how Welsh public services can ensure that leadership development for their staff equips current and future leaders to be effective. This is to ensure that future leaders have broad experience from across the public sector, as well as the skills and behaviours to respond to current and […] Read more Topics: Local government November 1, 2019
Projects Options for sustainable Welsh fisheries and fishing stocks management post-devolution The Welsh Government are preparing their approach to fisheries for if/when the UK leaves the European Union. They are particularly interested in future opportunities, including both quota and non-quota limits, to achieve their ‘fair share’ of allocation and to manage fish stocks for the benefit of coastal communities in Wales. This also sits in with […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government November 1, 2019
Projects Research and Impact The impact of the Wales Centre for Public Policy on policymakers views and use of evidence in Wales The Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) is a knowledge brokering organisation. Its primary aim is to enhance processes of public policy making, public service design and provision, by promoting a culture and mindset of evidence use. It works with academics and experts to provide Welsh Government and public services in Wales with high quality […] Read more Research and Impact: Impact November 1, 2019
Reports Environment and Net Zero Achieving a prosperous economy: insights from other nations and regions This report summarises the evidence from approaches that have improved economic performance in a selection of areas in the UK and Europe. Identifying areas comparable with Wales can be problematic, as it is neither possible nor practical to find exact matches in terms of economic histories or trajectories. Nonetheless, we believe that looking at other […] Read more Topics: Economy October 24, 2019
Reports Environment and Net Zero The Value of Trade Unions in Wales Trade unions are an integral part of the Welsh Government’s social partnership model, and more broadly an essential part of the economic and social landscape in Wales and across the world. The Wales TUC commissioned the Wales Centre for Public Policy to consider the evidence on the value of trade unions in Wales, and how […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government October 16, 2019
News Research and Impact Wales Centre for Public Policy acclaimed for outstanding impact on policy in Wales The Wales Centre for Public Policy, based at Cardiff University, has been acclaimed by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) through its annual Celebrating Impact prize scheme. The Centre was named as one of the two finalists in the category for Outstanding Public Policy Impact at a ceremony at the Royal Society in London […] Read more Research and Impact: Impact The role of KBOs July 16, 2019
News Tackling Inequalities Youth homelessness focus at Urdd Eisteddfod Early intervention is key to stopping young people from becoming homeless. Dr Connell will say that ongoing support must be provided at the earliest stage if Wales is serious about tackling the issue. His talk, at the Cardiff University tent at 11:00 on Saturday 1 June, references research by the Centre which responded to a […] Read more Topics: Housing and homes Poverty and social exclusion May 30, 2019
Reports Powers and Policy Levers - What works in delivering Welsh Government policies? This report presents the findings of research on the ways in which Welsh Ministers use the powers and policy levers available to them. We focus on two case studies: the 2014 statutory framework for homelessness services and the first attempt to introduce minimum unit alcohol pricing in Wales. These two contrasting examples show how policy […] Read more Topics: Local government May 17, 2019
News Research and Impact WCPP selected as a finalist for ESRC Celebrating Impact Prize We are delighted to announce that the Centre has been selected as a finalist for this year’s ESRC’s Celebrating Impact Prize in recognition of the way in which it has enabled Ministers to use evidence to inform policy decisions. The prestigious prize, now in its seventh year, celebrates ESRC-funded teams who have achieved outstanding economic […] Read more Research and Impact: Impact The role of KBOs May 8, 2019
Projects Welsh councils’ perceptions of austerity Drawing on interviews with Welsh council leaders, chief executives, finance directors, and external stakeholders, this study explores Welsh councils’ responses to austerity. We find that 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 […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government April 10, 2019
Projects Implications of UK migration policy on the Welsh economy after Brexit Building on our previous work looking into immigration policy after Brexit, this project focuses on the likely impact of UK Government migration policies on the Welsh economy. Specifically, we’re working with Professor Jonathan Portes from Kings College London to model the impacts of the recommendations from the 2018 Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) report and subsequent […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government April 10, 2019
News Tackling Inequalities 1.6% hit to Welsh economy from UK immigration plans says WCPP report The UK Government’s post-Brexit immigration plans will act as a drag on economic growth and productivity in Wales, a major new report from the Wales Centre for Public Policy says. Experts from King’s College, London and the University of Oxford have looked at the effects on Wales of immigration proposals in the recent Whitehall White […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Economy March 18, 2019
Projects Tackling Inequalities Public Engagement on Health and Social Care Transformation This project develops how the commitments to public engagement in the Welsh Government’s A Healthier Wales plan can be best realised in practice. The question we’re helping to answer is: what role does public engagement play in achieving the outcomes stated in the plan? Our approach involves a combination of evidence reviews and workshops. The evidence […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities March 6, 2019
News Tackling Inequalities New report sets out paths from debt as large council tax rises loom Early intervention is key to stop Welsh households falling behind on their council tax or social housing rent payments, according to a new report from the Wales Centre for Public Policy. As councils across Wales are seeking large increases in their council tax rates for the coming year, the report highlights the importance of building […] Read more Topics: Local government Poverty and social exclusion February 28, 2019
Reports Integrated Early Years Systems This report provides an overview of available international evidence on integrated early years systems. It analyses the early years systems in Belgium, Denmark, Estonia and the Netherlands and explores the means by which system change has been achieved. Most countries are in the process of creating their integrated early years system, with no one country […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration January 14, 2019
Reports Tackling Inequalities Promoting Teacher Engagement with Research Evidence The Centre was asked by the Cabinet Secretary for Education to review the evidence on how best to support teacher engagement with research. Working with colleagues at the Evidence for Policy and Practice Information and Co‑ordinating Centre (EPPI Centre) at University College London (UCL), we have: Reviewed and synthesised what is known about what works […] Read more Topics: Education inequalities November 14, 2018
News Tackling Inequalities Report says universities must play their part to improve Welsh society Welsh universities should expand their contribution to society by finding new ways of reaching out and connecting with the communities around them, according to a new report from the Wales Centre for Public Policy. Maximising universities’ civic contribution, written for the WCPP by Professors Ellen Hazelkorn and John Goddard, suggests that Welsh Ministers have a […] Read more Topics: Education inequalities November 13, 2018
Reports Tackling Inequalities Maximising Universities’ Civic Contribution This report understand universities’ civic mission as their commitment to bettering the local and regional communities of which they are part. A civic mission is an acknowledgement that universities have an obligation to act in this way, and civic engagement is the process by which this is achieved. Universities’ potential for civic engagement in Wales […] Read more Topics: Education inequalities November 13, 2018
Reports Legislating to Prohibit Parental Physical Punishment of Children This report explores what might be learnt from countries which have introduced legislation to prohibit parental physical punishment of children. Based on a review of the legislation of, and accompanying research on, relevant jurisdictions, it seeks to identify the factors to be considered when reform proposals are being developed. As of 1 May 2018, 53 […] Read more Topics: Local government Loneliness November 2, 2018
News Tackling Inequalities WCPP health expert discusses West Wales health changes Proposed changes to hospitals in west Wales by the Hywel Dda health board were up for discussion on this week's BBC Wales Live, featuring the WCPP's health expert Dr Paul Worthington. Paul shared his response to the proposals, which include removing round-the-clock emergency care from both Glangwili and Withybush hospitals, as well as outlining what […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities September 27, 2018
Reports Environment and Net Zero Increasing Household Waste Recycling with Behavioural Science To help understand how behavioural change interventions might help increase the household recycling rate further, WCPP hosted a workshop in May 2018. The workshop brought together some key stakeholders including Welsh Government policy officials, local authority waste management and environment directors, a leading supermarket chain, landlord associations, academics and behavioural change practitioners. The event also […] Read more Topics: Energy Housing and homes Net zero September 10, 2018
Projects How can policy commissions maximise their impact? In this short project, we examined the question ‘what makes a Welsh Government Commission effective?’ What impact can they have upon devolved policy making and public services? And in Westminster and Whitehall? Is it possible to distill critical success factors? The work was intended to inform the work of the Commission on the Future of […] Read more Topics: Local government August 21, 2018
Projects Tackling Inequalities Supporting improvement in health boards Trying to prevent or turnaround underperformance in health organisations is a challenging task, and much of the academic literature is focused on general and abstract discussions. This project synthesises expert academic and practitioner knowledge about what is effective, and under what conditions, in supporting health boards. Understanding how to intervene effectively is salient to both […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities August 21, 2018
Projects Tackling Inequalities Responding to citizens in debt to public services This project aimed to find out how public services and their contracted partners in Wales might better respond to vulnerable debtors, especially those subject to prosecution and prison. Our primary focus is on two forms of debt that Welsh public services have some control over – council tax debts, and rent arrears to government and […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion August 21, 2018
Projects Tackling Inequalities Maximising universities’ civic contribution This project explored potential policy options to encourage Welsh universities to prioritise and increase their civic contributions to Welsh communities overall social and economic wellbeing. The report, which can be viewed here, reviewed the approaches to civic missions internationally, as well as the implications for Wales in light of the domestic policy context. For more […] Read more Topics: Economy Education inequalities August 21, 2018
Projects Increasing the Impact of the What Works Network across the UK The Wales Centre for Public Policy has worked with What Works Scotland, Queen’s University Belfast, the Alliance for Useful Evidence and a range of What Works Centres to increase the impact of the What Works network across the UK, in an ESRC-funded project. The project involved running a series of summits for policymakers and public […] Read more Topics: Local government August 20, 2018
Reports Evidence for Good Charities are becoming increasingly sophisticated about how they gather evidence of impact, and there are many great guides and tools out there to help them do so. But there are other ways that the third sector can use evidence to increase its effectiveness and amplify its voice. In this report, published with the Alliance for Useful […] Read more Topics: Local government July 23, 2018
Reports Tackling Inequalities Parental Physical Punishment: Child Outcomes and Attitudes The former Cabinet Secretary for Children and Communities asked the PPIW to undertake a review of the evidence on children’s attitudes towards physical punishment, and the links between parental physical punishment and child outcomes. Children’s attitudes towards parental physical punishment vary but are generally negative. Children who have experienced physical punishment and younger children are […] Read more Topics: Loneliness July 19, 2018
Reports Tackling Inequalities Putting Equality at the Heart of Decision-making The Welsh Government has commissioned a review of gender equality policy and practice in Wales, with the intention of putting a gender perspective at the heart of policy and decision-making. For Phase One of the review, Chwarae Teg has considered how the Welsh Government currently addresses the promotion of gender equality. This report provides examples […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Poverty and social exclusion July 10, 2018
News Community Wellbeing Risks and opportunities for devolved taxes set out in new expert report There will be no simple way to increase income tax revenue using Wales’ new devolved tax powers, according to a new report by Cardiff University academics for the Wales Centre for Public Policy. ‘The Welsh Tax Base: Risks and Opportunities after Fiscal Devolution’, written for the WCPP by researchers at the Wales Governance Centre, highlights […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government July 2, 2018
Reports The Welsh Tax Base: Risks and Opportunities after Fiscal Devolution Under the new Fiscal Framework and devolution of some tax powers, from April 2019, the Welsh Government and local authorities will control nearly £5 billion of tax revenues, equivalent to roughly 30 per cent of their combined current spending. In this report we have worked with the Wales Governance Centre at Cardiff University to examine […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government July 2, 2018
Reports Community Wellbeing What Works in Tackling Rural Poverty: An Evidence Review of Economic Interventions The lack of economic opportunities, job insecurity and low wages are important causes of rural poverty in many parts of Wales. This report examines the effectiveness of approaches to strengthening rural economies drawing on evaluations of interventions in a range of OECD countries. It identifies four main approaches: large scale, area-wide strategic development programmes; loan […] Read more Topics: Economy Poverty and social exclusion June 25, 2018
News Research and Impact Blueprint for Welsh policy commissions supplied by new expert report A new report by the Wales Centre for Public Policy brings together evidence and expert perspectives to set out a best practice approach for future policy commissions. ‘Commissions and their role in public policy’ analyses how to get the foundations of a commission right, the different approaches to gathering evidence, and managing the politics to […] Read more Topics: Local government Research and Impact: Methods and approaches June 21, 2018
Reports Commissions and their Role in Public Policy The report analyses how to get the foundations of a commission right, the different approaches to gathering evidence, and managing the politics to ensure the best possible policy impact. It draws on both the insights of previous commission leaders, gathered in a private roundtable discussion, and relevant academic research. It was compiled to inform the current […] Read more Topics: Local government June 21, 2018
Reports Tackling Inequalities What Works in Tackling Rural Poverty: An Evidence Review of Interventions Focused on Housing A lack of affordable housing is a major contributor to rural poverty. Some communities in rural Wales have longstanding unmet housing needs, and housing is one of the five cross-departmental priorities set out in the Welsh Government’s national strategy. This report examines the effectiveness of thirteen initiatives that provide rural housing in a range of […] Read more Topics: Housing and homes Poverty and social exclusion June 20, 2018
News Tackling Inequalities Remove barriers to unlock potential of NHS schemes, says WCPP report Three national NHS programmes aimed at changing the relationship between patients and the health service will struggle to reach their potential without significant barriers being addressed, according to a new report by the Wales Centre for Public Policy. The report reviews three NHS behaviour change programmes: Making Every Contact Count; Choosing Wisely Wales; and Social […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities June 14, 2018
Projects 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. Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion June 13, 2018
Projects Evidence for Welsh Public Service Leaders on Public Procurement Mobilising the power of procurement is a growing area of interest. The Welsh public sector spends approximately £6 billion annually on goods, services and works, however it is widely believed that there is room for public services to achieve greater added value from this spend through strategic approaches to procurement. This has been a recurrent […] Read more Topics: Local government June 7, 2018
Reports Tackling Inequalities Behaviour change in the Welsh NHS: insights from three programmes Trying to change the way that the NHS operates can be usefully seen as an attempt to change the behaviours of the people within it. This report applies insights from behavioural science to analyse three national programmes in Wales seeking to do this: Making Every Contact Count; Choosing Wisely Wales; and Social Prescribing. All three […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities June 6, 2018
News Research and Impact WCPP clinches Impact on Policy Award The work of the predecessor to the Wales Centre for Public Policy in championing collaboration between academics and the Welsh Government has been awarded a Cardiff University innovation award. The partnership between what was the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) and the Welsh Government has won the Impact on Policy Award at Cardiff University’s […] Read more Research and Impact: Impact The role of KBOs June 1, 2018
News Tackling Inequalities WCPP gives future of work evidence at Senedd Mair Bell, the Centre's Senior Research Officer, has given evidence to the National Assembly Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee's 'Future of skills' inquiry. Appearing as part of a panel of experts and practitioners, Mair drew on the findings of our Future of Work in Wales project to answer questions on the changing world of work and […] Read more May 18, 2018
Projects Tackling Inequalities Gender Equality in Wales Ministers have asked the Wales Centre for Public Policy to conduct three pieces of work that provide independent evidence and expertise to inform the Gender Equality Review (GER), commissioned by the then First Minister in 2018: An international review of gender equality policies and practices; An expert workshop to explore what Wales can learn about […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion May 11, 2018
Projects Improving Impact Assessments The cynic’s caricature of impact assessments is that they are post hoc rationalisations of policy decisions that have already been made. But where they are used effectively, they can help to inform and shape policy, and to support effective scrutiny of the decisions made in that process. We were asked by the First Minister to […] Read more Topics: Local government April 26, 2018
Projects Tackling Inequalities Improving Health and Employment Outcomes Whilst unemployment is currently low in Wales relative to past decades, economic inactivity due to ill health remains high. In recognition of this, the Welsh Government is keen to support people to stay in and return to work. Evidence suggests that the most effective way to do this is to provide support that integrates health […] Read more Topics: Economy Health inequalities April 26, 2018
Projects Determining the Tax Base in Wales WCPP was asked by the Chief Economist and Treasury officials in the Welsh Government, on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, to undertake a high-level review of the strength of the Welsh tax base. The review analysed the scale and the sustainability of the tax base supporting the major devolved revenue-raising […] Read more Topics: Economy April 26, 2018
Projects Improving Cross-cutting Government Working The Welsh Government’s national strategy “Prosperity for All” seeks to “drive integration and collaboration across the Welsh Public Sector”, and First Minister Carwyn Jones has emphasised that the strategy’s commitments should be delivered in a “smarter, more joined up way that cuts across traditional boundaries.” The challenge to improve coordination across policy areas and public […] Read more Topics: Local government April 26, 2018
Projects Environment and Net Zero Future of Work in Wales In his speech to the 2016 Labour Party conference the First Minister of Wales, Rt Hon Carwyn Jones, called for a “deep and thorough investigation into the changing nature of work”. To prepare the ground for this, we were asked to review the existing evidence base to explore what is known and is not yet […] Read more Topics: Employment, work and skills April 26, 2018
Projects Environment and Net Zero Approaches to Enabling Job Progression in Key Foundational Sectors Foundation sectors of the economy provide the essential goods and services for everyday life, such as utilities, food processing, retail and distribution, health, education, welfare, social care, and infrastructure provision. While we rely on the services they produce, it is often difficult for people working in these sectors to improve their incomes and quality of […] Read more Topics: Employment, work and skills April 26, 2018
Projects Tackling Inequalities Youth Homelessness Prevention Pathways Tackling homelessness, and reducing the risk of homelessness for young people in particular, is a priority for the Welsh Government. At the launch of the End Youth Homelessness Cymru (EYHC) coalition in 2017, the First Minister announced that he would ask us to research the causes and effective prevention of youth homelessness. We are undertaking […] Read more Topics: Housing and homes April 26, 2018
Reports Tackling Inequalities Improving Health and Employment Outcomes Whilst unemployment is currently low in Wales relative to past decades, economic inactivity due to ill health remains high, and our latest report provides evidence as to how this can be addressed focussing on partnership structures and processes. The most common forms of poor health that impact on an individual’s ability to stay in work, […] Read more Topics: Employment, work and skills Health inequalities February 28, 2018
Projects Environment and Net Zero Brexit and Wales - Land and Sea This project explores the potential implications of Brexit on fisheries, agriculture, and rural areas in Wales. Read more Topics: Local government February 13, 2018
Reports Sub-national Government Involvement in International Trade Negotiations This report sets out the findings from a rapid evidence review of sub-national government involvement in international trade negotiations. The UK Government’s trade negotiations with the EU will have important implications for Wales. It is however unclear whether, and how, the Welsh Government and Welsh Assembly will secure a meaningful voice in the discussions. Sub-national […] Read more Topics: Economy February 2, 2018
Reports Tackling Inequalities Inclusive Growth in Wales Wales has the potential to lead the way in developing a more inclusive economy. Experts at a round table discussion in July 2017 provided evidence of current inequalities in growth across the UK, as well as exploring how Wales could develop a more inclusive model. There was recognition of the limits the Welsh Government’s powers […] Read more Topics: Employment, work and skills Poverty and social exclusion December 18, 2017
News Future of Work in Wales The greater use of artificial intelligence and robotics is set to dramatically alter the kinds of jobs available in Wales within the next 20 years. The Future of Work in Wales report suggests that new technology may improve productivity and release workers from repetitive or hazardous tasks but could also see large numbers of existing […] Read more Topics: Economy November 1, 2017
Reports Tackling Inequalities Supporting Career Progression in Growth Sectors As part of our programme of research and knowledge exchange on ‘What Works in Tackling Poverty’, the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) commissioned an in-depth study of the potential for growth sectors to reduce poverty. The research, which is led by Professor Anne Green, is analysing statistical data and drawing on an extensive review […] Read more Topics: Employment, work and skills Poverty and social exclusion October 25, 2017
Reports Regional Cooperation and Shared Services – Reflections from ‘Wales Down Under’ This report from the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) reviews the existing evidence on shared services. Alongside that report, we commissioned Professor Graham Sansom (University of Technology Sydney) to summarise experiences of regional collaboration in Australia. Like Wales, Australia has experienced intense debates about the ‘right’ approach to structural reform of local government. Professor Sansom’s […] Read more Topics: Local government September 13, 2017
Reports Considerations for Designing and Implementing Effective Shared Services This report from the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) brings together existing evidence on shared services in local government. In particular, it outlines why councils choose to share services, what makes shared service arrangements successful, and how central governments can enable and support this. Shared services involve the consolidation and standardisation of common tasks […] Read more Topics: Local government September 5, 2017
Reports Environment and Net Zero Participatory Budgeting The Welsh Government is exploring the role Participatory Budgeting (PB) could play in the Welsh Government budget. To help inform this work, this report by the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) provides evidence on the different types of PB, how they have been used, and the key considerations for designing a PB process. The […] Read more Topics: Economy Energy Local government Net zero August 23, 2017
Reports Environment and Net Zero Time for a Full Public Bank in Wales? This report from the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) brings together evidence on the effectiveness and viability of a full public bank in Wales. Debates surrounding this issue have been taking place between political parties in Wales for some time. The report examines what is meant by the term ‘public bank’, how such banks can be […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government August 7, 2017
Reports Tackling Inequalities Tackling Exploitation in Low-waged Work This report explores how to tackle exploitation in low-waged work. Achieving the well-being goal of decent work in Wales requires a post-Brexit framework of employment law that accords with the international treaties and human rights conventions that establish minimum labour standards globally. In several key areas, including labour standards inspections and trade union freedoms, UK […] Read more Topics: Employment, work and skills Poverty and social exclusion August 3, 2017
Reports Tackling Inequalities The Development and Implementation of Part 2 of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014: Lessons for Policy and Practice in Wales Two research outputs from the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) highlight important themes for the study and understanding of policy making and implementation in Wales and beyond. How Can Subnational Governments Deliver Their Policy Objectives in the Age of Austerity? Reshaping Homelessness Policy in Wales, published in The Political Quarterly and available online as an Early […] Read more Topics: Housing and homes July 10, 2017
Reports Immigration Policy after Brexit This report sets out the likely options being considered by the UK Government in their development of a new immigration policy after the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, and what the implications and risks of these approaches might be for Wales’ economy and public services, taking into account current patterns of migration in the Welsh […] Read more Topics: Local government May 19, 2017
Reports Environment and Net Zero Employment Entry in Growth Sectors This report, published by the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW), finds that there is potential for using a well-targeted, sector-focused approach to increase employment entry and help reduce poverty. Funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and written by Professor Anne Green, Dr Paul Sissons, and Dr Neil Lee, the report finds that […] Read more Topics: Economy Employment, work and skills April 7, 2017
Reports Environment and Net Zero Improving Job Quality in Growth Sectors This report, published by the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW), explores ways of improving job quality. The study, written by Professor Anne Green, Dr Paul Sissons, and Dr Neil Lee, found that while job quality should be a critical issue for policymakers there is a lack of empirical evidence from approaches seeking to enhance […] Read more Topics: Economy Employment, work and skills April 5, 2017
Reports Tackling Inequalities Harnessing Growth Sectors for Poverty Reduction This report considers how growth sectors can reduce poverty by providing high quality jobs and opportunities for career progression. Based on research funded by the ESRC and undertaken by Professor Anne Green, Dr Paul Sissons and Dr Neil Lee, the report finds that some growth sectors – such as accommodation and food services, residential care, […] Read more Topics: Employment, work and skills Poverty and social exclusion February 26, 2017
Reports Tackling Inequalities Growth Sectors: Data Analysis on Employment Change, Wages and Poverty This report funded by the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) and ESRC demonstrates that the sector which an individual works in has a significant impact on their income but that the level of local demand for labour is also important. The research undertaken by Professor Anne Green, Dr Paul Sissons and Dr Neil Lee […] Read more Topics: Employment, work and skills Poverty and social exclusion February 16, 2017
Reports Environment and Net Zero Not-for-Dividend (NFD) Rail Service Provision The Welsh Government is in the process of procuring the next Wales and Borders rail franchise ahead of the end of the current franchise (2018) held by Arriva Trains Wales. It has a long-standing aspiration to create a service run on a not-for-dividend basis. Underlying this is a desire to increase value for money and […] Read more Topics: Economy February 9, 2017
Reports Evidence Summary on EU Migration in Wales The First Minister asked the Public Policy Institute for Wales to provide analytical support to the European Advisory Group (EAG). The Institute’s work complemented analyses conducted by Welsh Government officials and others. This report draws together existing evidence on four issues: the scale of EU migration to Wales; EU migration from Wales; the demographics and […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government November 19, 2016
Reports Improving Public Services The Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) brought together an invited group of leading public management experts and Welsh Government officials to explore the existing evidence about public service improvement and identify future evidence needs to support incoming Ministers. Workshop participants included senior academics and representatives from Y Lab, the Early Intervention Foundation, What Works […] Read more Topics: Local government November 14, 2016
Reports Tackling Inequalities Alternatives Approaches to Reducing Poverty and Inequality As part of our work exploring what works in tackling poverty, the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) held a workshop to explore alternative approaches to poverty reduction. The workshop highlighted weaknesses in current approaches to measuring poverty and concluded that there could be value in examining if the Welsh Median Income measure (alongside other […] Read more Topics: Employment, work and skills Poverty and social exclusion November 2, 2016
Reports Tackling Inequalities Efficiency and the NHS Wales Funding Gap In Spring 2016, working with Wales Public Services 2025, the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) ran a series of facilitated workshops exploring how further ‘technical’ efficiency could help close the projected long-term NHS ‘funding gap’ in Wales. This was linked to new modelling work by the Health Foundation on NHS Wales fiscal sustainability and […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities October 17, 2016
Reports Environment and Net Zero Improving the Economic Performance of Wales: Existing Evidence and Evidence Needs In April 2016 the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) brought together leading experts and policy makers to consider what works in improving the performance of an economy such as Wales. We also held one-to-one discussions with experts to identify and explore the main issues in more detail. The resulting report describes what is known […] Read more Topics: Economy October 6, 2016
Reports Tackling Inequalities New Directions in Employment Policy In July 2016 the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) brought together policy makers and practitioners for a workshop to explore new directions in employment policy. Professor Anne Green from Warwick University presented the interim findings of her study of the role of growth sectors in helping to reduce poverty. The key messages from the […] Read more Topics: Employment, work and skills September 22, 2016
Reports Tackling Inequalities Asymmetric School Weeks An asymmetric school week includes a combination of longer and shorter days with coordinated pupil free time. The most common structure is four longer days and a short half day. This does not necessarily result in a change in the total hours of instructional time. The Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) brought together a […] Read more Topics: Education inequalities September 12, 2016
Reports Tackling Inequalities Evidence Needs and the Welsh Education System In February 2016 the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) brought together education experts and policy-makers to identify and explore the evidence needs of the education system in Wales over the coming five years. The resulting report provides a summary of the key points that emerged from the workshop. Experts highlighted a need to improve […] Read more Topics: Education inequalities Employment, work and skills September 5, 2016
Reports Tackling Inequalities Breaking the Cycle: What Works in Reducing Intergenerational Worklessness and Fragile Employment The Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) worked with experts from the Institute for Employment Research at University of Warwick to review the effectiveness of policies to tackle intergenerational worklessness and fragile employment. Its research suggests that intergenerational worklessness (defined as households in which three generations have not been employed) is unlikely to be widespread […] Read more Topics: Employment, work and skills July 12, 2016
Reports Environment and Net Zero Driving Public Service Transformation and Innovation through the Invest to Save Fund This report by the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) provides advice on how the Welsh Government could use its Invest to Save Fund more strategically to drive transformation and innovation across public services. To address this, we undertook in-house research and convened an expert workshop, bringing together experts in public service innovation, and representatives […] Read more Topics: Local government July 1, 2016
Reports Environment and Net Zero Food Policy as Public Policy The former Minister for Natural Resources and the former Deputy Minister for Farming and Food asked the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) to provide advice on whether the Welsh Government’s Food Strategy was sufficiently comprehensive and up to date. The PPIW worked with two of the UK’s leading experts on food policy – Professor […] Read more Topics: Economy June 27, 2016
Reports Tackling Inequalities Increasing the Role of Social Business Models in the Health and Social Care in Wales This report by the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) reviews the evidence on ways of increasing the role which Social Business Models (SBMs) can play in the provision of health and social care. We worked with experts from Birmingham University to review evidence from other parts of the UK and Europe. Our report concludes […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities June 8, 2016
Reports Community Wellbeing De-escalating Interventions for Troubled Adolescents This report by the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) provides advice on the potential to de-escalate interventions in the lives of troubled adolescents. To address this we reviewed research and evidence from youth justice, mental health services and social services, gathered through a workshop and one-to-one discussions with researchers and practitioners with expertise in […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Loneliness Poverty and social exclusion May 27, 2016
Reports Tackling Inequalities Increasing the Use of School Facilities The Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) worked with Professor Alan Dyson and Dr Kirstin Kerr (University of Manchester) to analyse the international evidence about the potential for using school facilities outside school hours and term times, and with Ian Bottrill (Learning for Leadership Cymru) and Pam Boyd (ShawBoyd Associates) to review existing good practice in […] Read more Topics: Education inequalities April 4, 2016
Reports Improving Impact Assessments The First Minister asked the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) to provide advice on improving the Welsh Government’s Impact Assessment (IA) processes. IAs were highlighted by officials as being in need of improvement as part of the Permanent Secretary’s ‘Reducing Complexity’ Programme. Internal work made progress, but pointed to deeper issues that needed to […] Read more Topics: Local government April 1, 2016
Reports Community Wellbeing Promoting Emotional Health, Well-being and Resilience in Primary Schools The Minister for Education and Skills asked the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) to provide expert advice on ‘what works’ in building the emotional resilience of children in primary schools in Wales and what the Welsh Government might do to support this. The PPIW worked with Professor Robin Banerjee and Professor Colleen McLaughlin from […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Loneliness February 29, 2016
Reports Tackling Inequalities Childcare Policy Options for Wales The First Minister asked the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) for independent advice on the development of options for extending support for childcare in Wales; and, in particular, the potential impact of extending the Welsh Government’s provision of free childcare for three to four year olds. The PPIW worked with Dr Gillian Paull (Frontier […] Read more Topics: Education inequalities February 24, 2016
Reports Tackling Inequalities Increasing Understanding and Uptake of Advance Decisions to Refuse Treatment in Wales The Minister for Health and Social Services asked the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) to provide independent advice on how to increase the understanding and uptake of Advance Decisions in Wales. The PPIW has worked closely with Professor Jenny Kitzinger (Cardiff University) and Professor Celia Kitzinger (University of York) to examine the literature and […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities Lived experience February 7, 2016
Reports Maximising the Economic Benefits of the Welsh Government’s Investment in Cardiff and St. Athan Airports This report by the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) examines the ways to maximise the economic impact of the Welsh Governments investment in Cardiff and St Athan airports. Importantly this request was to explore how to maximise the economic impact outside of the airports and not simply focus on the airports themselves. We worked […] Read more Topics: Economy February 1, 2016
Reports Tackling Inequalities Effective Pupil Support in Secondary Schools This report from the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) delivers advice on the best ways to provide effective pupil support in secondary schools. In response to this request, we held an expert workshop in November 2015 attended by academics, practitioners, Welsh Government officials from a range of departments and the Minister for Education and […] Read more Topics: Education inequalities January 26, 2016
Reports Tackling Inequalities Fostering High Quality Vocational Further Education in Wales This report from the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) provides expert advice on what constitutes quality in Further Education (FE). We worked with Professor David James from Cardiff University and Professor Lorna Unwin OBE of University College London to undertake an evidence review on this topic. In order to provide the most relevant recommendations […] Read more Topics: Education inequalities Employment, work and skills January 13, 2016
Reports Tackling Inequalities Re-thinking the Work Programme in Wales This report from the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) provides independent advice on how the Work Programme (WP) might be operated differently in Wales in the future. We worked closely with Dave Simmonds (Chief Executive of the Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion) to examine the literature and evidence in this area and provided recommendations […] Read more Topics: Employment, work and skills Just transition January 11, 2016
Reports Community Wellbeing Coping with the Cuts: Lessons from English Councils’ Responses to Budget Reductions This report by the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) analyses the impact of reductions in central government funding for councils in England and to identify potential lessons for Welsh local government. This report provides an overview of the impact of budget reductions in England and a thematic analysis of the strategies used by councils […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government December 10, 2015
Reports Tackling Inequalities The Potential Role of the Private Rented Sector in Wales This report by the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) analyses the growth in the private rented sector (PRS) over the last decade. The shift towards private renting is the largest structural change in the Welsh housing market for at least two generations. Between 2001 and 2013, the private rented sector more than doubled in […] Read more Topics: Economy Housing and homes November 9, 2015
Reports Tackling Inequalities The Care Home Market in Wales: Mapping the Sector This report by the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) provides advice on the resilience of the Care Home Sector in Wales. We worked with the Institute of Public Care (IPC) to analyse current provision using statistical data and telephone interviews with experts. Their report finds considerable variations across Wales with some councils managing care […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities Housing and homes November 4, 2015
Reports Tackling Inequalities Provision for Young Care Leavers at Risk of Homelessness Following a request from the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) commissioned Anna Whalen to provide advice and analysis on the provision for young care leavers who are at risk of becoming homeless in Wales. The report identifies that the effectiveness of joint working between Housing and Children’s […] Read more Topics: Housing and homes Poverty and social exclusion November 2, 2015
Reports Community Wellbeing Research and Impact Measuring Progress on Well-being: The Development of National Indicators This report from the Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) provides advice to the Welsh Government on the development of a set of National Indicators to measure progress towards the future well-being of Wales. The National Indicators are a key part of the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. The overarching aim of the Act […] Read more Research and Impact: Impact October 19, 2015
Reports Tackling Inequalities Evaluating the Contribution the Supporting People Programme makes to Preventing and Tackling Homelessness This report by the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) considers how the contribution the Supporting People programme makes to preventing and tackling homelessness might be evaluated. Drawing on previous evaluations of the Supporting People programme and prevention of homelessness in Wales and beyond, as well as discussions with key informants, the report sets out […] Read more Topics: Housing and homes Poverty and social exclusion October 12, 2015
Reports Tackling Inequalities Future Need and Demand for Housing in Wales Following a request from the Welsh Government, the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) commissioned the late Alan Holmans to formulate a new estimate of the need and demand for housing in Wales over the period 2011 to 2031. This report presents the findings of this work. Two estimates are presented – one based on […] Read more Topics: Housing and homes October 9, 2015
Reports Research and Impact Connection, Coherence and Capacity: Policy Making in Smaller Countries The William Plowden Fellowship supports short research projects looking at issues of governance and public policy. Under its auspices, Tamlyn Rabey, a civil servant at the Welsh Government, has undertaken a study of policy making in smaller countries. The study found that there are significant advantages in relation to policy making from working at the […] Read more Topics: Local government Research and Impact: Methods and approaches October 6, 2015
Reports Tackling Inequalities Quantifying the Benefits of Early Intervention in Wales PROJECT STAFF: Leon Feinstein (Early Intervention Foundation) This report by the Public Policy Institute For Wales (PPIW) quantifies the benefits of early intervention programmes in Wales; and, in particular, Flying Start and Families First. The resulting report outlines how Wales provides a model of what can be achieved by a devolved administration, which English regions […] Read more Topics: Education inequalities September 29, 2015
Reports Tackling Inequalities Meeting the Housing Needs of an Ageing Population This report by the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) presents a series of recommendations on the challenges that population ageing poses for housing needs in Wales and what the Welsh Government might do to meet them. The report follows a Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) evidence review on the current state of older […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities Housing and homes September 28, 2015
Reports Research and Impact Comparing Council Performance: The Feasibility of Cross-National Comparisons within the UK For this report the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) commissioned experts at the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) to assess the feasibility of comparing the performance of Welsh, English and Scottish Councils. Their report identifies a series of indicators that provide a basis for reliable comparisons of expenditure and performance at […] Read more Topics: Local government Research and Impact: Methods and approaches September 10, 2015
Reports Tackling Inequalities The Role of CPD in Closing the Attainment Gap Following a request from the Minister for Education and Skills, the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) commissioned leading expert Professor Chris Day to undertake a detailed study of the role of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) in closing the gap in educational attainment. The report states that whilst CPD is important in addressing the attainment […] Read more Topics: Education inequalities Employment, work and skills September 4, 2015
Reports Tackling Inequalities The Impact of Welfare Reforms on Housing Policy in Wales: A Rapid Evidence Review This report reviews the existing evidence of the impact of welfare reforms on housing policy in Wales. There have been several studies of the impact of welfare reforms across the UK as a whole and in Wales. These suggest that the changes will hit the most deprived communities and most vulnerable groups hardest, potentially leading […] Read more Topics: Housing and homes Poverty and social exclusion August 12, 2015
Reports Tackling Inequalities International Experience of Conditional Entitlement to Healthcare The Welsh NHS is facing unprecedented financial pressures and difficult decisions have to be made about how to allocate and use healthcare resources. The aim of this evidence review was to explore whether there are lessons that might be learnt from other countries about how access to healthcare and entitlement can be made conditional in […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities August 5, 2015
Reports Community Wellbeing High Performing Councils Think-piece This report, written by Dr Barry Quirk, examines what makes for a good council. Dr Quirk is one of the UK’s most experienced and successful chief executives. He argues that councils need to adopt new approaches and mindsets to cope with the double whammy of spending cuts and increasing public expectations and that high performing […] Read more Topics: Local government July 17, 2015
Reports Tackling Inequalities International Experience of Prioritisation of Elective Surgery Given the unprecedented financial pressures on the National Health Service in Wales, difficult decisions have to be made about how to allocate and use resources. The objectives of this research were to review international experience of approaches to prioritising elective surgery and draw out key issues and useful approaches that may be relevant for implementation […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities June 6, 2015
Reports Governing for Success: Reviewing the Evidence on Enterprise Zones Enterprise Zones have proved to be an enduring feature of local economic development policy in the United Kingdom. Evidence on the achievements of previous zone policy suggests that it can provide a significant boost to the process of regeneration in local areas. It does this by increasing confidence, enhancing the rate of economic return and […] Read more Topics: Economy February 24, 2015
Reports Tackling Inequalities Tackling Homelessness: A Rapid Evidence Review The Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) was asked to advise on what more the Welsh Government might do to tackle homelessness. We conducted a rapid evidence review to understand the current state of the evidence on homelessness better, both specific to Wales and further afield, and identify where further research might be needed. In […] Read more Topics: Housing and homes Poverty and social exclusion February 2, 2015
Reports Research and Impact A Shared Responsibility: Maximising Learning from the Invest to Save Fund This report from the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) concludes that councils, health boards and Welsh Government can work together more closely and need to do more to learn from each other about ways of improving frontline services. The report, A Shared Responsibility, has been written by local government expert Professor James Downe. It […] Read more Topics: Economy Research and Impact: Impact November 24, 2014
Reports Environment and Net Zero Regulation and Financing of Bus Services in Wales This report by the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) suggests that a significant element of government subsidy is being captured as profit by the bus industry in Wales. Modelling by leading transport academic, Professor John Preston, indicates that bus companies in Wales could be making as much as £22 million more than a normal […] Read more Topics: Economy Just transition November 12, 2014
Reports Environment and Net Zero Moving Forwards: Improving Strategic Transport Planning in Wales This report, from the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW), considers what the Welsh Government might learn from the theory and practice of strategic transport planning internationally. The focus is on four key questions: What are the key issues that need to be taken into account in order to provide effective strategic transport planning? Are […] Read more Topics: Just transition Local government November 1, 2014
Reports How Should the Welsh Government Decide where to Locate its Overseas Offices? Making sure Wales has the right web presence and creating roving teams to promote benefits of locating in Wales are just two recommendations from reports produced by the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW). Led by Professor Max Munday, an expert in inward investment based at Cardiff University’s Business School, the research found that Wales […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government October 29, 2014
Reports Tackling Inequalities Indebtedness, Low Income and Financial Exclusion in Wales As part of its first work programme, The Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) was asked to look at the impact of debt on deprived communities and households. The PPIW commissioned Dr Victoria Winckler, Director of the Bevan Foundation, to review the evidence on this; and specifically to see what is known about: how many […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion June 13, 2014
Reports Community Wellbeing Performance Management and Public Service Improvement This report has been prepared for the Commission on Public Service Governance and Delivery. It draws together research from around the world to address four questions that are directly relevant to the Commission’s work: what is performance management; does performance management lead to improvement in public services; what kinds of performance management are most effective; […] Read more Topics: Local government January 13, 2014
Reports Community Wellbeing Collaboration and Public Services Improvement Governments across the world have adopted collaborative approaches to managing public services in a bid to tackle wicked issues, improve services and contain costs. Collaboration has particular prominence in Wales where it has been at the heart of the Welsh Government’s overarching framework for public service reform. Some question, however: if it is right to […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government January 8, 2014
Reports Community Wellbeing Achieving Accountability in Public Services This report has been prepared for the Commission on Public Service Governance and Delivery. It draws together recent debates and research evidence to address questions that are directly relevant to the Commission’s work: (1) How to improve the accountability of public service partnerships? (2) How to improve the effectiveness of regulatory accountability? (3) How to […] Read more Topics: Local government January 6, 2014
