Reports Environment and Net Zero Domestic Retrofit: Driving Green Growth and Social Equity Domestic retrofitting - the upgrading of existing homes to improve energy efficiency, cut carbon emissions, and enhance comfort, health, and resilience - plays a critical role in supporting Wales’ pathway to net zero by 2050. It also offers an opportunity to reshape how the economy functions and deliver wider benefits, such as improving housing quality, […] Read more Topics: Employment, work and skills Net zero February 2, 2026
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Exploring how evidence can help address the temporary accommodation crisis We have launched an open call, inviting local authorities to submit expressions of interest for evidence support from the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) and/or from our fellow What Works Centre, the Centre for Homelessness Impact. Click here to submit your application. The housing and homelessness crisis Policy makers across Wales have repeatedly highlighted the deepening […] Read more Topics: Housing and homes January 19, 2026
Reports Community Wellbeing Environment and Net Zero Tackling Inequalities Success factors for contracting and awarding bus franchising in Wales Evidence on key success factors in contracting and awarding bus franchises to inform the secondary legislation of the Welsh Government's Bus Bill. Read more Topics: Net zero Transport November 5, 2025
Projects Community Wellbeing Measuring the impact of integrated prevention and early intervention The health and social care sector in Wales is facing complex challenges, including workforce pressures, hospitals reaching capacity, and increased long-term health issues and inequalities. It is within this complex landscape that the Welsh Government has announced its ambition to establish an Integrated Community Care System (ICCS), providing Regional Partnership Boards (RPBs) with a comprehensive […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Health inequalities October 1, 2025
News Tackling Inequalities Research and Impact Benefits and challenges of lived experience in knowledge mobilisation Involving experts-by-experience in knowledge mobilisation can help to enhance impact on policy and practice, and support equality, diversity and inclusion. But it also creates risks and challenges that need to be considered and addressed. These are some of the takeaways from an 18-month UKRI-funded Fellowship embedded at WCPP to support What Works Centres and other […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Research and Impact: Methods and approaches The role of KBOs September 30, 2025
Reports Tackling Inequalities Research and Impact Involving experts-by-experience in knowledge mobilisation WCPP Policy Fellowship finds benefits - and risks - of involving experts-by-experience in knowledge mobilisation. Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Research and Impact: Methods and approaches The role of KBOs September 25, 2025
Reports Environment and Net Zero Policy options for voluntary carbon markets in Wales Voluntary carbon markets (VCMs) allow governments and non-state actors to purchase voluntary carbon units to offset emissions while financing mitigation activities and nature-based solutions. They are increasingly seen as tools to support climate goals, restore ecosystems, and deliver wider sustainable development benefits. At the same time, they raise challenges around integrity, permanence, and additionality. The […] Read more Topics: Net zero September 22, 2025
Projects Environment and Net Zero Domestic retrofit: Driving green growth and social equity The transition to net zero presents a critical opportunity to reconsider the way in which our economy operates, especially in the context of stagnating productivity and economic growth in recent years. This project will focus on the housing sector and will explore the evidence for investment in retrofit being a mechanism through which wider benefits […] Read more Topics: Economy Net zero August 8, 2025
News Community Wellbeing Website launched to help make a change for RCT residents Rhondda Cynon Taf Health Determinants Research Collaboration (RCT HDRC), which is co-led by the Council and the Wales Centre for Public Policy and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), is inviting everyone who, lives, studies, works or plays in the County Borough to be part of making a change to […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Housing and homes July 31, 2025
News Community Wellbeing Search for partner to produce community collaboration tool/resource We are commissioning the development of a tool, resource or process, that supports public and community sector actors to take evidence-informed-actions to strengthen multisectoral collaborations that improve community wellbeing. In the next phase of our work on Community Wellbeing and as part of the Resourceful Communities Partnership (RCP), we are seeking to commission a partner […] Read more Topics: Loneliness July 31, 2025
Projects Tackling Inequalities Addressing poverty stigma in Swansea We are working with Swansea Council along with public sector practitioners, academics, experts by experience and community groups to develop local, evidence-based solutions to tackling poverty stigma in the area. Poverty stigma amplifies the effects of material hardship and makes it harder for people to escape poverty. Our policy briefing demonstrates that poverty stigma is […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Education inequalities Health inequalities Poverty and social exclusion July 30, 2025
Projects Environment and Net Zero Tackling Inequalities Success factors for contracting and awarding bus franchising in Wales In March 2025 the Welsh Government introduced a Bus Bill for Wales to give the public sector greater control over bus services, aiming to create a fully integrated, low-carbon, passenger-focused bus network as part of its wider One Network, One Timetable, One Ticket vision for public transport in Wales. Subject to Senedd approval, the legislation […] Read more Topics: Net zero Transport July 30, 2025
Projects Tackling Inequalities Poverty Stigma Insight Network The Poverty Stigma Insight Network was established by WCPP in 2024 as is a UK-wide network of individuals and organisations who have the shared aim of seeking to better understand, prevent and address poverty stigma. Members include lived experience experts, policy makers, practitioners, researchers and academics. The Network is one strand of WCPP’s broader programme […] Read more Topics: Lived experience Local government Poverty and social exclusion January 10, 2025
Blog Posts Environment and Net Zero Overcoming the challenges of financing retrofit in the UK: A pathway to net zero Wales and the UK face a significant challenge in ramping up retrofit delivery to meet net zero, fuel poverty and health goals. Currently, across the UK, we retrofit around 250,000 homes per year, but to meet our targets, we need to increase this to 1.5 million homes annually by 2035. This sixfold increase is critical […] Read more Topics: Economy Energy Net zero December 12, 2024
Reports Tackling Inequalities Maximising the benefits of universal primary free school meals The Welsh Government committed to rolling out universal primary free school meals (UPFSM) to all primary-aged pupils in Wales, initially as part of its Co-operation Agreement with Plaid Cymru. To support the rollout of this policy, WCPP were asked to undertake research looking at: We undertook a data collection exercise over the spring and summer […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Education inequalities Health inequalities Poverty and social exclusion December 5, 2024
Reports Community Wellbeing Environment and Net Zero Exploring the role of multisector collaboration in Welsh transport Transport is a crucial enabler of social wellbeing and economic growth. To achieve its full enabling potential, transport needs to be integrated, reliable, affordable, high-quality, and efficient. Transport for Wales (TfW) has been on a transformation journey to move beyond being a railway operator to becoming an integrated, multi-modal transport provider that plays a key […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Net zero Transport November 19, 2024
Reports Tackling Inequalities Increasing workforce diversity across public services Black, Asian and minority ethnic people and disabled people are currently under-represented in the Welsh Government workforce and across the One Welsh Public Service. In response to this, the Welsh Government has specific targets related to the recruitment and progression of Black, Asian and minority ethnic people and disabled people at all levels, and women […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion November 19, 2024
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities More data and earlier focus key to tackling post-16 tertiary education inequalities The creation of Medr, the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research, represents a step change in the organisation of post-16 education and training in Wales. This blog discusses some of the main challenges facing policy makers on post-16 education and training in Wales. This includes relatively low levels of higher education participation, lower levels of […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Education inequalities Poverty and social exclusion November 6, 2024
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Widening participation and transforming lives: What works? The wicked problem of widening participation. Despite years of increasing and widening participation strategies, there is evidence of widening inequality gaps and growing divergences in educational opportunities and outcomes across countries. In every country where data is available, participation in higher levels of education continues to be unequal from a social background perspective. A recent […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Education inequalities November 5, 2024
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Equity in tertiary education in Wales - an adult perspective Understanding inequity in tertiary education. Here, Joshua Miles, of the Learning and Work Institute, gives his perspective on the data analysis undertaken by ADR Wales and the findings of WCPP's evidence review. A key role and opportunity for Medr The introduction of Medr, the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research has the potential to dramatically […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Education inequalities November 4, 2024
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Tackling inequity in tertiary education Responding to WCPP’s latest publications on Understanding Inequity in Tertiary Education, in a series of thinkpieces, leading education experts have called for action to reduce inequalities during compulsory education; further assessment of the potential of contextualised admissions; and for Medr to take a whole sector leadership role in valuing all facets of tertiary education including […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Education inequalities October 25, 2024
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
Reports Tackling Inequalities Understanding inequity in tertiary education in Wales Tertiary education refers to post-16 learning - sixth forms, further education, higher education, apprenticeships and adult community learning. Medr, the new Commission for Tertiary Education and Research, has a duty to address these inequalities and promote equality of opportunity across the whole of the tertiary education sector. More broadly, Medr is responsible for the funding, […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Education inequalities Poverty and social exclusion October 23, 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 Increasing access to early childhood education and care (ECEC) among Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic children and families in Wales Increasing access to early childhood education and care (ECEC) is a global priority as it is seen as key for tackling and preventing a range of inequalities. As well as removing financial barriers and increasing the availability of ECEC, governments must address cultural, social and structural barriers to increase access among Black, Asian and Minority […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Education inequalities September 27, 2024
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Working together to tackle poverty stigma in Wales – five key insights Over the last 12 months, the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) has been exploring what poverty stigma is, where it comes from, why it matters, what works to address it and, what we at WCPP can do to enable decision makers to access evidence that informs their actions to prevent and address poverty stigma, […] Read more Topics: Lived experience Local government Poverty and social exclusion September 10, 2024
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Shining a light on poverty stigma The devastating impact of the stigma of poverty has been long established. It is known to worsen people’s mental health, leads to people not claiming all the benefits they are entitled to and increases the risk of children being absent from school. Until recently, relatively little was known about the prevalence of the stigma in […] Read more Topics: Lived experience Poverty and social exclusion September 4, 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
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities 'Framing' not blaming I qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist in 1991 and worked with children and their families for the next 16 years. I became increasingly frustrated at the daily challenges of making a sufficient impact with the little time and resources I had. When the opportunity came to apply for the post of Flying Start […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion August 14, 2024
News Tackling Inequalities WCPP survey lifts the lid on poverty stigma in Wales The first major survey into the scale of poverty stigma in Wales has found that 25% of the Welsh population have experienced poverty stigma ‘always’, ‘often’ or ‘sometimes’ in the last year. The Wales Centre for Public Policy commissioned the Bevan Foundation to carry out the survey as part of WCPP’s work to support the […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion August 14, 2024
Reports Tackling Inequalities Lifting the lid on poverty stigma in Wales The first major survey into the scale of poverty stigma in Wales has found that 25% of the Welsh population have experienced poverty stigma ‘always’, ‘often’ or ‘sometimes’ in the last year. The Wales Centre for Public Policy commissioned the Bevan Foundation to carry out the survey as part of WCPP’s work to support the […] Read more Topics: Lived experience Local government Poverty and social exclusion August 13, 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 Community Wellbeing Multisector collaboration to improve community wellbeing - explained The Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) has published the findings from its groundbreaking research in conjunction with the Resourceful Communities Partnership, on collaboration to improve community wellbeing. It is hoped the reports, and a practical ‘Framework for Action’ will support and improve vital collaboration between public services and community organisations in Wales. WCPP Senior […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government August 5, 2024
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing A shared sense of purpose drives successful multisector collaboration – lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic During the COVID-19 pandemic, voluntary and community sector organisations became more visible than ever before. With deep roots into the communities they serve, these organisations were able to draw on local knowledge and existing infrastructure to reach those who needed help the most. A report by Locality (2020) highlighted the role of community organisations as […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration August 5, 2024
Reports Environment and Net Zero A local authority-led transition to net zero The Welsh Government has an ambition of a net zero public sector by 2030. However, the current budgetary pressures in the Welsh public sector, and for local authorities in particular, will make realising this ambition particularly challenging. In order to support the 2030 ambition, the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) is coordinating a climate change […] Read more Topics: Local government Net zero July 23, 2024
Reports Community Wellbeing Multisector collaboration to improve community wellbeing The Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) and the Resourceful Communities Partnership (RCP) have been working together on research to better understand the role of multisector collaboration in improving community action and wellbeing. The project had two phases: Phase one entailed a review of evidence drawing on practice-based case studies, UK-based grey literature, and academic […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government July 19, 2024
Projects Tackling Inequalities Increasing access to early childhood education and care (ECEC) among Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic children and families in Wales The Welsh Government’s Anti-racist Wales Action Plan (ARWAP) identifies the importance of early childhood play, learning and care to child development, lifelong learning and social integration. Working with its Anti-racist Wales Action Plan Governance Group for Childcare, the Welsh Government identified the issue of uptake of early years childcare among Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Education inequalities July 11, 2024
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing Why Wales needs a new approach to tackling loneliness Loneliness is bad for us. It’s so detrimental that in 2023 the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared loneliness a pressing global health threat because of the growing, and startling, body of evidence demonstrating just how bad loneliness is for human health and wellbeing. Research has associated loneliness with increased risks of dementia by 50%, stroke […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Loneliness June 13, 2024
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing Environment and Net Zero The Cardiff Capital Region, Cars and Transit Oriented Development The problem Our planning and development eco-system has resulted in us building ‘all the wrong stuff in all the wrong places’ for over 50 years. Homes, hospitals, shops, offices, cinemas, leisure centres, etc are all designed and located around car access. This car based eco-system now means that many new houses are located in places […] Read more Topics: Local government Net zero Transport June 10, 2024
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing Tackling Inequalities Hidden poverty in Welsh communities Poverty is sometimes depicted as a primarily urban phenomenon but there is financial hardship in all regions and geographies in Wales. One in five (21%) of the Welsh population are living in relative income poverty; an even greater proportion are going without essentials. Three in ten people (31%) are struggling to heat their homes, and […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion June 3, 2024
Blog Posts Environment and Net Zero Tackling Inequalities Navigating farming futures How can farmers go ‘Green’ if they are in the ‘Red’? Following Brexit and the introduction of the UK Domestic Agricultural Policy, the UK farming sector faces substantial uncertainty. This blog explores some economic, social, and environmental impacts of these changes in Wales, with a particular emphasis on the emerging issue of poverty among farming […] Read more Topics: Economy Net zero May 31, 2024
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing Less resilient communities around Wales face extra challenges New research identifies additional challenges faced by communities at the margins. Following the publication of the Wales Community Assets Index and the Wales Community Resilience Index, Building Communities Trust’s (BCT) Policy Officer, Eleri Williams, explores what these linked but separate indexes tell us about the challenges faced by ‘Less Resilient’ communities in Wales and where […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Poverty and social exclusion May 30, 2024
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Recognising and addressing rural poverty in Wales When we think about poverty in Wales the uplands of Eryri, coastal villages in Pembrokeshire, or the rolling farmlands of Powys do not tend to be the first places that come to mind. Yet, there is growing evidence that poverty is a persistent and increasing problem for many people living in rural Wales. Researchers have […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion May 28, 2024
Blog Posts Research and Impact What has devolution delivered for Wales? The day after marking its 25th birthday, the Welsh Senedd voted to increase its size by more than 50%. In 2026 the Welsh public will therefore elect 96 members in place of the current 60. Advocates of this change hailed it as a historic investment in democracy which reflected the significant strengthening of the Senedd’s […] Read more Topics: Local government Research and Impact: Impact May 24, 2024
Reports Embedding social value in procurement There is increasing expectation for public procurement to deliver positive outcomes for society and the communities which public bodies serve. This emphasis on social value is not a new concept, and there are international examples of how public procurement can deliver positive social, economic and environmental impacts. Delivering social value through procurement is especially important […] Read more Topics: Local government May 22, 2024
Reports Community Wellbeing Expert opinion on eliminating profit from the care of children looked after The Welsh Government has proposed legislation to eliminate private profit from the provision of children’s residential and foster care. This aims to ensure that public money invested into the provision of children’s social care is used to ‘deliver better experiences and outcomes for children and young people, supporting service development and improvement and further professional […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion May 20, 2024
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
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing Together Creating Communities Young Leaders: Our campaign journey In this guest blog, TCC (Together Creating Communities) Young Leaders from St Joseph’s Catholic and Anglican High School in Wrexham talk about their campaign to eradicate school hunger and their experiences of attending WCPP’s stakeholder workshop on tackling poverty stigma. Just over one year ago, as part of Together Creating Communities (TCC) we – a […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion May 16, 2024
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities All voices must be heard in the struggle against poverty We’ve all heard the headlines; the weight of which we all carry. The Swansea Poverty Truth Commission is the first in Wales. Being part of this project as community commissioners provides an opportunity that allows us to reflect on the power of people coming together. Those with the lived experience of the struggle against poverty […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Poverty and social exclusion May 16, 2024
Blog Posts Environment and Net Zero Towards a green economy: building on Wales’ legislative foundation There is much talk about the scale and pace of change that is needed to move towards net zero in Wales. The changes are equally important for a prosperous economy as well as a green economy, as we discussed in our evidence paper for the Senedd’s Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee. There are important […] Read more Topics: Economy Net zero May 13, 2024
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing How healthy is democracy in Wales and how can we best measure it? With ‘democratic backsliding’ a concern in national and international politics, along with an eroding trust in government, this blog by Greg Notman and Professor James Downe builds on a recent WCPP report which highlights the need to think about more than just elections when assessing the democratic health of our democracy, and looks at successes […] Read more Topics: Local government May 6, 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
Blog Posts Research and Impact How to improve regional productivity levers in England and Wales How to improve regional productivity levers in England and Wales As winners of the 2024 Award for the Best Paper published in Regional Studies Policy Debates, Helen Tilley, Jack Newman, Charlotte Hoole, Andrew Connell, and Ananya Mukherjee discuss the winning paper. They argue that UK regions lack the policy levers they need to improve productivity […] Read more Topics: Economy Research and Impact: Methods and approaches April 17, 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 Environment and Net Zero How could Wales heat and build low carbon homes by 2035? Achieving net zero in Wales requires drastic reductions in emissions from new and existing buildings. Decarbonisation of domestic heating has a critical role to play in cutting emissions from buildings, as reflected in the Welsh Government’s draft Heat Strategy for Wales, with a pathway to deliver clean and affordable heat by 2050. The Welsh Government, […] Read more Topics: Employment, work and skills Housing and homes April 10, 2024
Reports Environment and Net Zero What could education, jobs and work look like across Wales by 2035? Education and work form the backbone of people’s lives, as well as being of crucial importance to the economic and social development of Wales. Achieving net zero calls for the development of new industries, the creation and change of job roles and mitigating the effects of industry closure. The Welsh Government, as part of its […] Read more Topics: Net zero March 28, 2024
Reports Environment and Net Zero Decarbonising Wales’ transport system while connecting people and places Transport is the third highest greenhouse gas emitting sector in Wales. Decarbonising the transport sector while ensuring that the people and places of Wales are connected is essential for Wales’ net zero future. The Welsh Government, as part of its Co-operation Agreement with Plaid Cymru, has formed the Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group, chaired […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Net zero Transport March 28, 2024
Reports Tackling Inequalities 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
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing Exploring and enhancing the role of lived experience The Wales Centre for Public Policy is delighted to be hosting an 18-month collaborative UKRI Innovation Policy Fellowship to explore and enhance the role of lived experience expertise at WCPP, in the What Works Network and in policy making more broadly. The WCPP Fellow, Dr Rounaq Nayak, from Bournemouth University, is one of 44 policy […] Read more Topics: Lived experience March 1, 2024
Projects Tackling Inequalities Diversity in recruitment The Welsh Government has asked the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) to support its work on increasing the proportion of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic and disabled people who are appointed, in order to correct a current under-representation in the Welsh Government workforce. In particular, the Welsh Government is interested in the following areas […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Local government January 16, 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
Reports Tackling Inequalities International approaches to population ageing and decline Trends in fertility and mortality have resulted in an increasing excess of deaths over birth since 2015/16 in Wales. The Total Fertility Rate in Wales fell below the replacement rate (of 2.1) in 1974 and has remained there since, standing at just 1.5 births per woman in 2021. Based on past trends, the Welsh population […] Read more Topics: Economy Employment, work and skills December 18, 2023
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 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
Reports Environment and Net Zero How could Wales meet energy needs by 2035 while phasing out fossil fuels? The evidence shows that while reaching the 2035 target is achievable, it will require fast and large-scale action in order to provide the necessary level of electricity generation capacity. Decarbonising the electricity system by moving to low- and zero-carbon electricity generation and electrification of heat, transport and industrial processes will be a vital part […] Read more Topics: Energy Net zero December 5, 2023
Reports Research and Impact Is your policy going to fail? Here’s how you can tell and what you can do about it Policies often fail to achieve their intentions. While much has been written about this, and how to avoid it, knowledge and insight is somewhat siloed. In collaboration with the Centre for Evidence and Implementation, we undertook a review to understand the latest thinking on the policy-implementation gap and identify how insights from implementation science can […] Read more Topics: Local government Research and Impact: Methods and approaches November 13, 2023
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
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Let's talk about poverty stigma Poverty stigma – what is it, where does it come from and why are we working on it? “Having no money, having no food, it goes onto your mental health then makes that bad because you’re always constantly worrying about whether you’re going to get your gas and electric”. "I was mortified when I had […] Read more Topics: Lived experience Poverty and social exclusion 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
Reports Community Wellbeing Defining, measuring and monitoring democratic health in Wales In Wales, concerns over the health of democracy have long focused on low voter turnout in elections and a lack of political awareness and understanding among the population. However, the issue of democratic health goes wider than this. Are citizens engaged in political issues? Do they have the sources of education and information to allow […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government October 18, 2023
Blog Posts Environment and Net Zero Tackling Inequalities How can Wales feed itself in the biodiverse, carbon-neutral world of the future? WWF Cymru Policy and Advocacy Manager Alexander Phillips has responded to our recent report: How could Wales feed itself by 2035? As the effects of climate change and biodiversity loss become increasingly apparent around the globe, the question of ‘how could Wales feed itself in 2035’ and beyond is easily one of the most important […] Read more Topics: Economy Energy Net zero October 16, 2023
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities How might anti-smoking policies affect the rise in vaping? The increasing number of people using e-cigarettes, presents a significant policy challenge to governments in Wales, the UK, and elsewhere. We look at the differing measures governments around the world are putting in place. In the UK, 9.1% of adults reported using e-cigarettes in 2023, equal to around 4.7 million adults. Some see this as […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities October 13, 2023
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Fair's fair? Equality, equity and access to tertiary education As the new Commission for Tertiary Education and Research (CTER) gears up, Jack Price explores what more can be done to create a fairer system for learners in Wales. Here at the Wales Centre for Public Policy we have been looking at ways to promote greater fairness in the tertiary education system. Our analysis considers which […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Education inequalities October 11, 2023
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing Tackling Inequalities How can councils support their communities through the cost-of-living crisis? Five key takeaways from the Welsh Local Government Association Annual Conference The cost-of-living crisis is a major challenge for our communities and is hitting the poorest in society particularly hard. The need for help with basics such as food, fuel and clothing has never been higher. We know that this is rightly a high priority […] Read more Topics: Local government Poverty and social exclusion October 10, 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
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing Investment in councils, investment in communities I was invited to speak to the WLGA conference about “investment in councils, investment in communities”, and what follows is a very slightly abridged version of my comments on that topic; outlining how evidence can support councils in navigating the challenging situation they face. The multiple challenges facing councils The theme of this session is […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Economy Local government October 9, 2023
Projects Community Wellbeing Multisector collaboration for community action Better understanding multisectoral collaboration in supporting community action that enhances wellbeing. Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government September 25, 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
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing Tackling Inequalities Complex partnership arrangements are a barrier to effective support for children and families 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: Community collaboration August 12, 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
Reports Community Wellbeing Loneliness inequalities evidence review Research evidence shows overwhelmingly that loneliness affects some groups in society more than others and is particularly acute for those who face multiple forms of disadvantage. This suggests that loneliness may be unevenly distributed in society in ways that reflect and interact with broader structural inequalities. Yet the dominant approaches to loneliness in research, policy […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Local government Loneliness August 9, 2023
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
Blog Posts Environment and Net Zero The benefits of Welsh diet change for our health, climate and pockets Reducing emissions from agriculture remains one of the biggest barriers on Wales’ pathway to net zero. Progress has been limited in recent years and while ‘supply-side’ changes to farming practices are necessary, these alone will not be sufficient to achieve significant falls in agricultural emissions. There needs to be ‘demand-side’ change in the behaviour of […] Read more Topics: Economy Net zero July 24, 2023
Reports Environment and Net Zero How could Wales feed itself in 2035? To achieve the Welsh Government’s net zero ambitions, Wales needs to reduce its agricultural emissions through changes to farming practices and increased carbon sequestration, while also sustaining rural livelihoods. The Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) has been given funding by the Welsh Government to provide independent support to the Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities Net zero Poverty and social exclusion July 24, 2023
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities A revolution by stealth? Basic income experiments proliferate In this guest blog on basic income, Professor Guy Standing looks at the growing number of basic income trials and pilots around the world, and the evidence gained from them. At the moment, pioneered by the First Minister, Mark Drakeford, the Welsh Government is piloting a basic income for all those leaving care at age […] Read more Topics: Economy Poverty and social exclusion July 19, 2023
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Basic income: What is it and what it isn’t In this guest blog, Dr Francine Mestrum looks at three different forms of basic income - a universal basic income, a basic income for those who need it, and a universal dividend – and assesses their potential to achieve social justice. When starting a discussion on ‘basic income’ it is crucial to first clear the […] Read more Topics: Economy Poverty and social exclusion July 17, 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
Reports Environment and Net Zero Net zero 2035: Trends and pathways report While reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in Wales have, so far, kept pace with existing targets on the pathway to achieving net zero by 2050, future progress will require substantial changes to the economy and society, with dramatic falls in emissions needed over the next decade. The Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) has been […] Read more Topics: Energy Net zero June 28, 2023
Blog Posts Environment and Net Zero Using evidence to accelerate action on climate change 'What scope is there for Welsh Government to do more, to change its approach, or to deliver its existing net zero ambitions more effectively?' In its latest progress report, the UK Climate Change Committee (CCC) concludes that while Wales has achieved emissions targets for the First Carbon Budget (2016-2020), the country is currently not on […] 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
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Not everybody wants a goat! Five takeaways from our conference on Wales' basic income pilot. There is much hope and enthusiasm for the idea of a basic income around the world and, close to home, the Basic Income for Care Leavers in Wales Pilot is supporting 500 young people leaving care with an income of £1280 (after tax) per month […] Read more Topics: Economy 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
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing Tackling Inequalities It's time to talk about loneliness inequalities In this blog, Josh Coles-Riley explains why the Wales Centre for Public Policy has commissioned a major new review of research on loneliness inequalities – and why WCPP is now planning an event to bring together policymakers, practitioners, researchers and lived experience experts to explore what policy and practice changes are needed to tackle these. […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Local government 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
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing Working together to tackle loneliness and isolation In February 2020, the Welsh Government published its first ever strategy to tackle loneliness and social isolation - “Connected Communities”. We have probably all experienced these feelings at some point in our lives, but when they become long-term and entrenched, they can have a huge impact on our physical and mental wellbeing. And 'although loneliness […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Loneliness June 12, 2023
Reports Community Wellbeing Older adults and the pandemic: tackling loneliness through technology Loneliness and social isolation have significant impacts on older people’s health and wellbeing. This has been a priority issue for the Welsh Government since before the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, social distancing measures increased the risk of loneliness and social isolation and accelerated the use of technology to facilitate social contact and connection. WCPP […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government Loneliness June 12, 2023
News 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 Environment and Net Zero WCPP to support Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group The Wales Centre for Public Policy will support the work of the new Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge Group, bringing together evidence and expertise to explore how Wales can speed up its transition to net zero. The Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru have jointly invited an independent group, chaired by former Environment Minister Jane Davidson, […] Read more Topics: Net zero April 27, 2023
Projects Environment and Net Zero Net zero 2035 We supported the work of the Wales 2035 Challenge Group by providing evidence across its five challenge areas. Read more Topics: Energy Housing and homes Just transition Net zero April 26, 2023
Reports Environment and Net Zero Net zero skills: Insights and evidence from emissions sectors in Wales The transition to net zero presents opportunities and challenges for workers, employers and government. The economic changes likely to accompany the ongoing transition will affect all jobs to some extent and will result in shifts in employment as new employers, industries and roles emerge and others close down. Following its commitment in Net Zero Wales, […] Read more Topics: Energy Net zero February 28, 2023
Reports 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 Environment and Net Zero Housing stock energy modelling: Towards a model for Wales The combination of increasing global demand for energy and strict carbon emissions targets have made the decision-making process around acquiring and using energy complex. In the context of the net zero by 2050 commitment, the UK and devolved governments are interested in understanding the emissions implications of policy decisions and the interrelationships between decisions in […] Read more Topics: Energy Housing and homes January 13, 2023
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities What works to tackle poverty? Experimenting with a Basic Income in Wales The current ‘cost of living crisis’ has highlighted the urgency of identifying and developing effective approaches to tackling poverty, an objective which underpinned the poverty review which we delivered for the Welsh Government in September 2022. Over the last year, there has been a 69% rise in the number of people experiencing food insecurity in […] Read more Topics: Economy Poverty and social exclusion December 15, 2022
Reports Environment and Net Zero International approaches to a Just Transition The Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) was commissioned by the Welsh Government to conduct a review of international approaches to a just transition to help define what is meant by a ‘just transition’ in the Welsh context. The Welsh Government are keen to learn lessons from how other countries have approached a just transition […] Read more Topics: Just transition December 6, 2022
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Tackling poverty and mental health together: a multi-agency approach The Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) has recommended four areas of focus for Welsh Government action on poverty and social exclusion. One of these is about mental load and mental health: “Addressing the emotional and psychological burden carried by people living in poverty and social exclusion through tackling stigma, (re)humanising ‘the system’ and treating […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Health inequalities Poverty and social exclusion December 2, 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
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing The state of democracy in Wales: What is it and how can we measure it? Concerns over democratic health are a global phenomenon, often triggered by crises or events that result in public pressure for reform. Iceland’s near-economic destruction after the Global Financial Crisis, for instance, instigated wide-ranging reforms to their democratic system. In Wales (and the wider UK) discussions around the health of our democracy have traditionally focussed narrowly […] Read more Topics: Local government November 17, 2022
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing What does 'blended' digital and face-to-face provision mean for access to services during the cost-of-living crisis? The cost-of-living crisis is making access to community-based wellbeing services ever more important for an increasing number of people. These services – from advice, advocacy and support services to leisure and cultural organisations – are critical in supporting our immediate and long-term wellbeing. As highlighted during the pandemic, they save lives in times of crisis. […] Read more Topics: Local government Poverty and social exclusion November 8, 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
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Waiting for care Waiting for care arises from the mismatch between the need for care, and the capacity of NHS services to meet those needs and can lead to adverse outcomes. The report from the Wales Centre for Public Policy highlights how the time spent waiting for referral-to-treatment (RTT) has been increasing since before the pandemic, which further […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities October 20, 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
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities What does the Welsh health and social care system look like? Our previous blog, Is healthcare in Wales really that different?, sets out some of the key features of the Welsh health and social care system, and key differences from other parts of the UK. Like other developed healthcare systems, the structure of the NHS in Wales has developed and evolved in response to population needs […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities October 12, 2022
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Are the Welsh Government’s plans for the Welsh NHS Executive a missed opportunity? With so much of the focus on the NHS being given to waiting times, it was easy to miss the Welsh Government’s update on the NHS Executive for Wales. This may seem like a bureaucratic distraction from more important issues, but establishing an NHS Executive has long been seen as an essential reform to the […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities Local government October 12, 2022
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Social care workforce crisis in Wales: what is causing it and what is being done to fix it? The consistent message in recent submissions to the Senedd enquiry on the Health and Social Care workforce strategy was that the social care workforce is in ‘crisis’. Services are struggling to find or retain staff. And, of course, the provision of high quality care is dependent upon the social care professionals who have the skills, […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities October 11, 2022
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Evidence and An Anti-Racist Wales On 7 June, the Welsh Government launched its new Action Plan to forge An Anti-Racist Wales by 2030. The work will involve identifying and eradicating the systems, structures and processes that contribute to unequal outcomes for people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities. The launch was described by the Minister for Social Justice, Jane […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion October 4, 2022
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Promoting pathways out of poverty – and preventing the pitfalls of poverty entry Enabling ‘pathways’ out of poverty must be a fundamental goal of any anti-poverty strategy. But how should such a strategy seek to achieve this? And how can we ensure that these ‘pathways’ translate into meaningful reductions in levels of poverty across Wales? Across European nations, the promotion of paid work has become central to anti-poverty […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion September 30, 2022
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Being poor in Wales – why where you live matters Several of the challenges faced by people living in poverty or social exclusion in Wales relate to where they live. Local costs of living, affordability of good quality housing, levels of crime, adequate infrastructure, and access to services, green spaces, quality employment, education and training, all affect people’s quality of life, can entrench social exclusion […] Read more Topics: Housing and homes Poverty and social exclusion September 29, 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
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Running on empty: why we need reform in the cost-of-living crisis During the initial months of the pandemic, when various protections were in place – such as the £20 per week uplift to Universal Credit – the number of people who sought help from Citizens Advice on debt problems dropped significantly. Since October 2021, however, when many of these protections came to an end and energy […] Read more Topics: Economy Poverty and social exclusion September 27, 2022
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities A matter of costs For decades, poverty has been measured by a household’s income relative to that of others. Although adjustments are made for housing costs and household size, the key metric is the amount of cash coming into a household. Public policy on poverty has followed this focus on household incomes. At UK level, the key levers for […] Read more Topics: Economy September 27, 2022
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities What makes for an effective anti-poverty strategy? The lack of an anti-poverty strategy did not stop the Welsh Government from taking action during the pandemic to address poverty in Wales. From the provision of money, vouchers or packed lunches during the school holidays to children entitled to free school meals, to allowing eligible families to claim a pupil development grant every year […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion September 26, 2022
Reports Tackling Inequalities Poverty and social exclusion: A way forward The Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) was commissioned by the Welsh Government to conduct a review of international poverty and social exclusion strategies, programmes and interventions. A suite of reports has been produced as part of this project, reviewing a significant amount of evidence at different levels, including evidence of individual programmes that aim […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion September 26, 2022
Reports Tackling Inequalities 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
Reports Tackling Inequalities Review of poverty and social exclusion in Wales The Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) have prepared two reports on poverty and social exclusion in Wales as part of our work to deliver a review of international poverty and social exclusion strategies, programmes and interventions for the Welsh Government. One report focuses on quantitative evidence, and another focuses on secondary qualitative evidence relating […] Read more Topics: Lived experience Poverty and social exclusion September 26, 2022
Blog Posts Research and Impact Has devolution delivered? The last 25 years have seen a significant and sustained increase in public support for devolution in Wales. The 1997 referendum produced only a wafer thin majority in favour of creating a Welsh Assembly. Now fewer than 1 in 5 of the adult population say that they would vote to reverse that decision, whilst a […] Read more Topics: Local government Research and Impact: Impact September 23, 2022
Reports Environment and Net Zero Decarbonisation and the Welsh economy Fundamental questions need to be asked and choices need to be made about the future of Welsh society and the economy. For instance, should Wales promote new, green industries, taking advantage of new technologies and better industrial processes that can be exported and can drive economic growth? Or should Wales instead pursue a strategy of […] Read more Topics: Economy Energy Net zero September 21, 2022
Reports Environment and Net Zero Developing skills for a just transition The transition to a low-carbon economy in Wales will affect workers and communities, particularly those with links to carbon-intensive industries. There is evidence that net-zero policies and environmental regulations may result in closures of some industries and the adoption of low-carbon processes in others. While there is likely to be an increased demand for both […] Read more Topics: Employment, work and skills Just transition August 31, 2022
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing ‘Blending’ online and offline provision in community wellbeing services: what does it mean and why does it matter? 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. These have been delivered in different combinations at different times, in response to a rapidly shifting landscape of restrictions on physical contact and […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government August 30, 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
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Finding a path to university as a mature student It wasn’t until I came to the conclusion that I was miserable in my job that I first heard the monkey on my back screaming. Browsing through open vacancies online, I’d find a role I felt I’d be perfect for. Reading the job description would confirm it: yes, I can do all of that. More […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Education inequalities August 18, 2022
Reports Community Wellbeing Research and Impact What is the role of evidence in shaping suicide prevention policy in Wales? Suicide is one of the leading causes of death worldwide.¹ Across the globe, 800,000 people die by suicide every year, translating to approximately one suicide death every 40 seconds (WHO, 2021). When considering the number of bereaved family, friends, and communities behind every single one of these deaths, the impact of suicide on our world […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities Local government Research and Impact: PhD interns July 8, 2022
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Expanding post-compulsory education: what we’ve learned On the 5th of May, we hosted our first in-person event since March 2020, and our first in our new home in sbarc|spark. We were delighted to welcome guests and speakers to an afternoon thinking through policy interventions that could support increased participation in post-compulsory education and training, building on our recent reports on Raising […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Education inequalities June 13, 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
Blog Posts Environment and Net Zero Tackling Inequalities Infrastructure requirements for Wales to transition to a prosperous, sustainable economy Understanding wealth and wellbeing The twenty-first century will not be like the twentieth. Most obviously, the economy of the future will be low-carbon, more efficient, less reliant on fossil fuels and highly digitised. It will need to forgo dangerous depletion of natural resources, in particular the renewable kind, such as forests, fisheries and ecosystems that […] Read more Topics: Economy Net zero May 24, 2022
Reports Environment and Net Zero What Works Network implementation project Building on our work to increase the impact of the What Works network across the UK, the Wales Centre for Public Policy won funding from the ESRC to work with Professor Jonathan Sharples at EEF and other What Works Centres to apply the latest thinking and evidence on implementation – how evidence is used in decision […] Read more Topics: Local government April 10, 2022
Reports 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
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing ‘Levelling Up’: continuing the conversation ‘Levelling Up’ - used here to refer to the wider UK Government policy agenda rather than the specific Levelling Up funding stream - is predominantly about tackling place-based economic inequality, economic development, and productivity. As set out in our previous WCPP blog, this is a conversation that is critical for Wales. Whilst ‘Levelling Up’ seeks […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government March 14, 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
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing ‘Levelling Up’: a critical conversation for Wales What does ‘levelling up’ mean in practice for Wales? While debate around the definition continues, the long awaited White Paper has now been published. However, questions remain around how results will be achieved. At the IWA Economy Summit in November Vaughan Gething MS, the Welsh Minister for Economy, commented that levelling up might be framed […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government March 1, 2022
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Should the age of participation in education or training be raised to 18 in Wales? Dr Matt Dickson is Reader in Public Policy at the Institute for Policy Research (IPR) at the University of Bath. Sue Maguire is an Honorary Professor at the IPR at the University of Bath. Their research on raising the age of participation to 18 has recently been published by the Wales Centre for Public Policy. […] Read more Topics: Education inequalities February 3, 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
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 Stakeholders’ ideas for tackling loneliness in Wales through the pandemic and beyond In July 2021, the Wales Centre for Public Policy worked in partnership with Kaleidoscope Health and Care to run a multifaceted engagement programme involving stakeholders working to tackle loneliness and enhance wellbeing in Wales and beyond. The programme included a two-day digital event (14th and 15th July) and a stakeholder survey. Participants reflected on their […] Read more Topics: Local government Loneliness October 13, 2021
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing New insight into loneliness in Wales New analysis by the Wales Centre for Public Policy gives important new insights into how different characteristics can multiply people’s risk of loneliness. Until now, we have had a good understanding of how one characteristic or another, such as disability, poverty or age, influenced the chances of someone being lonely. We can now see how […] Read more Topics: Loneliness October 11, 2021
Reports Community Wellbeing Who is lonely in Wales? This series of data insights on loneliness in Wales is based on bespoke analysis of the National Survey for Wales (NSW). It is designed to provide policy makers and public services with a greater understanding of who is lonely and the intersection of different ‘risk factors’ so that funding and interventions to tackle loneliness can […] Read more Topics: Loneliness October 11, 2021
Reports 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
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing A pandemic called loneliness When I was asked to attend the event on ‘Tackling loneliness in Wales through the pandemic and beyond’ as a representative for my organisation (Carmarthenshire County Council), I thought it was because I was a care home manager for older adults, and when we hear the word ‘loneliness’ we automatically think of the older generation […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities Loneliness September 2, 2021
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing Volunteering and wellbeing in the pandemic: Learning from practice We’ve heard a lot about the valuable role of volunteering in supporting communities through the pandemic. But when we looked at the evidence base on how volunteering has supported wellbeing during the crisis, we found it mostly focuses on volunteers’ wellbeing, with much less on those being helped or on community wellbeing. And yet we […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government August 18, 2021
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing Why go back to the office? The Coronavirus pandemic has undoubtedly catalysed one of the most rapid transformations in many people’s working lives for decades. UK data suggests that while 5% of workers worked from home prior to March 2020, this increased to approximately 43% at the beginning of the first lockdown in 2020. The same study suggests that around half […] Read more Topics: Lived experience August 4, 2021
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing What I’d tell the Beatles about loneliness To be honest, I’m not really a big Beatles fan. But oddly, when it comes to singing songs in the shower, “Eleanor Rigby” with “all the lonely people”, is high up on my top 10 list. I’ve no idea why; perhaps it’s because I can remember all the words. The song is the same age […] Read more Topics: Loneliness July 13, 2021
Blog Posts Environment and Net Zero The future of Wales’ farming policy The Welsh Government is currently developing agricultural policy proposals which aim to support farmers in adopting sustainable farming practices. Their intentions for primary legislation can be found in the Agriculture (Wales) White Paper, for which consultations closed in March 2021. Their intention is for the Bill to ‘be informed by the best available evidence’ from […] Read more Topics: Economy Net zero June 30, 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
Blog Posts Research and Impact Five years on from the Brexit referendum Five years ago today the UK voted to leave the European Union (EU), a process which culminated in the beginning of a new trade relationship with the EU from January 1st of this year. WCPP and our predecessor organisation PPIW have been engaged with understanding the implications of Brexit for Wales throughout this period. We […] Read more Topics: Economy Research and Impact: Impact June 23, 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 Tackling Inequalities Research and Impact The Welsh Government’s use of policy tools for mainstreaming equalities From the onset of devolution, the Welsh Government has had a statutory duty to mainstream equality of opportunity in all of its activities. Following two decades of variation in prominence on the Governmental agenda, the mainstreaming of equality within the Welsh Government has experienced a renewed interest in recent years. In 2018, then First Minister […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Research and Impact: PhD interns June 9, 2021
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Implementing the Socio-economic Duty: learning from experience On 31st March 2021, the Welsh Government commenced section 1 of the Equality Act 2010, known as the socio-economic duty. It requires that public bodies, when making strategic decisions, have “due regard to the need to reduce the inequalities of outcome resulting from socio-economic disadvantage”. This signals the most recent attempt from the Welsh Government […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion June 9, 2021
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing Volunteering lessons from the pandemic Amanda Carr, Director of Swansea Council for Voluntary Service (SCVS), reflects on how new research into volunteering and wellbeing during the pandemic matches up with her own experiences. I wanted to start by taking the opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy Volunteers’ Week and to say a huge thank you to all those volunteers […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government June 7, 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 Community Wellbeing The role of communities and the use of technology in mitigating loneliness during the pandemic This report presents findings from WCPP research on the role of communities and the use of technology in mitigating loneliness during the Coronavirus pandemic. Tackling loneliness was a priority for Welsh Government and public services before the Coronavirus pandemic and has become a greater concern since. Lockdowns and social distancing policies introduced in response to […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government May 26, 2021
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Creating an anti-racist Wales The Coronavirus pandemic has increased the urgency of actions to eliminate racial disparities in Wales. Analysis shows that the risk of deaths involving COVID-19 among Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups is significantly higher than that of those of White ethnicity in Wales. Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic employees are also more likely to work […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion May 25, 2021
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Zoomshock: Is remote working the future of the Welsh economy? The Welsh Government has recently announced a ‘long-term ambition to see around 30% of Welsh workers working from home or near from home, including after the threat of Covid-19 lessens’. The shift to remote working during the Coronavirus pandemic has led to what some experts are describing as a ‘Zoomshock’, whereby economic activity moves from […] Read more Topics: Economy May 14, 2021
Blog Posts Environment and Net Zero Climate Change: Making the Transition Happen in Wales Recent developments give reasons to be ambitious about what Wales can do to tackle climate change. In December 2020, the UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC) recommended that Wales move to target Net Zero emissions by 2050, above its previous recommendation of a 95% reduction. Environment Minister Lesley Griffiths has committed to putting this target in […] Read more Topics: Just transition Net zero April 7, 2021
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Embedding Black and minority ethnic history, identity and culture into Welsh education “Black history is Welsh history, and Welsh history is Black history” Mark Drakeford, First Minister of Wales (October 2020) The new Curriculum for Wales 2022 presents an interesting challenge for progressing the ambition to see the representation of Black, Asian and minority ethnic perspectives, histories and contributions embedded in the educational diet of every […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Education inequalities March 17, 2021
Reports Tackling Inequalities Improving race equality in Wales The Welsh Government has made a commitment to publish a Race Equality Action Plan designed to tackle structural racial and ethnic inequalities in Wales. The Deputy Minister and Chief Whip asked the Wales Centre for Public Policy to undertake evidence reviews to inform the development of the Action Plan across six key policy areas, chosen […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion March 15, 2021
Reports Tackling Inequalities Disabled Facilities Grants: Changing the means test In 2019 in Wales 22% of the population were disabled, with the disabled population projected to increase significantly by 2035. Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) are means-tested grants for owner-occupiers and tenants (private or social) who are disabled to help towards the costs of making their home accessible. They are mandatory grants funded and administered by […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion March 10, 2021
Reports 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 Environment and Net Zero Remote Working The Welsh economy is experiencing a profound and unprecedented shock due to the Coronavirus pandemic. One of the consequences of lockdowns and public health restrictions has been requiring people, where they can, to work from home. UK data suggests that while just 5 per cent of workers worked from home prior to March 2020, this […] Read more Topics: Economy Employment, work and skills February 22, 2021
Reports 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
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Domiciliary Care: what it’s really like? My Name is Lucy and I currently work as a Policy Officer for the National Commissioning Board, (NCB). The NCB is made up of representatives from Health & Social Care organisations in Wales. The aim of the board is to support and promote the integration of Health & Social Care through commissioning, policy and practice. […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities Lived experience February 17, 2021
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Fairer Futures: Understanding Inequality in the Our Future Wales consultation The Welsh Government launched the Our Future Wales consultation in May 2020 with the aim of identifying ideas and solutions for rebuilding Wales following the Coronavirus pandemic. The public consultation drew more than 2,000 responses from individuals, groups, and organisations across the country and gathered a range of opinions - from ideas about public spaces […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion February 1, 2021
Reports Environment and Net Zero Achieving a just transition in Wales With ten years left to avoid a climate system breakdown as cautioned by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the need for decarbonising our economies has never been more urgent. Decarbonisation is a major policy challenge with the Welsh Government stating its ambition for a target of a 95% reduction in emissions by 2050. […] Read more Topics: Economy Energy Net zero January 27, 2021
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Post-Brexit Migration and Wales: Potential impacts of the new system and recommendations on the priorities for influencing UK immigration policy. Following the end of free movement on 31st December 2020, thinking turns not only to the impacts of the new immigration system, but also to how devolved nations can seek to respond to these changes. A recent report by Dr Eve Hepburn and Professor David Bell for the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) provides […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Economy January 15, 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
Reports Environment and Net Zero The implications of the European transition for key Welsh economic sectors Following its exit from the EU, the UK Government has started to negotiate free trade agreements with the EU and with other countries around the world. The negotiations and their outcomes will have a profound impact on the Welsh economy, as a whole and individually for key sectors. The Counsel General and Minister for European […] Read more Topics: Economy December 17, 2020
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
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing Using fishing opportunities to support mental health and wellbeing in the Welsh fishing industry As the UK leaves the European Union, much has been made of the post-Brexit opportunities for new governing legislation. In few industries is this more acutely felt than in the fishing industry, where there have been calls for a “sea of opportunity” as the UK becomes an independent coastal state with control over its waters. […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Health inequalities December 15, 2020
Reports Community Wellbeing Designing technology-enabled services to tackle loneliness Tackling loneliness was a priority for Welsh Government and public services across Wales before the Coronavirus pandemic and has become a greater concern since. The policy response of governments across the world that are dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic has focused on us all keeping a physical distance from others. There is growing concern about […] Read more Topics: Loneliness December 14, 2020
Reports 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
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Caring for the Care Sector: How Can We Support New Models of Home Care Social care needs help. We can only describe a service as in “crisis” for so long until that becomes the norm, and the very name “domiciliary care” makes it sound like a chore that needs to be completed. In our drive to “fix” the social care system we have begun to speak about it as […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities December 3, 2020
Reports Community Wellbeing Alternative models of domiciliary care Domiciliary care providers and markets are facing a range of challenges as a result of changing population demographics and funding pressures, which produce market fragility and workforce shortages. Alternative models of domiciliary care are being explored in Wales and elsewhere as possible responses to these challenges. The Coronavirus pandemic has placed additional pressure on social […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities December 3, 2020
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
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Gradually and then all at once – The UK’s new points-based migration system and small and medium enterprises Responding to the Wales Centre for Public Policy’s (WCPP) report on the impact of a new post-Brexit migration system, in this blog Dr Llyr ap Gareth, Senior Policy Adviser at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), outlines the practical issues it raises for smaller firms. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) make up 62.3% of private […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Economy November 30, 2020
Reports Post-Brexit migration and Wales This report analyses the potential impacts of post-Brexit migration policies on Wales’ labour market, population and society, and identifies ways in which the Welsh Government might respond to the opportunities and challenges that this presents. Ending free movement will have a significant impact on population change in Wales, which has been more reliant on non-UK […] Read more Topics: Economy November 30, 2020
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
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing Supporting mental health and wellbeing in fishermen and fishing communities In September 2020 the Centre published it’s report Policy options for Welsh fishing opportunities, which explores the potential fishing opportunities open to Wales after the European Transition. Equally as important as the financial implications for the sector is the mental impact the uncertainty of the Brexit situation is having on those who work within the […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Health inequalities November 12, 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
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Why diversity in public appointments matters Owing to the lack of diversity in board membership, many boards in Wales do not reflect the communities they serve, with Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic candidates and disabled candidates being currently underrepresented. The Wales Centre for Public Policy recently published two reports on improving recruitment practices in public appointments and how underrepresented groups could […] 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
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing Building on strong foundations: the volunteer response to the pandemic in Wales Emma Taylor-Collins and Hannah Durrant from Wales Centre for Public Policy, and WCVA’s Helpforce Cymru Manager Fiona Liddell look for a pattern in recent volunteering success stories from across Wales. Over the past few months, we’ve heard a lot about the significant volunteer response to the pandemic. As in the rest of the UK, volunteers […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Lived experience November 6, 2020
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities What does Brexit mean for the Welsh health and social care workforce? Regardless of what happens on the broader Brexit negotiations, change is coming on January 1; free movement will end, and the new “points-based system” will be introduced. In new research for the Wales Centre for Public Policy, Craig Johnson, Elsa Oommen and I looked at what this will mean for the health workforce in Wales; […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities October 29, 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 Environment and Net Zero UK migration policy and the Welsh NHS and social care workforce The UK Government has proposed a new, points-based immigration system to come into effect once the European Union (EU) Transition Period ends. The main effect of the new system will be to create equal status for EU and non-EU immigrants, and to end the free movement of labour to and from the European Union. While […] Read more Topics: Economy Employment, work and skills September 28, 2020
Reports 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 Tackling Inequalities Children looked after in Wales On 31st March 2019, there were 6,845 children looked after in Wales, a further increase of 440 compared to the previous year. As a result, the gap between the rate of children looked after in Wales compared to other parts of the UK has continued to widen. Within Wales, while most Local Authorities have seen […] Read more Topics: Loneliness Poverty and social exclusion September 9, 2020
Reports Environment and Net Zero Policy options for Welsh fishing opportunities The current size and performance of the Welsh fishing industry, as well as the policy context of the Well-being of Future Generations Act and Environment Act, all provide important context for thinking through what a successful industry fishing can look like in Wales post-Brexit. Attempts have been made to strengthen fisheries management, particularly at a […] Read more Topics: Energy September 2, 2020
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities The vital role of tertiary education Post-16 education and training are vital to individual opportunity and to the green economic growth Wales needs if it is to match the ambition of the Well-being of Future Generations Act. Wales has a proud tradition of valuing learning and knowledge for what they are, not just for what they contribute. The target of 50% […] Read more Topics: Education inequalities August 14, 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
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing Devolution and the Coronavirus pandemic in Wales: doing things differently, doing things together? In a Senedd debate in May both First Minister Mark Drakeford and Welsh Brexit Party Leader Mark Reckless found themselves agreeing that the Coronavirus pandemic had raised the profile of devolution more than anything else in the last 20 years. Unsurprisingly, they drew rather different conclusions from this common observation. But it underlines how in […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government July 3, 2020
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities How are we going to fund social care? The Coronavirus pandemic has highlighted, more than ever, the importance of funding social care. Local authorities are concerned about meeting their statutory duties, paying care workers a fair wage and ensuring a stable care market in their current budget constraints. Responding to the Coronavirus pandemic has placed additional cost pressures on social care, placing further […] Read more Topics: Economy Health inequalities July 1, 2020
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities The Coronavirus pandemic and the cost of health The current Coronavirus pandemic has brought healthcare and science experts to the centre of public debate. Questions about rationing resources such as access to specialist healthcare, testing, and availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) are being discussed daily. There has been talk of rationing access to beds and treatment, with Italian and Spanish frontline healthcare […] Read more Topics: Economy Health inequalities June 26, 2020
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing Financial vulnerability in the pandemic: a dilemma for local authorities The Coronavirus pandemic has necessitated a shift in the way in which we, as a society, think about vulnerability. Historically, we have tended towards a moral definition of vulnerability, which gives rise to a set of obligations and duties which have been enshrined in legislation such as the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act, 2014 […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government June 24, 2020
Blog Posts Environment and Net Zero Building back better: the importance of a green stimulus The Coronavirus pandemic-driven lockdown imposed across the UK has upended most aspects of day-to-day life. Whilst the economic cost of the lockdown is severe, one noticeable side-effect has been the impact of lockdown on the environment. Globally, CO2 emissions have reduced more as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic than from any other world event. […] Read more Topics: Economy Just transition Net zero June 17, 2020
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing The role of Welsh local government in a post-Coronavirus world The role that local government plays in the frontline provision of public services is highlighted and accentuated at times of crisis. Councils across Wales have co-ordinated and delivered a range of actions in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, including distributing over £500m in grants to businesses and supporting a wide range of vulnerable people and […] Read more Topics: Local government June 12, 2020
Projects Environment and Net Zero How to encourage driver adherence to 20mph consistent with road safety The Welsh Government is proposing to introduce a default speed limit of 20mph on all residential roads in Wales as part of a suite of measures to promote ‘liveable’ communities. 20mph limits have been implemented in many places in the UK but not on a national scale. A substantial shift in driver behaviour will be […] Read more Topics: Energy Local government June 11, 2020
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing Recovering from the Coronavirus pandemic: maintaining a legacy of volunteering One of the few positive side effects of the pandemic has been the apparent eruption in volunteering we’ve seen across Welsh communities – both in terms of the grassroots groups that have sprung up all over the country and the thousands of volunteers who have signed up with Volunteer Wales and local councils. We’ve heard […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration June 10, 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
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Clapping after Coronavirus: The implications of the Coronavirus pandemic for health and social care workers The Coronavirus pandemic has turned the world’s attention to the work of our carers. Each week, many of us have been clapping to recognise and show our appreciation for the difficult jobs that those in health and social care, as well as other key workers, are doing. The pandemic highlights, more than ever, the challenges […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities June 3, 2020
Blog Posts Environment and Net Zero Research and Impact The implications of the Coronavirus pandemic for the Welsh economy The Coronavirus pandemic is having a profound and unprecedented impact on the Welsh economy – an economy already weakened by retrenchment and austerity in the public sector following the 2008 financial crisis, in addition to the challenges posed by leaving the European Union. The Coronavirus pandemic adds to these challenges and exposes existing vulnerabilities. Nonetheless, […] Read more Topics: Economy Research and Impact: Impact May 27, 2020
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing Research and Impact When this is all over: Recovering from Coronavirus ‘When this is all over’ has to be one of the most over-used phrases of the Coronavirus pandemic. But will it, in fact, ever be over? Maybe this is a very sudden but quite short-lived shock. But it seems much more likely that Coronavirus will have lasting long-term effects that leave our economy and society […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities Research and Impact: Impact May 20, 2020
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing Loneliness in Lockdown Prior to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 16% of the Welsh population identified as lonely, and it is known that loneliness and social isolation present significant challenges to public health and well-being. Several Public Service Boards have identified reducing them as a priority for their areas and the Welsh Government released its own Loneliness Strategy in […] Read more Topics: Loneliness April 30, 2020
Reports Community Wellbeing Loneliness in the lockdown Loneliness and social isolation are key challenges to wellbeing. As improving wellbeing continues to be a priority for Welsh policy and public services, tackling loneliness and social isolation will continue to be on the agenda at both the national and local level. The Wales Centre for Public Policy is working to bring local public service providers, […] Read more Topics: Loneliness April 30, 2020
Blog Posts Research and Impact How might lower-ranking officials have a greater impact on policy development than previously assumed? How can small-territory, subnational governments make the most of their position? Subnational governments like the devolved governments in the UK combine some of the opportunities and limitations of the national and the local governments between which they sit. They have some ‘national government’-type responsibilities and resources, like legislative authority and funding powers, although those resources […] Read more Topics: Local government Research and Impact: Methods and approaches April 20, 2020
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Youth homelessness: Moving towards prevention WCPP’s reports on Preventing Youth Homelessness were published in 2018. Since then, we have been working with a range of stakeholders to communicate our key findings and to assist in the move towards a preventative system in Wales. Together with End Youth Homelessness Cymru, we convened an event on the 9th of March to provide […] Read more Topics: Housing and homes Poverty and social exclusion April 9, 2020
Blog Posts Environment and Net Zero Governing the Just Transition In previous blog posts, we’ve considered what a just transition is and what such a transition might look like in Wales. In the final blog post of this series, we consider the potential role of governance in realising a Just Transition in Wales. Government is typically seen as the major authority in directing policy action. […] Read more Topics: Economy Just transition Net zero April 3, 2020
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities What we do and don’t know about ageing better in Wales Recently the Centre invited Dr Anna Dixon, Chief Executive of the What Works Centre for Ageing Better, to visit us and exchange knowledge on ageing better with key stakeholders here in Wales at a roundtable and a public event. In this blog, Dr Martin Hyde, Associate Professor of Gerontology at the Centre for Innovative Ageing, […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities Housing and homes March 30, 2020
Blog Posts Environment and Net Zero Towards a resilient economy In times of economic uncertainty attention often turns to the resilience of economies to shocks and downturns. As we grapple with the likely economic consequences of coronavirus, not to mention the longer-term implications of leaving the European Union, it is no wonder that thoughts turn to how to ensure our economy is resilient to any […] Read more Topics: Economy Just transition March 25, 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 Increasing the impact of the What Works network across the UK This report summarises the learning from an ESRC Strategic Fund project led by the Wales Centre for Public Policy in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast, What Works Scotland, and the Alliance for Useful Evidence. Through a series of summits with policy makers and practitioners featuring evidence from the What Works network, this project aimed to: […] Read more Topics: Employment, work and skills March 10, 2020
Reports Tackling Inequalities International approaches to managing placement provision for children and young people looked after This report presents the findings of a review of the international evidence on approaches to managing placement provision for children and young peopled looked after, identifying key areas for further analysis. We identify five key areas of divergence between the countries studied which would be suitable for further exploration: The balance between reunification and permanence. […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion March 3, 2020
Blog Posts Environment and Net Zero Delivering a Just Transition: What would it look like? In our previous blog we looked at why a just transition could be an equitable means of decarbonising the economy. This post looks in more detail at what this might look like in the Welsh context, and how different approaches to justice can facilitate a just transition. We have argued that a just transition should […] Read more Topics: Economy Just transition Net zero February 26, 2020
Reports Community Wellbeing What do children and young people looked after and their families think about care? Care-experienced children and young people as well as their families have unique perspectives on the care system and incorporating their views into decision-making has a range of wider benefits for commissioners. Moreover, public services in Wales have adopted a Children’s Rights approach based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities February 17, 2020
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Engaging matters: making sure the public have a voice in the future of Welsh health and social care This blog draws on a recent Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) report Public engagement and ‘A Healthier Wales’, co-authored by Paul Worthington, Sarah Quarmby and Dan Bristow from WCPP. The report considers how the commitments to public engagement in A Healthier Wales might be translated into an evidence-informed programme of activity. A Healthier Wales […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities Lived experience February 5, 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
Blog Posts Environment and Net Zero Why a ‘Just Transition’? Decarbonisation and economic justice This is the first in a series of 3 blogs posts on achieving a just transition.This first blog considers what a just transition is, our second what such a transition might look like in Wales, and final blog post considers the potential role of governance in realising a just transition in Wales. Commitments to a net-zero carbon society raise questions […] Read more Topics: Just transition Net zero December 16, 2019
Blog Posts Research and Impact 5 things we learned about procurement The Wales Centre for Public Policy has been exploring the case for a more strategic approach to public procurement for nearly two years. In July 2018 we hosted an event that considered the lessons from the collapse of Carillion. Earlier this year we published reports on contracting, stewardship and public value and on sustainable public […] Read more Topics: Economy Research and Impact: Methods and approaches December 5, 2019
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
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities No fault evictions: Striking a good balance Should landlords be able to evict their tenants without giving a reason? It is a question that is attracting increasing attention in Wales. At the moment, a landlord can break contract with their tenant at any time, provided they give 2 months notice. This is commonly referred to as a ‘no-fault eviction’ or as a […] Read more Topics: Housing and homes November 8, 2019
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing The Preston Model: A panacea for Wales? Procurement is moving up the agenda. In Wales, First Minister Mark Drakeford has advocated reforming procurement and procurement has been suggested as a way to bolster the foundational economy by Deputy Minister Lee Waters. The ‘Preston model’ has frequently been cited as an example of using public procurement for social good. But what is the […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government November 5, 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
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Unleashing the power of public procurement Understandably given the pressure on budgets, the focus is often on procuring public services at the lowest possible cost. But there is a growing recognition of the potential to use public procurement more imaginatively to promote innovation and promote a range of broader social purposes. In Wales we spend around £6 billion pounds annually on […] Read more Topics: Economy October 30, 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
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Is healthcare in Wales really that different? Whenever the UK media discusses the NHS, more often than not it is talking about the NHS in England, rather than all four nations, although it rarely makes that distinction. As the Welsh Government develops plans to change the way that the NHS is governed, we thought it may be timely to reflect on how […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities October 21, 2019
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Tackling Inequalities through Gender Budgeting With the opportunity provided by the Gender Equality Review and the commitment to feminist principles by the Welsh Government, the time is ripe for the Government to step fully into a gender analysis of its budget process. With the framework of the Well-being of Future Generations Act and the implementation of integrated impact assessments, that […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Economy October 21, 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
Reports Tackling Inequalities Gender equality: Learning from Nordic nations This report summarises discussions from a gender equality knowledge exchange, facilitated by Wales Centre for Public Policy, between experts from Nordic nations, Welsh Government ministers and officials, and Chwarae Teg. There is no ‘quick fix’ for gender equality, and nor is there a blueprint for success; it looks different in different nations, and is always […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion September 24, 2019
Reports Tackling Inequalities Tackling inequality through gender budgeting Gender budgeting is an approach to public policy making that puts gender analysis at the heart of budget processes, public finance and economic policy, as a means of advancing gender equality. It is a critical review of how budgetary allocations affect the economic and social opportunities of women and men, and it seeks to restructure […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Local government September 24, 2019
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Male suicide – a silent epidemic 10th September is World Suicide Prevention Day. This annual event aims to raise the awareness of suicide, educate about the causes and warning signs of suicide and reduce the stigma associated with suicide, suicidal behaviour and other mental health problems. According to the World Health Organisation close to 800,000 people die each year as a […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities September 10, 2019
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing Responding to those in difficulty with council tax debt in Wales: what does the evidence show? This blog draws on a recent Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) report ‘Responding to citizens in debt to public services: A rapid evidence review’ co-authored by Sharon Collard from the University of Bristol with Helen Hodges and Paul Worthington from WCPP. It looks at how local authorities and housing associations in Wales might better […] Read more Topics: Local government Poverty and social exclusion July 23, 2019
Blog Posts Research and Impact Welsh Policy and Politics in Unprecedented Times On 24th May 2019, the Wales Centre for Public Policy and the Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research, Data and Methods (WISERD) organised a conference called ‘Welsh Policy and Politics in Unprecedented Times’ which brought together 45 academics, practitioners and policy-makers to discuss present and future challenges facing Wales, notably in relation to Brexit […] Read more Topics: Local government Research and Impact: Methods and approaches July 8, 2019
Reports Environment and Net Zero At the Tipping Point: Welsh Local Government and Austerity This report outlines Welsh councils’ responses to austerity, drawing on interviews with Welsh council leaders, chief executives, finance directors, and external stakeholders. Councils have responded to austerity in three main ways: by making efficiency savings; by reducing the need for council services; and by changing the role played by councils and other stakeholders. There are […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government June 26, 2019
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
Blog Posts Research and Impact Powers and Policy Levers - What works in delivering Welsh Government policies? As Wales marks twenty years of devolution, our latest report, Powers and Policy Levers: What works in delivering Welsh Government policies? presents the findings of a research project into the way that the Welsh Government has used the powers and policy levers available to it. Having outlined the policy context in Wales over the last […] Read more Topics: Local government Research and Impact: Methods and approaches May 17, 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
Reports Community Wellbeing Analysis of the Factors Contributing to the High Rates of Care in Wales On 31st March 2018, there were 6,405 children looked after in Wales, almost 1,900 more children than were looked after in 2006. Over that time Wales has consistently had more children looked after per 10,000 of the population than the rest of the UK, and that gap has widened. Within Wales, while most Local Authorities […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities May 14, 2019
Blog Posts Research and Impact How can governments improve cross-cutting working? Cross cutting working - making sure that different departments and services work effectively with each other - is a constant challenge for all governments, even when they are as comparatively small as the Welsh Government. Last year, we were commissioned by the First Minister to synthesise the evidence on cross-cutting working, and our latest report, […] Read more Topics: Local government Research and Impact: Methods and approaches April 17, 2019
Reports Improving Cross-Cutting Working Cross-cutting working is not new to Wales, and it possesses many of the prerequisites for effective cross-government working. Research shows that cross-cutting working isn’t a panacea or quick fix because it runs counter to the way in which government activity is usually organised and therefore requires high level political commitment backed by significant managerial capacity. […] Read more Topics: Local government April 17, 2019
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
Reports Tackling Inequalities Supporting improvements in health boards Some local health boards in Wales have struggled over several years to deliver satisfactory health services within their existing resources, with one health board in special measures and others receiving additional funding from Welsh Government. This report synthesises expert academic and practitioner knowledge about what is effective in supporting improvement in health boards, either through […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities April 9, 2019
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
Reports Environment and Net Zero Migration in Wales In December 2018, the UK Government published an Immigration White Paper which detailed migration policy after Brexit, and incorporated a number of recommendations from an earlier report by the Migration Advisory Committee. This report discusses the likely impact of these policies on the Welsh economy. Although the proportional reduction in migration will be higher in […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Economy March 18, 2019
Reports Sustainable Public Procurement This paper has been produced at an important juncture in discussion of public procurement in Wales. Procurement services have been criticised by both the Wales Audit Office and the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee, and following a year of consultation, the then Cabinet Secretary for Finance announced the cessation of the National Procurement Service in […] Read more Topics: Local government March 13, 2019
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing Tackling Inequalities How can governments engage with the public about healthcare? One of the projects that the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) currently has on the go looks at ways that governments can engage with the public about healthcare. The Welsh Government’s plan for health and social care “A Healthier Wales” sets out public engagement as a core part of its healthcare approach going forward, […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities March 11, 2019
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing How do we Tackle Loneliness? Evidence on Deprivation and Different Communities This is the third in a three-part blog series on loneliness and isolation in Wales. Part one is here, and part two is here. Here, Suzanna Nesom discusses how loneliness might be tackled for materially deprived people and in different communities, given the available evidence. This series of blogs has been exploring what is known […] Read more Topics: Local government Loneliness March 7, 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
Blog Posts Research and Impact Managing diverse relationships in cross-cutting government This ‘think piece’ builds on my recent presentation to a seminar for senior officials hosted by the Wales Centre for Public Policy which looked at the thorny issue of cross-government working. It isn’t an academic review, and I have deliberately not burdened it with lots of academic references. Instead I’m drawing on practical, interesting and […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Local government Research and Impact: Methods and approaches March 5, 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 Tackling Inequalities Responding to Citizens in Debt to Public Services The First Minister asked the WCPP to explore the evidence around the question ‘How might public services and their contracted partners in Wales better respond to vulnerable debtors, especially those subject to prosecution and prison?’ The report focuses on council tax debt and rent arrears to local authorities and social landlords as key forms of […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion February 28, 2019
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities We need to talk about procurement On 4th February we published a major new report on procurement. Beyond contracting: public service stewardship to maximise public value argues that politicians and chief executives need to use procurement strategically to maximise economic, social and environmental outcomes for their local communities, rather than just going for the lowest cost option. The launch event with […] Read more Topics: Economy February 26, 2019
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing How do we tackle loneliness? Evidence on supporting younger and older people This is the second in a three-part blog series on loneliness and isolation in Wales. The first article can be read here, and the third here. Here, we discuss possible ways to tackle loneliness in younger and older people, given the available evidence. With the Welsh Government planning to launch its Loneliness Strategy by the […] Read more Topics: Local government Loneliness February 19, 2019
Blog Posts Environment and Net Zero Is the future of the economy threatening local taxation? This is the second of our guest blogs expanding on some of the wider tax policy questions that couldn’t all be fully explored within the parameters of our Welsh tax base research last year. Here, Hugo Bessis of the Centre for Cities considers the impact of the rise of automation and high street retail closures […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government February 14, 2019
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing Growing the Welsh tax base through business rates: risks, rewards and trade-offs It has been six months since we published our report examining the risks and opportunities of fiscal devolution to the Welsh tax base. Our discussions with tax policy colleagues in the Welsh Government and experts and academics from across the UK threw up plenty of issues which couldn’t all be fully explored within the parameters […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government February 7, 2019
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing Beyond contracting: public service stewardship to maximise public value In this blog, John Tizard, co-author of our latest report Beyond contracting: public service stewardship to maximise public value, introduces some key issues and arguments. This is part of our series on public procurement – find out more here. The public sector in Wales spends over £6bn per year on the procurement of services, works […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government February 5, 2019
Reports Environment and Net Zero Beyond Contracting: Public Service Stewardship to Maximise Public Value The public sector in Wales spends approximately £6 billion per annum with external suppliers. This represents nearly one third of total devolved expenditure. Approaches to procurement have recently come under critical scrutiny and a new national procurement strategy is currently being developed. Public bodies in Wales need to ensure that their procurement decisions reflect the […] Read more Topics: Economy Employment, work and skills February 4, 2019
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing What does the evidence say about loneliness in Wales? This is the first blog in a three-part series on loneliness and isolation in Wales. Part two is available here, and part three is available here. In this blog, Suzanna Nesom discusses what we know about loneliness as a concept, and what the evidence says about loneliness in Wales. The Welsh Government has committed to […] Read more Topics: Local government Loneliness January 31, 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
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Preventing youth homelessness in Wales To help develop our knowledge about what is currently being done in Wales on the prevention of youth homelessness, I was commissioned by the Wales Centre for Public Policy to carry out an initial mapping exercise of what interventions are in place in each of the 22 Welsh local authorities. In order to structure the […] Read more Topics: Housing and homes Poverty and social exclusion January 11, 2019
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing Collaborative procurement in Wales: Pulling together… but in what direction? Here at the Centre, we’re examining the evidence on public procurement, and aiming to publish some succinct reports in early 2019. Collaborating on procurement – joining forces to pool and strengthen in-house expertise or to access economies of scale – is an emerging theme. So, as part of our research process, we’ve been building a […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Economy Local government December 20, 2018
Blog Posts Environment and Net Zero What’s being done across the world to tackle air pollution? This blog draws on the Wales Centre for Public Policy report, Air quality strategies and technologies: A rapid review of the international evidence, co-authored by Sarah Quarmby, Georgina Santos and Megan Mathias and explores what we know about different ways of cleaning up the air we breathe. What is air quality? Air quality is measured […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities Net zero December 10, 2018
News Tackling Inequalities Prevention better than cure for youth homelessness, finds new report Ending youth homelessness depends on supporting young people at risk through Wales’ schools, hospitals, care services and criminal justice system, according to a new report from the Wales Centre for Public Policy. Responding to the First Minister’s call to eradicate youth homelessness in Wales within the decade, the Centre has worked with homelessness experts from […] Read more Topics: Housing and homes Poverty and social exclusion December 5, 2018
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities 5 Things You Should Know About Gender Equality in Wales The Wales Centre for Public Policy is currently contributing to the Welsh Government’s Gender Equality Review, announced by the First Minister earlier this year with the aim of making Wales a world leader in gender equality Following our report in the summer on International Policy and Practice, we recently held a seminar for members of […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion December 5, 2018
Reports Environment and Net Zero Air Quality Strategies and Technologies Poor air quality negatively affects human health and the environment. For this reason, governments and private sector organisations across the world are developing and trialling a wide range of ways to improve air quality. This report provides a rapid review of the different types of air quality initiatives that exist internationally and offers a brief […] Read more Topics: Energy Net zero November 20, 2018
Reports Tackling Inequalities Promoting 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 Tackling Inequalities Promoting Job Progression in Low Pay Sectors Today, being stuck in low-pay work is a real risk for many. In Wales, about 459,000 workers are employed in low-paying occupations, and almost two-thirds of those are women (Low Pay Commission 2017). The Welsh Government’s Economic Action Plan and Employability Plan aim to tackle poor-quality work - including improving job progression opportunities for workers […] Read more Topics: Employment, work and skills Poverty and social exclusion November 6, 2018
Reports 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
Reports Tackling Inequalities Preventing Youth Homelessness In June 2017, the First Minster announced that he would ask the Wales Centre for Public Policy to contribute research on youth homelessness prevention. An international evidence review, and a supplementary report mapping interventions in Wales, form this contribution. In the context of a global shift towards prevention, the international review identifies evidence-based interventions, promising practices, […] Read more Topics: Housing and homes Poverty and social exclusion October 25, 2018
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Fair work must be about more than who keeps the tips A new law announced by UK prime minister Theresa May will see restaurants in Britain being banned from unfairly taking tips from staff. Ensuring staff keep their tips is certainly a positive move to promote fairness. However, as tips are often used by employees to supplement their low pay, shouldn’t improving quality of work be […] Read more Topics: Economy October 3, 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
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing Working in partnership In this blog, our Senior Research Fellow, Megan Mathias discusses how the Centre draws in expertise to work on Wales’ public policy challenges At the Wales Centre for Public Policy, we’re privileged to work across a vast array of policy areas. For example, right now we’re working on issues as diverse as Wales’ tax base, […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration August 23, 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 Environment and Net Zero Strategies and technologies in improving air quality The project is a rapid review of measures in place worldwide to improve air quality. It indicates the evidence behind different strategies and technologies for addressing air pollution and provides case studies of cities which rank highly for air quality. Read more Topics: Economy Energy Net zero 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
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities How can we enable job progression in low paid sectors? The value that sectors such as care, retail and food add to Wales’ economy, is not widely recognised in the pay packets of the vast majority of their respective workforces. Many employees struggle to make ends meet and gaining experience and training to progress beyond entry level jobs to better paid positions can be particularly […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion August 10, 2018
Blog Posts Learning the lessons from Carillion – thoughts from our panel discussion Many are still struggling to assess what caused Carillion’s spectacular demise, and how it could be prevented in future. It was with this in mind that on Wednesday 4th July the WCPP hosted an expert panel to discuss the lessons to be learnt in Wales from Carillion’s collapse and consider the future of outsourcing in […] Read more Topics: Economy July 26, 2018
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing The income tax base in Wales – who’ll pay what to the Welsh Government? Drawing on the report he co-authored for the Wales Centre for Public Policy, The Welsh Tax Base: Risks and Opportunities after Fiscal Devolution, Guto Ifan of the Wales Governance Centre explores the income tax base in Wales. From next April, the income tax paid by Welsh taxpayers will be partially devolved to the Welsh Government. UK government […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government July 23, 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
News Tackling Inequalities Smacking children no more effective than other forms of discipline says new report Smacking and other forms of physical punishment are no more effective in instilling discipline in children than other parenting techniques, according to a new report by the Wales Centre for Public Policy. ‘Parental Physical Punishment: Child Outcomes and Attitudes’ reviews what’s known about how children are affected by physical punishment. While there are no clear […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities July 19, 2018
Reports Tackling Inequalities 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
Reports Tackling Inequalities What Works in Tackling Rural Poverty The Welsh Government has supported a wide range of programmes to address rural poverty and yet recent estimates suggest that almost a quarter of the rural population of Wales is living in poverty. Continuing pressure on the Welsh Government’s budget combined with the potential loss of EU funding for rural programmes means that it is […] Read more Topics: Local government Poverty and social exclusion July 6, 2018
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
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing Rural poverty: the case of Powys As part of our Rural Poverty series, Dr Greg Thomas (Powys County Council) uses Powys as a case study to explore the issues surrounding rural poverty. Rural poverty is often hidden from public view and belies stereotypical images of rural areas as rolling hillsides and chocolate-box villages. Powys is one such area that experiences […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion June 26, 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
Reports Environment and Net Zero What Works in Tackling Rural Poverty: An Evidence Review of Interventions to Address Fuel Poverty This report explores interventions to tackle fuel poverty in a range of OECD countries about which some reliable evidence about effectiveness exists. The majority of interventions are large-scale government subsidised activities focused on improving the energy efficiency of the housing stock and/or household appliances (in particular hot water and heating boilers). Investment costs of these […] Read more Topics: Energy Poverty and social exclusion June 22, 2018
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
Blog Posts Environment and Net Zero How community-based solutions can improve rural transport in Wales In a guest blog as part of our rural poverty series, Wales Community Transport Association Director Christine Boston explores how community-based solutions could be the key to improving transport in rural Wales. Now the sun is shining, it is hard to remember the extreme bad weather we experienced in the first part of 2018. However, […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Just transition June 18, 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
Blog Posts Community Wellbeing Public Service Boards and wellbeing Public Service Boards (PSBs) across Wales last month published their wellbeing plans, outlining how public services and national bodies intend to work together to improve social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing in localities across Wales. Established under the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act, the PSBs are now putting their plans into action and developing […] Read more Topics: Local government June 12, 2018
Reports Tackling Inequalities What Works in Tackling Rural Poverty: An Evidence Review of Interventions to Improve Access to Services The Welsh Government has supported a wide range of programmes to address rural poverty and yet recent estimates suggest that almost a quarter of the rural population of Wales is living in poverty. The causes of rural poverty are complex and multi-faceted, but access to services is known to be an important contributory factor. This […] Read more Topics: Local government Poverty and social exclusion June 11, 2018
Reports Tackling Inequalities What Works in Tackling Rural Poverty: An Evidence Review of Interventions to Improve Transport in Rural Areas Rural public transport is considered crucial to the development of rural areas, and plays a central role in key groups accessing services, employment, training, and recreation. It is however comparatively expensive to operate and difficult to design in a way that meets the diverse needs of rural communities. The review identifies three overarching approaches to […] Read more Topics: Housing and homes Poverty and social exclusion June 11, 2018
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
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Our part in the Welsh Government Gender Equality Review In a speech on International Women’s Day, 8th March, the First Minister announced a review of "gender and equality policies [to] bring new impetus to our work". The review will consider what is and isn’t working well in Wales, provide a review of international best practice, and recommend how the Welsh Government can better promote […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion May 15, 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
Blog Posts Brexit, Immigration and Wales: Professor Jonathan Portes Vlog Professor Jonathan Portes (King's College London) discusses the implications that Brexit will have on immigration, and what this will mean for Wales. This video was recorded for our event - "What about Wales? The Implications of Brexit for Wales", which took place in London on Tuesday 20th March, 2018. Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Economy March 21, 2018
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Co-production is Key to Designing Successful Health and Employment interventions I was very pleased to read the report from the WCPP and the Institute for Employment Studies which examined how health and employability outcomes could be improved by changing the way in which organisations work together. This is a very timely report as health problems are one of the most significant reasons for people not […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Health inequalities March 20, 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
Blog Posts Environment and Net Zero Brexit and Wales - Land and Sea: Griffin Carpenter Vlog Griffin Carpenter, from the New Economics Foundation, gives a brief overview of his report for the Wales Centre for Public Policy which looked at the implications of Brexit on fishing opportunities in Wales. Read more Topics: Economy Net zero February 20, 2018
Blog Posts Environment and Net Zero Brexit and Wales - Land and Sea: Professor Janet Dwyer Vlog Professor Janet Dwyer, from the Countryside and Community Research Institute, gives a brief overview of her report for the Wales Centre for Public Policy which looked at the implications of Brexit on agriculture, rural areas and land use in Wales. Read more Topics: Economy Net zero February 20, 2018
Reports Environment and Net Zero Implications of Brexit for Fishing Opportunities in Wales This report explores the potential implications of the planned exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union and the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy for fisheries policy in Wales. Analysis of fleet economic performance under various Brexit scenarios reveals that, while the Welsh fishing fleet as a whole could gain, there are large divisions in […] Read more Topics: Economy February 13, 2018
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 Community Wellbeing The Implications of Brexit for Agriculture, Rural Areas and Land Use in Wales This report highlights the challenges and opportunities for agriculture and rural areas in Wales that could result from Brexit. The report’s author, Professor Janet Dwyer, argues that the most likely changes in trading conditions will leave Welsh agriculture in a disadvantaged position compared to its main trading competitors. How key food and forestry processors and […] Read more Topics: Economy Housing and homes January 16, 2018
Reports 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
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Stijn Broecke discusses the OECD’s research into the Future of Work Stijn Broecke, Senior Economist in Employment, Labour and Social Affairs at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), talks about the OECD’s programme of research into the future of work, at our Future of Work in Wales event, held on 1st November 2017. Read more Topics: Economy November 1, 2017
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Matthew Taylor talks about the Future of Work Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA), discusses the RSA's programme for the Future of Work, at our Future of Work in Wales event, on 1st November 2017. Read more Topics: Economy November 1, 2017
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities First Minister Opens the Future of Work in Wales Event The First Minister of Wales, The Right Honourable Carwyn Jones AM, delivers the opening remarks at the inaugural event of the Wales Centre for Public Policy - The Future of Work in Wales. The event took place on 1st November 2017, with speaker including Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Arts, and […] Read more Topics: Economy November 1, 2017
Reports Community Wellbeing Future of Work in Wales The future of work is uncertain, with a wide range of societal changes affecting the labour market. Technological advances and increased connectivity; continued austerity and political uncertainty; demographic and climate change; shifting attitudes to working and more flexible patterns of employment; globalisation and urbanisation all impact on the nature of work. Concerns about the implications […] Read more Topics: Employment, work and skills November 1, 2017
Reports 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
Blog Posts Research and Impact Brexit and Wales: Understanding the Reasons Behind the Welsh Vote On Thursday 30th March, 2017, the PPIW and Knowledge and Analytical Services welcomed colleagues to an evidence symposium which aimed to understand the reasons behind the Welsh vote in 2016's referendum on EU membership. The event featured expert speakers from UK universities and research centres, providing a mix of short presentations with a broader discussion with […] Read more Topics: Economy Research and Impact: Methods and approaches April 6, 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
Blog Posts Research and Impact How Wales is Understood in the UK is a Problem It was recently announced that a new BBC TV channel will broadcast in Scotland from 2018. It will have a budget of £30m, roughly equivalent to that of BBC Four. Alongside that, Scotland will receive more money to make UK-wide programmes. Perhaps the most interesting development is that, included in the new channel’s scheduling is an hour-long […] Read more Topics: Local government Research and Impact: Methods and approaches March 23, 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
Blog Posts Research and Impact What will Brexit mean for Wales? On 23 June, the UK voted to leave the European Union. The process for leaving and the implications for Wales are uncertain, but broadly speaking there are three forms that Brexit could take: Soft Brexit: Retain membership of the single market through the European Economic Area (EEA). The closest type of relationship the UK could have with […] Read more Topics: Economy Research and Impact: Impact July 28, 2016
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Tackling Rural Poverty – Identifying the Causes On a visit to Beijing in 2015 I met the Chinese Vice-Minister for Rural Development. A jovial man, who looked back fondly on the two years he had spent living in Cardiff, he seemed unperturbed by his charge of lifting 36 million Chinese rural residents out of extreme poverty. In comparison, the challenge of addressing […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion July 21, 2016
Blog Posts Environment and Net Zero Rethinking Food Policy as Public Policy in Wales – Now Needed More Than Ever with ‘Brexeat’? It's hard to focus after a political earthquake. The vote to leave the European Union is a political earthquake of the highest magnitude. We are still in a period of many after-shocks. So what to make of this report about Welsh food policy from the Public Policy Institute for Wales that was published just after […] Read more Topics: Economy Health inequalities Net zero July 19, 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
Blog Posts Tackling Inequalities Why We Need Evidence on Poverty Poverty is a long-standing and apparently intractable problem in Wales. Around 23% of population, some 700,000 people, live on household incomes of less than 60% of the median. Poverty casts a long shadow over educational attainment, relationships, employment, health, and life expectancy to name but a few, and it is also a significant cost to […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion March 24, 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 Community Wellbeing Tackling Inequalities Rural Poverty in Wales The Welsh Government has identified Rural Poverty as a priority area for evidence, and our own preliminary analysis of existing research confirmed that there is a need for better evidence to address this important issue. This report looks at the issues surrounding rural poverty. The findings from our initial review revealed that whilst the manifestations […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Poverty and social exclusion January 21, 2016
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 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 The Implications of ‘Small Country Governance’ for Public Services This report was prepared for the Commission on Public Service Governance and Delivery. It examines what is meant by 'small country governance', discusses whether it is a useful concept in Wales, and identifies lessons that might be drawn from international comparators. It addresses four questions that are directly relevant to the Commission’s work: Is the […] Read more Topics: Local government January 17, 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
