Blog Post 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
Blog Post 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
Blog Post 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
Blog Post Tackling Inequalities Methods 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 Post 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
Blog Post 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
Blog Post 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
Blog Post 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
Blog Post 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
Blog Post 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
