Reports Community Wellbeing Environment and Net Zero Tackling Inequalities Success factors for contracting and awarding bus franchising in Wales The Bus Services (Wales) Bill, introduced to the Senedd in March 2025, marks a fundamental change in how bus services are planned and delivered in Wales. It proposes replacing the deregulated model introduced by the 1985 Transport Act with a ‘re-regulated’ system, giving Welsh Ministers and Transport for Wales (TfW) the power to design and commission […] Read more Topics: Net Zero Transport November 5, 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 Welsh Government Spending Review In recent years, governments worldwide have been contending with a complex mixture of fiscal challenges, from responding to exceptional events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, to mounting pressures on public spending from longer-term factors such as population ageing and the climate transition. This has resulted in a renewed international policy focus on fiscal sustainability, as […] Read more Topics: Governance July 30, 2025
Reports Rapid Evidence Review to inform guidance for schools to support trans young people The Welsh Government’s LGBTQ+ Action Plan includes a commitment to providing appropriate national guidance for schools and local authorities to support trans children and young people in education settings. To support the development of this guidance, the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) was asked by the Welsh Government to examine the existing evidence base […] Read more July 30, 2025
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 Building a Welsh probation service Following the recommendations of the Thomas Commission, the Independent Commission on the Constitutional Future of Wales, and the Labour Party Commission on the UK’s Future, the Welsh Government is pursuing the devolution of justice to Wales and believes there is a realistic prospect that some aspects may be devolved soon. As such, they are preparing […] Read more Topics: Local government November 26, 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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: Employment, work and skills 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
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
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 Employment, work and skills December 18, 2023
Reports Community Wellbeing Environment and Net Zero Tackling Inequalities WCPP at 10 Read more December 11, 2023
Reports Environment and Net Zero How could Wales meet energy needs by 2035 while phasing out fossil fuels? The evidence shows that while reaching the 2035 target is achievable, it will require fast and large-scale action in order to provide the necessary level of electricity generation capacity. Decarbonising the electricity system by moving to low- and zero-carbon electricity generation and electrification of heat, transport and industrial processes will be a vital part […] Read more Topics: Energy Net Zero December 5, 2023
Reports Research and Impact Is your policy going to fail? Here’s how you can tell and what you can do about it Policies often fail to achieve their intentions. While much has been written about this, and how to avoid it, knowledge and insight is somewhat siloed. In collaboration with the Centre for Evidence and Implementation, we undertook a review to understand the latest thinking on the policy-implementation gap and identify how insights from implementation science can […] Read more Topics: Local government Research and Impact: Methods and approaches November 13, 2023
Reports Community Wellbeing Defining, Measuring and Monitoring Democratic Health in Wales In Wales, concerns over the health of democracy have long focused on low voter turnout in elections and a lack of political awareness and understanding among the population. However, the issue of democratic health goes wider than this. Are citizens engaged in political issues? Do they have the sources of education and information to allow […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Governance Local government October 18, 2023
Reports Community Wellbeing Blending online and face-to-face provision in community wellbeing services Following often rapid shifts ‘online’ during the coronavirus lockdowns and subsequent returns to in-person activity, community-based wellbeing services across Wales are facing the challenge of how to ‘blend’ digital and face-to-face provision beyond the pandemic. Our research, delivered in collaboration with Frame CIC, aimed to find out more from organisations and practitioners about this, to […] Read more Topics: Local government Loneliness September 22, 2023
Reports Community Wellbeing Multi-agency working in Cwm Taf Morgannwg It has long been recognised that for the most vulnerable children, those at risk of going into care, the services that offer support must be provided in a coordinated and ‘joined-up’ way. This is both because of overlapping problems and needs, with the most frequently cited being the ‘trigger trio’ of substance misuse, domestic abuse, […] Read more Topics: Local government Poverty and social exclusion August 12, 2023
Reports Community Wellbeing Loneliness Inequalities Evidence Review Research evidence shows overwhelmingly that loneliness affects some groups in society more than others and is particularly acute for those who face multiple forms of disadvantage. This suggests that loneliness may be unevenly distributed in society in ways that reflect and interact with broader structural inequalities. Yet the dominant approaches to loneliness in research, policy […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Local government Loneliness August 9, 2023
Reports Environment and Net Zero How could Wales feed itself in 2035? To achieve the Welsh Government’s net zero ambitions, Wales needs to reduce its agricultural emissions through changes to farming practices and increased carbon sequestration, while also sustaining rural livelihoods. The Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) has been given funding by the Welsh Government to provide independent support to the Wales Net Zero 2035 Challenge […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities Net Zero Poverty and social exclusion July 24, 2023
Reports Environment and Net Zero Net zero 2035: Trends and pathways report While reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in Wales have, so far, kept pace with existing targets on the pathway to achieving net zero by 2050, future progress will require substantial changes to the economy and society, with dramatic falls in emissions needed over the next decade. The Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) has been […] Read more Topics: Energy Net Zero June 28, 2023
Reports 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
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
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 Employment, work and skills Housing and homes May 12, 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 Environment and Net Zero Tackling Inequalities 2022 - In Review Welcome to our review of some of the highlights of the Wales Centre for Public Policy’s work in 2022. We have enjoyed another prolific twelve months and are grateful for the opportunities we have had to work with Ministers, public service leaders and colleagues in the civil service on some of the most important policy […] Read more February 23, 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
Reports Research and Impact What counts as evidence for policy? During the Covid-19 pandemic, the refrain of ‘following the science’ became commonplace. But what is meant by evidence can vary according to who is asked, the context, and other factors. We conducted research to analyse the perceptions of Welsh policy actors towards evidence. These perceptions matter because they will impact why evidence is used or […] Read more Research and Impact: The role of KBOs January 26, 2023
Reports Environment and Net Zero Housing stock energy modelling: Towards a model for Wales The combination of increasing global demand for energy and strict carbon emissions targets have made the decision-making process around acquiring and using energy complex. In the context of the net zero by 2050 commitment, the UK and devolved governments are interested in understanding the emissions implications of policy decisions and the interrelationships between decisions in […] Read more Topics: Energy Housing and homes January 13, 2023
Reports Environment and Net Zero International approaches to a Just Transition The Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) was commissioned by the Welsh Government to conduct a review of international approaches to a just transition to help define what is meant by a ‘just transition’ in the Welsh context. The Welsh Government are keen to learn lessons from how other countries have approached a just transition […] Read more Topics: Just Transition December 6, 2022
Reports Tackling Inequalities National Milestones The Wellbeing of Future Generations Act (Wales) 2015 requires Welsh Government Ministers to set National Indicators to measure progress towards the seven national well-being goals, shown in the figure below. On March 16th, 2016, a set of 46 National Indicators were laid. The Act also requires Ministers to lay National Milestones for 2050 which ‘set […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities October 25, 2022
Reports Tackling Inequalities Reducing waiting times in Wales The number of people on NHS Wales waiting lists for treatment has reached record levels. This problem has worsened since the Covid-19 pandemic, with the average wait time for treatment more than doubling since December 2019. Data on waiting times are captured by Local Health Boards and reported to Welsh Government in the form of […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities October 20, 2022
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
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 Employment, work and skills Just Transition August 31, 2022
Reports Community Wellbeing Research and Impact What is the role of evidence in shaping suicide prevention policy in Wales? Suicide is one of the leading causes of death worldwide.¹ Across the globe, 800,000 people die by suicide every year, translating to approximately one suicide death every 40 seconds (WHO, 2021). When considering the number of bereaved family, friends, and communities behind every single one of these deaths, the impact of suicide on our world […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities Local government Research and Impact: PhD interns July 8, 2022
Reports 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 Employment, work and skills Loneliness May 27, 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
Reports Community Wellbeing Children's social services and care rates in Wales: A survey of the sector Wales has seen a rise in both the number and rate of children looked after. The rate is now higher than any time since the 1980s. In addition, Wales has consistently had more children looked after per 10,000 of the population than the rest of the UK. This trend is a cause for concern; particularly […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion March 11, 2022
Reports Community Wellbeing Environment and Net Zero Tackling Inequalities 2021 - In Review This report provides a brief overview of the work we undertook in 2021, with embedded hyperlinks to our full reports. You can download the report below. Welcome to our review of some of the highlights of the Wales Centre for Public Policy’s work in 2021. We enjoyed another productive and prolific year in which […] Read more March 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 Employment, work and skills January 7, 2022
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 Employment, work and skills December 16, 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
Reports Community Wellbeing Stakeholders’ ideas for tackling loneliness in Wales through the pandemic and beyond In July 2021, the Wales Centre for Public Policy worked in partnership with Kaleidoscope Health and Care to run a multifaceted engagement programme involving stakeholders working to tackle loneliness and enhance wellbeing in Wales and beyond. The programme included a two-day digital event (14th and 15th July) and a stakeholder survey. Participants reflected on their […] Read more Topics: Local government Loneliness October 13, 2021
Reports Community Wellbeing Who is lonely in Wales? This series of data insights on loneliness in Wales is based on bespoke analysis of the National Survey for Wales (NSW). It is designed to provide policy makers and public services with a greater understanding of who is lonely and the intersection of different ‘risk factors’ so that funding and interventions to tackle loneliness can […] Read more Topics: Loneliness October 11, 2021
Reports Community Wellbeing Well-being briefings for Public Services Boards Public Services Boards (PSBs) are required by the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 to produce well-being assessments every five years, in line with local authority elections. These assessments should capture the state of well-being in local authority areas, in terms of economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being; and lead to objectives to improve […] Read more Topics: Local government September 30, 2021
Reports Community Wellbeing Multi-agency working and outcomes for children looked after ‘At risk’ children and families will frequently interact with multiple agencies and services. It has been a long-held aspiration that these bodies and the services that they provide are better coordinated and, moreover, centred on the people that they are seeking to help. With other work focusing on the factors that lead to children being […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Poverty and social exclusion September 22, 2021
Reports Community Wellbeing Research and Impact Collaboration and policy implementation at the local level in Wales The United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union will have a considerable impact on the agricultural industry in Wales. Agricultural policy is a devolved matter, for which the Welsh Government is allocated an annual budget by the UK Government; prior to Brexit, this funding was delivered through the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy. In 2021-2022, Wales’ […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Local government Research and Impact: PhD interns June 30, 2021
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
Reports Tackling Inequalities Research and Impact The Welsh Government’s use of policy tools for mainstreaming equalities From the onset of devolution, the Welsh Government has had a statutory duty to mainstream equality of opportunity in all of its activities. Following two decades of variation in prominence on the Governmental agenda, the mainstreaming of equality within the Welsh Government has experienced a renewed interest in recent years. In 2018, then First Minister […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Research and Impact: PhD interns June 9, 2021
Reports Community Wellbeing 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
Reports Community Wellbeing Environment and Net Zero Tackling Inequalities 2020 - In Review This report provides a brief overview of the work we undertook in 2020, with embedded hyperlinks to our full reports. You can download the report below. 2020 was the year when ‘following the science’ became a matter of life or death. Here at the Wales Centre for Public Policy we worked tirelessly with ministers […] Read more March 23, 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 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 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
Reports Environment and Net Zero Achieving a just transition in Wales With ten years left to avoid a climate system breakdown as cautioned by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the need for decarbonising our economies has never been more urgent. Decarbonisation is a major policy challenge with the Welsh Government stating its ambition for a target of a 95% reduction in emissions by 2050. […] Read more Topics: Economy Energy Net Zero January 27, 2021
Reports Environment and Net Zero The implications of the European transition for key Welsh economic sectors Following its exit from the EU, the UK Government has started to negotiate free trade agreements with the EU and with other countries around the world. The negotiations and their outcomes will have a profound impact on the Welsh economy, as a whole and individually for key sectors. The Counsel General and Minister for European […] Read more Topics: Economy December 17, 2020
Reports Community Wellbeing Designing technology-enabled services to tackle loneliness Tackling loneliness was a priority for Welsh Government and public services across Wales before the Coronavirus pandemic and has become a greater concern since. The policy response of governments across the world that are dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic has focused on us all keeping a physical distance from others. There is growing concern about […] Read more Topics: Loneliness December 14, 2020
Reports 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
Reports Community Wellbeing Alternative models of domiciliary care Domiciliary care providers and markets are facing a range of challenges as a result of changing population demographics and funding pressures, which produce market fragility and workforce shortages. Alternative models of domiciliary care are being explored in Wales and elsewhere as possible responses to these challenges. The Coronavirus pandemic has placed additional pressure on social […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities December 3, 2020
Reports Post-Brexit migration and Wales This report analyses the potential impacts of post-Brexit migration policies on Wales’ labour market, population and society, and identifies ways in which the Welsh Government might respond to the opportunities and challenges that this presents. Ending free movement will have a significant impact on population change in Wales, which has been more reliant on non-UK […] Read more Topics: Economy November 30, 2020
Reports 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
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 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
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 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
Reports Tackling Inequalities Children looked after in Wales On 31st March 2019, there were 6,845 children looked after in Wales, a further increase of 440 compared to the previous year. As a result, the gap between the rate of children looked after in Wales compared to other parts of the UK has continued to widen. Within Wales, while most Local Authorities have seen […] Read more Topics: Loneliness Poverty and social exclusion September 9, 2020
Reports Environment and Net Zero Policy options for Welsh fishing opportunities The current size and performance of the Welsh fishing industry, as well as the policy context of the Well-being of Future Generations Act and Environment Act, all provide important context for thinking through what a successful industry fishing can look like in Wales post-Brexit. Attempts have been made to strengthen fisheries management, particularly at a […] Read more Topics: Energy September 2, 2020
Reports Community Wellbeing 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
Reports Community Wellbeing Loneliness in the lockdown Loneliness and social isolation are key challenges to wellbeing. As improving wellbeing continues to be a priority for Welsh policy and public services, tackling loneliness and social isolation will continue to be on the agenda at both the national and local level. The Wales Centre for Public Policy is working to bring local public service providers, […] Read more Topics: Loneliness April 30, 2020
Reports 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 Employment, work and skills March 10, 2020
Reports Community Wellbeing Environment and Net Zero Tackling Inequalities 2019 - In Review This report provides a brief overview of the work we undertook in 2019, with embedded hyperlinks to our full reports. You can download the report below. 2019 was marked by political uncertainty and polarised policy debates. This made it important that policy makers and public services could access reliable independent evidence about what works. […] Read more March 5, 2020
Reports Tackling Inequalities International approaches to managing placement provision for children and young people looked after This report presents the findings of a review of the international evidence on approaches to managing placement provision for children and young peopled looked after, identifying key areas for further analysis. We identify five key areas of divergence between the countries studied which would be suitable for further exploration: The balance between reunification and permanence. […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion March 3, 2020
Reports Community Wellbeing What do children and young people looked after and their families think about care? Care-experienced children and young people as well as their families have unique perspectives on the care system and incorporating their views into decision-making has a range of wider benefits for commissioners. Moreover, public services in Wales have adopted a Children’s Rights approach based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities February 17, 2020
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
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
Reports Environment and Net Zero Achieving a prosperous economy: insights from other nations and regions This report summarises the evidence from approaches that have improved economic performance in a selection of areas in the UK and Europe. Identifying areas comparable with Wales can be problematic, as it is neither possible nor practical to find exact matches in terms of economic histories or trajectories. Nonetheless, we believe that looking at other […] Read more Topics: Economy October 24, 2019
Reports Environment and Net Zero The Value of Trade Unions in Wales Trade unions are an integral part of the Welsh Government’s social partnership model, and more broadly an essential part of the economic and social landscape in Wales and across the world. The Wales TUC commissioned the Wales Centre for Public Policy to consider the evidence on the value of trade unions in Wales, and how […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government October 16, 2019
Reports Tackling Inequalities Gender Equality - Learning from Nordic Nations This report summarises discussions from a gender equality knowledge exchange, facilitated by Wales Centre for Public Policy, between experts from Nordic nations, Welsh Government ministers and officials, and Chwarae Teg. There is no ‘quick fix’ for gender equality, and nor is there a blueprint for success; it looks different in different nations, and is always […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion September 24, 2019
Reports Tackling Inequalities Tackling Inequality through Gender Budgeting Gender budgeting is an approach to public policy making that puts gender analysis at the heart of budget processes, public finance and economic policy, as a means of advancing gender equality. It is a critical review of how budgetary allocations affect the economic and social opportunities of women and men, and it seeks to restructure […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Local government September 24, 2019
Reports Environment and Net Zero At the Tipping Point: Welsh Local Government and Austerity This report outlines Welsh councils’ responses to austerity, drawing on interviews with Welsh council leaders, chief executives, finance directors, and external stakeholders. Councils have responded to austerity in three main ways: by making efficiency savings; by reducing the need for council services; and by changing the role played by councils and other stakeholders. There are […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government June 26, 2019
Reports 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
Reports Improving Cross-Cutting Working Cross-cutting working is not new to Wales, and it possesses many of the prerequisites for effective cross-government working. Research shows that cross-cutting working isn’t a panacea or quick fix because it runs counter to the way in which government activity is usually organised and therefore requires high level political commitment backed by significant managerial capacity. […] Read more Topics: Local government April 17, 2019
Reports Tackling Inequalities Supporting Improvements in Health Boards Some local health boards in Wales have struggled over several years to deliver satisfactory health services within their existing resources, with one health board in special measures and others receiving additional funding from Welsh Government. This report synthesises expert academic and practitioner knowledge about what is effective in supporting improvement in health boards, either through […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities April 9, 2019
Reports Environment and Net Zero Migration in Wales In December 2018, the UK Government published an Immigration White Paper which detailed migration policy after Brexit, and incorporated a number of recommendations from an earlier report by the Migration Advisory Committee. This report discusses the likely impact of these policies on the Welsh economy. Although the proportional reduction in migration will be higher in […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Economy March 18, 2019
Reports Sustainable Public Procurement This paper has been produced at an important juncture in discussion of public procurement in Wales. Procurement services have been criticised by both the Wales Audit Office and the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee, and following a year of consultation, the then Cabinet Secretary for Finance announced the cessation of the National Procurement Service in […] Read more Topics: Local government March 13, 2019
Reports Tackling Inequalities Responding to Citizens in Debt to Public Services The First Minister asked the WCPP to explore the evidence around the question ‘How might public services and their contracted partners in Wales better respond to vulnerable debtors, especially those subject to prosecution and prison?’ The report focuses on council tax debt and rent arrears to local authorities and social landlords as key forms of […] Read more Topics: Poverty and social exclusion February 28, 2019
Reports Environment and Net Zero Beyond Contracting: Public Service Stewardship to Maximise Public Value The public sector in Wales spends approximately £6 billion per annum with external suppliers. This represents nearly one third of total devolved expenditure. Approaches to procurement have recently come under critical scrutiny and a new national procurement strategy is currently being developed. Public bodies in Wales need to ensure that their procurement decisions reflect the […] Read more Topics: Economy Employment Employment, work and skills February 4, 2019
Reports Integrated Early Years Systems This report provides an overview of available international evidence on integrated early years systems. It analyses the early years systems in Belgium, Denmark, Estonia and the Netherlands and explores the means by which system change has been achieved. Most countries are in the process of creating their integrated early years system, with no one country […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration January 14, 2019
Reports 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
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 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
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
Reports Evidence for Good Charities are becoming increasingly sophisticated about how they gather evidence of impact, and there are many great guides and tools out there to help them do so. But there are other ways that the third sector can use evidence to increase its effectiveness and amplify its voice. In this report, published with the Alliance for Useful […] Read more Topics: Local government July 23, 2018
Reports 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
Reports The Welsh Tax Base: Risks and Opportunities after Fiscal Devolution Under the new Fiscal Framework and devolution of some tax powers, from April 2019, the Welsh Government and local authorities will control nearly £5 billion of tax revenues, equivalent to roughly 30 per cent of their combined current spending. In this report we have worked with the Wales Governance Centre at Cardiff University to examine […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government July 2, 2018
Reports Community Wellbeing What Works in Tackling Rural Poverty: An Evidence Review of Economic Interventions The lack of economic opportunities, job insecurity and low wages are important causes of rural poverty in many parts of Wales. This report examines the effectiveness of approaches to strengthening rural economies drawing on evaluations of interventions in a range of OECD countries. It identifies four main approaches: large scale, area-wide strategic development programmes; loan […] Read more Topics: Economy Poverty and social exclusion June 25, 2018
Reports Environment and Net Zero What Works in Tackling Rural Poverty: An Evidence Review of Interventions to Address Fuel Poverty This report explores interventions to tackle fuel poverty in a range of OECD countries about which some reliable evidence about effectiveness exists. The majority of interventions are large-scale government subsidised activities focused on improving the energy efficiency of the housing stock and/or household appliances (in particular hot water and heating boilers). Investment costs of these […] Read more Topics: Energy Poverty and social exclusion June 22, 2018
Reports 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
Reports Tackling Inequalities What Works in Tackling Rural Poverty: An Evidence Review of Interventions to Improve Access to Services The Welsh Government has supported a wide range of programmes to address rural poverty and yet recent estimates suggest that almost a quarter of the rural population of Wales is living in poverty. The causes of rural poverty are complex and multi-faceted, but access to services is known to be an important contributory factor. This […] Read more Topics: Local government Poverty and social exclusion June 11, 2018
Reports Tackling Inequalities What Works in Tackling Rural Poverty: An Evidence Review of Interventions to Improve Transport in Rural Areas Rural public transport is considered crucial to the development of rural areas, and plays a central role in key groups accessing services, employment, training, and recreation. It is however comparatively expensive to operate and difficult to design in a way that meets the diverse needs of rural communities. The review identifies three overarching approaches to […] Read more Topics: Housing and homes Poverty and social exclusion June 11, 2018
Reports 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
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 Employment, work and skills Health inequalities February 28, 2018
Reports Environment and Net Zero Implications of Brexit for Fishing Opportunities in Wales This report explores the potential implications of the planned exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union and the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy for fisheries policy in Wales. Analysis of fleet economic performance under various Brexit scenarios reveals that, while the Welsh fishing fleet as a whole could gain, there are large divisions in […] Read more Topics: Economy February 13, 2018
Reports 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 Employment, work and skills Poverty and social exclusion December 18, 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 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 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 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 Employment, work and skills April 7, 2017
Reports Environment and Net Zero Improving Job Quality in Growth Sectors This report, published by the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW), explores ways of improving job quality. The study, written by Professor Anne Green, Dr Paul Sissons, and Dr Neil Lee, found that while job quality should be a critical issue for policymakers there is a lack of empirical evidence from approaches seeking to enhance […] Read more Topics: Economy Employment Employment, work and skills April 5, 2017
Reports Tackling Inequalities Harnessing Growth Sectors for Poverty Reduction This report considers how growth sectors can reduce poverty by providing high quality jobs and opportunities for career progression. Based on research funded by the ESRC and undertaken by Professor Anne Green, Dr Paul Sissons and Dr Neil Lee, the report finds that some growth sectors – such as accommodation and food services, residential care, […] Read more Topics: Employment 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 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 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 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 Employment, work and skills September 5, 2016
Reports Tackling Inequalities Breaking the Cycle: What Works in Reducing Intergenerational Worklessness and Fragile Employment The Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) worked with experts from the Institute for Employment Research at University of Warwick to review the effectiveness of policies to tackle intergenerational worklessness and fragile employment. Its research suggests that intergenerational worklessness (defined as households in which three generations have not been employed) is unlikely to be widespread […] Read more Topics: Employment Employment, work and skills July 12, 2016
Reports Environment and Net Zero Driving Public Service Transformation and Innovation through the Invest to Save Fund This report by the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) provides advice on how the Welsh Government could use its Invest to Save Fund more strategically to drive transformation and innovation across public services. To address this, we undertook in-house research and convened an expert workshop, bringing together experts in public service innovation, and representatives […] Read more Topics: Local government July 1, 2016
Reports Environment and Net Zero Food Policy as Public Policy The former Minister for Natural Resources and the former Deputy Minister for Farming and Food asked the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) to provide advice on whether the Welsh Government’s Food Strategy was sufficiently comprehensive and up to date. The PPIW worked with two of the UK’s leading experts on food policy – Professor […] Read more Topics: Economy June 27, 2016
Reports Tackling Inequalities Increasing the Role of Social Business Models in the Health and Social Care in Wales This report by the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) reviews the evidence on ways of increasing the role which Social Business Models (SBMs) can play in the provision of health and social care. We worked with experts from Birmingham University to review evidence from other parts of the UK and Europe. Our report concludes […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities June 8, 2016
Reports Community Wellbeing De-escalating Interventions for Troubled Adolescents This report by the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) provides advice on the potential to de-escalate interventions in the lives of troubled adolescents. To address this we reviewed research and evidence from youth justice, mental health services and social services, gathered through a workshop and one-to-one discussions with researchers and practitioners with expertise in […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Loneliness Poverty and social exclusion May 27, 2016
Reports Tackling Inequalities Increasing the Use of School Facilities The Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) worked with Professor Alan Dyson and Dr Kirstin Kerr (University of Manchester) to analyse the international evidence about the potential for using school facilities outside school hours and term times, and with Ian Bottrill (Learning for Leadership Cymru) and Pam Boyd (ShawBoyd Associates) to review existing good practice in […] Read more Topics: Education inequalities April 4, 2016
Reports Improving Impact Assessments The First Minister asked the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) to provide advice on improving the Welsh Government’s Impact Assessment (IA) processes. IAs were highlighted by officials as being in need of improvement as part of the Permanent Secretary’s ‘Reducing Complexity’ Programme. Internal work made progress, but pointed to deeper issues that needed to […] Read more Topics: Local government April 1, 2016
Reports Community Wellbeing Promoting Emotional Health, Well-being and Resilience in Primary Schools The Minister for Education and Skills asked the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) to provide expert advice on ‘what works’ in building the emotional resilience of children in primary schools in Wales and what the Welsh Government might do to support this. The PPIW worked with Professor Robin Banerjee and Professor Colleen McLaughlin from […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Loneliness February 29, 2016
Reports Tackling Inequalities Childcare Policy Options for Wales The First Minister asked the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) for independent advice on the development of options for extending support for childcare in Wales; and, in particular, the potential impact of extending the Welsh Government’s provision of free childcare for three to four year olds. The PPIW worked with Dr Gillian Paull (Frontier […] Read more Topics: Education inequalities February 24, 2016
Reports Tackling Inequalities Increasing Understanding and Uptake of Advance Decisions to Refuse Treatment in Wales The Minister for Health and Social Services asked the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) to provide independent advice on how to increase the understanding and uptake of Advance Decisions in Wales. The PPIW has worked closely with Professor Jenny Kitzinger (Cardiff University) and Professor Celia Kitzinger (University of York) to examine the literature and […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities Lived experience February 7, 2016
Reports Maximising the Economic Benefits of the Welsh Government’s Investment in Cardiff and St. Athan Airports This report by the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) examines the ways to maximise the economic impact of the Welsh Governments investment in Cardiff and St Athan airports. Importantly this request was to explore how to maximise the economic impact outside of the airports and not simply focus on the airports themselves. We worked […] Read more Topics: Economy February 1, 2016
Reports Tackling Inequalities Effective Pupil Support in Secondary Schools This report from the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) delivers advice on the best ways to provide effective pupil support in secondary schools. In response to this request, we held an expert workshop in November 2015 attended by academics, practitioners, Welsh Government officials from a range of departments and the Minister for Education and […] Read more Topics: Education inequalities January 26, 2016
Reports 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 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 Employment, work and skills Just Transition January 11, 2016
Reports Community Wellbeing Coping with the Cuts: Lessons from English Councils’ Responses to Budget Reductions This report by the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) analyses the impact of reductions in central government funding for councils in England and to identify potential lessons for Welsh local government. This report provides an overview of the impact of budget reductions in England and a thematic analysis of the strategies used by councils […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government December 10, 2015
Reports Tackling Inequalities The Potential Role of the Private Rented Sector in Wales This report by the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) analyses the growth in the private rented sector (PRS) over the last decade. The shift towards private renting is the largest structural change in the Welsh housing market for at least two generations. Between 2001 and 2013, the private rented sector more than doubled in […] Read more Topics: Economy Housing and homes November 9, 2015
Reports Tackling Inequalities The Care Home Market in Wales: Mapping the Sector This report by the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) provides advice on the resilience of the Care Home Sector in Wales. We worked with the Institute of Public Care (IPC) to analyse current provision using statistical data and telephone interviews with experts. Their report finds considerable variations across Wales with some councils managing care […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities Housing and homes November 4, 2015
Reports Tackling Inequalities Provision for Young Care Leavers at Risk of Homelessness Following a request from the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) commissioned Anna Whalen to provide advice and analysis on the provision for young care leavers who are at risk of becoming homeless in Wales. The report identifies that the effectiveness of joint working between Housing and Children’s […] Read more Topics: Housing and homes Poverty and social exclusion November 2, 2015
Reports Community Wellbeing Research and Impact Measuring Progress on Well-being: The Development of National Indicators This report from the Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) provides advice to the Welsh Government on the development of a set of National Indicators to measure progress towards the future well-being of Wales. The National Indicators are a key part of the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. The overarching aim of the Act […] Read more Research and Impact: Impact October 19, 2015
Reports Tackling Inequalities Evaluating the Contribution the Supporting People Programme makes to Preventing and Tackling Homelessness This report by the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) considers how the contribution the Supporting People programme makes to preventing and tackling homelessness might be evaluated. Drawing on previous evaluations of the Supporting People programme and prevention of homelessness in Wales and beyond, as well as discussions with key informants, the report sets out […] Read more Topics: Housing and homes Poverty and social exclusion October 12, 2015
Reports Tackling Inequalities Future Need and Demand for Housing in Wales Following a request from the Welsh Government, the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) commissioned the late Alan Holmans to formulate a new estimate of the need and demand for housing in Wales over the period 2011 to 2031. This report presents the findings of this work. Two estimates are presented – one based on […] Read more Topics: Housing and homes October 9, 2015
Reports Research and Impact Connection, Coherence and Capacity: Policy Making in Smaller Countries The William Plowden Fellowship supports short research projects looking at issues of governance and public policy. Under its auspices, Tamlyn Rabey, a civil servant at the Welsh Government, has undertaken a study of policy making in smaller countries. The study found that there are significant advantages in relation to policy making from working at the […] Read more Topics: Local government Research and Impact: Methods and approaches October 6, 2015
Reports Tackling Inequalities Quantifying the Benefits of Early Intervention in Wales PROJECT STAFF: Leon Feinstein (Early Intervention Foundation) This report by the Public Policy Institute For Wales (PPIW) quantifies the benefits of early intervention programmes in Wales; and, in particular, Flying Start and Families First. The resulting report outlines how Wales provides a model of what can be achieved by a devolved administration, which English regions […] Read more Topics: Education inequalities September 29, 2015
Reports Tackling Inequalities Meeting the Housing Needs of an Ageing Population This report by the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) presents a series of recommendations on the challenges that population ageing poses for housing needs in Wales and what the Welsh Government might do to meet them. The report follows a Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) evidence review on the current state of older […] Read more Topics: Health inequalities Housing and homes September 28, 2015
Reports Research and Impact Comparing Council Performance: The Feasibility of Cross-National Comparisons within the UK For this report the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) commissioned experts at the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) to assess the feasibility of comparing the performance of Welsh, English and Scottish Councils. Their report identifies a series of indicators that provide a basis for reliable comparisons of expenditure and performance at […] Read more Topics: Local government Research and Impact: Methods and approaches September 10, 2015
Reports Tackling Inequalities The Role of CPD in Closing the Attainment Gap Following a request from the Minister for Education and Skills, the Public Policy Institute for Wales (PPIW) commissioned leading expert Professor Chris Day to undertake a detailed study of the role of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) in closing the gap in educational attainment. The report states that whilst CPD is important in addressing the attainment […] Read more Topics: Education inequalities Employment 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
