Project Environment and Net Zero Domestic Retrofit: Driving Green Growth and Social Equity The transition to net zero presents a critical opportunity to reconsider the way in which our economy operates, especially in the context of stagnating productivity and economic growth in recent years. This project will focus on the housing sector and will explore the evidence for investment in retrofit being a mechanism through which wider benefits […] Read more Topics: Economy August 8, 2025
Blog Post Environment and Net Zero Overcoming the challenges of financing retrofit in the UK: A pathway to net zero Wales and the UK face a significant challenge in ramping up retrofit delivery to meet net zero, fuel poverty and health goals. Currently, across the UK, we retrofit around 250,000 homes per year, but to meet our targets, we need to increase this to 1.5 million homes annually by 2035. This sixfold increase is critical […] Read more Topics: Economy Energy Net Zero December 12, 2024
Report 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: Economy Loneliness November 19, 2024
Blog Post Environment and Net Zero Tackling Inequalities Navigating farming futures How can farmers go ‘Green’ if they are in the ‘Red’? Following Brexit and the introduction of the UK Domestic Agricultural Policy, the UK farming sector faces substantial uncertainty. This blog explores some economic, social, and environmental impacts of these changes in Wales, with a particular emphasis on the emerging issue of poverty among farming […] Read more Topics: Economy Net Zero May 31, 2024
Blog Post Environment and Net Zero Towards a green economy: building on Wales’ legislative foundation There is much talk about the scale and pace of change that is needed to move towards net zero in Wales. The changes are equally important for a prosperous economy as well as a green economy, as we discussed in our evidence paper for the Senedd’s Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee. There are important […] Read more Topics: Economy Net Zero May 13, 2024
Blog Post Research and Impact How to improve regional productivity levers in England and Wales How to improve regional productivity levers in England and Wales As winners of the 2024 Award for the Best Paper published in Regional Studies Policy Debates, Helen Tilley, Jack Newman, Charlotte Hoole, Andrew Connell, and Ananya Mukherjee discuss the winning paper. They argue that UK regions lack the policy levers they need to improve productivity […] Read more Topics: Economy Research and Impact: Methods and approaches April 17, 2024
News Tackling Inequalities Policy mix needed to stem economic impact of population decline With Wales’ working age population ageing and in decline, the Wales Centre for Public Policy has reviewed international approaches to this trend and found that a mix of policies to increase fertility and encourage population retention and attraction could help minimise a major economic challenge. Trends in fertility and mortality in Wales have resulted in […] Read more Topics: Economy December 18, 2023
Report 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
Project Tackling Inequalities International approaches to population ageing and decline Trends in fertility and mortality have resulted in an increasing excess of deaths over birth since 2015/16 in Wales. The Total Fertility Rate in Wales fell below the replacement rate (of 2.1) in 1974 and has remained there since, standing at just 1.5 births per woman in 2021. Based on past trends, the Welsh population […] Read more Topics: Economy Employment, work and skills November 8, 2023
Blog Post Environment and Net Zero Tackling Inequalities How can Wales feed itself in the biodiverse, carbon-neutral world of the future? WWF Cymru Policy and Advocacy Manager Alexander Phillips has responded to our recent report: How could Wales feed itself by 2035? As the effects of climate change and biodiversity loss become increasingly apparent around the globe, the question of ‘how could Wales feed itself in 2035’ and beyond is easily one of the most important […] Read more Topics: Economy Energy Net Zero October 16, 2023
Blog Post Community Wellbeing Investment in councils, investment in communities I was invited to speak to the WLGA conference about “investment in councils, investment in communities”, and what follows is a very slightly abridged version of my comments on that topic; outlining how evidence can support councils in navigating the challenging situation they face. The multiple challenges facing councils The theme of this session is […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Economy Local government October 9, 2023
Blog Post Environment and Net Zero The benefits of Welsh diet change for our health, climate and pockets Reducing emissions from agriculture remains one of the biggest barriers on Wales’ pathway to net zero. Progress has been limited in recent years and while ‘supply-side’ changes to farming practices are necessary, these alone will not be sufficient to achieve significant falls in agricultural emissions. There needs to be ‘demand-side’ change in the behaviour of […] Read more Topics: Economy Net Zero July 24, 2023
Blog Post Tackling Inequalities Research and Impact A Revolution by Stealth? Basic Income Experiments Proliferate In this guest blog on basic income, Professor Guy Standing looks at the growing number of basic income trials and pilots around the world, and the evidence gained from them. At the moment, pioneered by the First Minister, Mark Drakeford, the Welsh Government is piloting a basic income for all those leaving care at age […] Read more Topics: Economy Poverty and social exclusion Research and Impact: Methods and approaches July 19, 2023
Blog Post Tackling Inequalities Basic income: What is it and what it isn’t In this guest blog, Dr Francine Mestrum looks at three different forms of basic income - a universal basic income, a basic income for those who need it, and a universal dividend – and assesses their potential to achieve social justice. When starting a discussion on ‘basic income’ it is crucial to first clear the […] Read more Topics: Economy Poverty and social exclusion July 17, 2023
News Tackling Inequalities Not everybody wants a goat! Five key takeaways from Wales’ basic income pilot The Welsh Government is currently among a small but growing group of governments world-wide testing out the benefits of a basic income scheme. The Basic Income for Care Leavers in Wales Pilot is currently supporting 500 young people leaving care with an income of £1280 (after tax) per month for three years. In England, think […] Read more Topics: Economy Poverty and social exclusion June 19, 2023
Blog Post Tackling Inequalities Not everybody wants a goat! Five takeaways from our conference on Wales' basic income pilot. There is much hope and enthusiasm for the idea of a basic income around the world and, close to home, the Basic Income for Care Leavers in Wales Pilot is supporting 500 young people leaving care with an income of £1280 (after tax) per month […] Read more Topics: Economy Poverty and social exclusion June 19, 2023
Blog Post Tackling Inequalities What works to tackle poverty? Experimenting with a Basic Income in Wales The current ‘cost of living crisis’ has highlighted the urgency of identifying and developing effective approaches to tackling poverty, an objective which underpinned the poverty review which we delivered for the Welsh Government in September 2022. Over the last year, there has been a 69% rise in the number of people experiencing food insecurity in […] Read more Topics: Economy Poverty and social exclusion December 15, 2022
Blog Post Tackling Inequalities Running on empty: why we need reform in the cost-of-living crisis During the initial months of the pandemic, when various protections were in place – such as the £20 per week uplift to Universal Credit – the number of people who sought help from Citizens Advice on debt problems dropped significantly. Since October 2021, however, when many of these protections came to an end and energy […] Read more Topics: Economy Poverty and social exclusion September 27, 2022
Blog Post Tackling Inequalities Research and Impact A matter of costs For decades, poverty has been measured by a household’s income relative to that of others. Although adjustments are made for housing costs and household size, the key metric is the amount of cash coming into a household. Public policy on poverty has followed this focus on household incomes. At UK level, the key levers for […] Read more Topics: Economy Research and Impact: Methods and approaches September 27, 2022
Report 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
Report 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
Blog Post Environment and Net Zero Tackling Inequalities Research and Impact Infrastructure requirements for Wales to transition to a prosperous, sustainable economy Understanding wealth and wellbeing The twenty-first century will not be like the twentieth. Most obviously, the economy of the future will be low-carbon, more efficient, less reliant on fossil fuels and highly digitised. It will need to forgo dangerous depletion of natural resources, in particular the renewable kind, such as forests, fisheries and ecosystems that […] Read more Topics: Economy Net Zero Research and Impact: Other/developing local evidence use infrastructure May 24, 2022
Blog Post Community Wellbeing ‘Levelling Up’: continuing the conversation ‘Levelling Up’ - used here to refer to the wider UK Government policy agenda rather than the specific Levelling Up funding stream - is predominantly about tackling place-based economic inequality, economic development, and productivity. As set out in our previous WCPP blog, this is a conversation that is critical for Wales. Whilst ‘Levelling Up’ seeks […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government March 14, 2022
Blog Post Community Wellbeing ‘Levelling Up’: a critical conversation for Wales What does ‘levelling up’ mean in practice for Wales? While debate around the definition continues, the long awaited White Paper has now been published. However, questions remain around how results will be achieved. At the IWA Economy Summit in November Vaughan Gething MS, the Welsh Minister for Economy, commented that levelling up might be framed […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government March 1, 2022
Project Environment and Net Zero Decarbonising Wales: Energy, Industry, Land Following the Welsh Government’s pledge to meet net zero emissions by 2050 and the outcome of the COP26 conference in Glasgow, it is clear that efforts to decarbonise our economy and society will be ever more important to public policy and debate in the years and decades to come. But while we know where we […] Read more Topics: Economy Energy Net Zero November 17, 2021
Project Tackling Inequalities Supporting the Welsh lifelong learning system Plans in Wales for a new Commission for Tertiary Education and Research, and the introduction of the Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Bill to the Senedd, represent a shake-up to how higher and further education is governed and organised in Wales. As part of this, the WCPP have been asked to contribute a review of […] Read more Topics: Economy Education inequalities November 17, 2021
Blog Post Environment and Net Zero The future of Wales’ farming policy The Welsh Government is currently developing agricultural policy proposals which aim to support farmers in adopting sustainable farming practices. Their intentions for primary legislation can be found in the Agriculture (Wales) White Paper, for which consultations closed in March 2021. Their intention is for the Bill to ‘be informed by the best available evidence’ from […] Read more Topics: Economy Net Zero June 30, 2021
Blog Post Research and Impact Five years on from the Brexit referendum Five years ago today the UK voted to leave the European Union (EU), a process which culminated in the beginning of a new trade relationship with the EU from January 1st of this year. WCPP and our predecessor organisation PPIW have been engaged with understanding the implications of Brexit for Wales throughout this period. We […] Read more Topics: Economy Research and Impact: Impact June 23, 2021
Blog Post Tackling Inequalities Zoomshock: Is remote working the future of the Welsh economy? The Welsh Government has recently announced a ‘long-term ambition to see around 30% of Welsh workers working from home or near from home, including after the threat of Covid-19 lessens’. The shift to remote working during the Coronavirus pandemic has led to what some experts are describing as a ‘Zoomshock’, whereby economic activity moves from […] Read more Topics: Economy Employment work and skills May 14, 2021
Report 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
Report 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
Report Environment and Net Zero Achieving a just transition in Wales With ten years left to avoid a climate system breakdown as cautioned by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the need for decarbonising our economies has never been more urgent. Decarbonisation is a major policy challenge with the Welsh Government stating its ambition for a target of a 95% reduction in emissions by 2050. […] Read more Topics: Economy Energy Net Zero January 27, 2021
Blog Post Tackling Inequalities Post-Brexit Migration and Wales: Potential impacts of the new system and recommendations on the priorities for influencing UK immigration policy. Following the end of free movement on 31st December 2020, thinking turns not only to the impacts of the new immigration system, but also to how devolved nations can seek to respond to these changes. A recent report by Dr Eve Hepburn and Professor David Bell for the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) provides […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Economy January 15, 2021
News End of Brexit transition period marks “period of significant disruption” for Welsh economy Businesses in some key sectors of the Welsh economy need increased support to operate beyond the Brexit transition period. A report from the Wales Centre for Public Policy concludes that businesses could face “a period of significant disruption” from 1 January, with longer term adjustments including investment in cross sector innovation and research and development […] Read more Topics: Economy December 17, 2020
News Diwedd cyfnod pontio Brexit yn nodi “cyfnod o aflonyddwch sylweddol” i economi Cymru Read more Topics: Economy December 17, 2020
Report 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
Project Remote working and the Welsh economy The Welsh economy is experiencing a profound and unprecedented shock as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. One of the consequences of lockdowns and public health restrictions has been requiring people to work from home where they are able to. UK data suggests that while just 5 per cent of workers worked from home prior […] Read more Topics: Economy Employment, work and skills December 2, 2020
Project Tackling Inequalities Raising the age of participation in education or training to 18 in Wales In England, the compulsory age of participation in education or training was raised to 17 in 2013 and then 18 in 2015. In Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, the school leaving age is 16. The idea of raising the age of participation in education or training is gaining traction in the Scottish context, as well […] Read more Topics: Economy Employment, work and skills December 2, 2020
Project Community Wellbeing Post-Brexit migration and Wales The UK Government plans to end free movement of people to the UK from EU countries and the proposed Immigration Bill will have significant implications for Wales’ economy, society and population. The WCPP has been exploring the likely impacts of post-Brexit migration policies on Wales to identify a range of ways in which the Welsh […] Read more Topics: Economy Employment, work and skills December 2, 2020
Project Brexit and the NHS workforce As part of the EU Transition Support Fund Grant received from the Welsh Government, the Welsh NHS Confederation commissioned the Wales Centre for Public Policy to analyse the likely effects on the health and social care workforce, which staff groups might be most affected, and the implications for the long-term workforce strategy for health and […] Read more Topics: Economy Employment, work and skills December 2, 2020
Project The implications of the European transition for key economic sectors The European Union is the most economically valuable international trading partner for Wales and the UK, accounting for 43% and 52% of total UK exports and imports respectively in 2019. Following its exit from the EU, the UK Government has started to negotiate free trade agreements with the EU and with other countries around the […] Read more Topics: Economy December 2, 2020
Blog Post Tackling Inequalities Gradually and then all at once – The UK’s new points-based migration system and small and medium enterprises Responding to the Wales Centre for Public Policy’s (WCPP) report on the impact of a new post-Brexit migration system, in this blog Dr Llyr ap Gareth, Senior Policy Adviser at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), outlines the practical issues it raises for smaller firms. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) make up 62.3% of private […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Economy November 30, 2020
Report 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
Report 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
Report 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
Report 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
Report 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
Report 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
Report Environment and Net Zero 20's the limit: How to encourage speed reductions The 20mph default speed limit on all residential roads in Wales is part of a suite of measures to promote ‘liveable’ communities. 20mph limits have been implemented in many places in the UK but never on a national scale. A substantial shift in driver behaviour will be needed for the limit to achieve its desired […] Read more Topics: Economy July 15, 2020
Blog Post Tackling Inequalities How are we going to fund social care? The Coronavirus pandemic has highlighted, more than ever, the importance of funding social care. Local authorities are concerned about meeting their statutory duties, paying care workers a fair wage and ensuring a stable care market in their current budget constraints. Responding to the Coronavirus pandemic has placed additional cost pressures on social care, placing further […] Read more Topics: Economy Health inequalities July 1, 2020
Blog Post Tackling Inequalities The Coronavirus pandemic and the cost of health The current Coronavirus pandemic has brought healthcare and science experts to the centre of public debate. Questions about rationing resources such as access to specialist healthcare, testing, and availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) are being discussed daily. There has been talk of rationing access to beds and treatment, with Italian and Spanish frontline healthcare […] Read more Topics: Economy Health inequalities June 26, 2020
Blog Post Community Wellbeing Financial vulnerability in the pandemic: a dilemma for local authorities The Coronavirus pandemic has necessitated a shift in the way in which we, as a society, think about vulnerability. Historically, we have tended towards a moral definition of vulnerability, which gives rise to a set of obligations and duties which have been enshrined in legislation such as the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act, 2014 […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government June 24, 2020
Blog Post Environment and Net Zero Building back better: the importance of a green stimulus The Coronavirus pandemic-driven lockdown imposed across the UK has upended most aspects of day-to-day life. Whilst the economic cost of the lockdown is severe, one noticeable side-effect has been the impact of lockdown on the environment. Globally, CO2 emissions have reduced more as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic than from any other world event. […] Read more Topics: Economy Just Transition Net Zero June 17, 2020
Project Environment and Net Zero Local Institutions, Productivity, Sustainability and Inclusivity Trade-offs (LIPSIT) Local Institutions, Productivity, Sustainability and Inclusivity Trade-offs (LIPSIT) was an ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council) funded collaborative project. The project explored the institutional and organisational arrangements at the regional level that lead to the ‘good’ management of policy trade-offs associated with increasing productivity, and made recommendations based on this. These trade-offs are between productivity growth, inclusivity and sustainability. They arise because authorities have limited resources and have to prioritise: policies […] Read more Topics: Economy Energy Net Zero June 4, 2020
Blog Post Environment and Net Zero Research and Impact The implications of the Coronavirus pandemic for the Welsh economy The Coronavirus pandemic is having a profound and unprecedented impact on the Welsh economy – an economy already weakened by retrenchment and austerity in the public sector following the 2008 financial crisis, in addition to the challenges posed by leaving the European Union. The Coronavirus pandemic adds to these challenges and exposes existing vulnerabilities. Nonetheless, […] Read more Topics: Economy Research and Impact: Impact May 27, 2020
Blog Post Environment and Net Zero Governing the Just Transition In previous blog posts, we’ve considered what a just transition is and what such a transition might look like in Wales. In the final blog post of this series, we consider the potential role of governance in realising a Just Transition in Wales. Government is typically seen as the major authority in directing policy action. […] Read more Topics: Economy Just Transition Net Zero April 3, 2020
Blog Post Environment and Net Zero Towards a resilient economy In times of economic uncertainty attention often turns to the resilience of economies to shocks and downturns. As we grapple with the likely economic consequences of coronavirus, not to mention the longer-term implications of leaving the European Union, it is no wonder that thoughts turn to how to ensure our economy is resilient to any […] Read more Topics: Economy Just Transition March 25, 2020
Report 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
Blog Post Environment and Net Zero Delivering a Just Transition: What would it look like? In our previous blog we looked at why a just transition could be an equitable means of decarbonising the economy. This post looks in more detail at what this might look like in the Welsh context, and how different approaches to justice can facilitate a just transition. We have argued that a just transition should […] Read more Topics: Economy Just Transition Net Zero February 26, 2020
Blog Post Research and Impact 5 things we learned about procurement The Wales Centre for Public Policy has been exploring the case for a more strategic approach to public procurement for nearly two years. In July 2018 we hosted an event that considered the lessons from the collapse of Carillion. Earlier this year we published reports on contracting, stewardship and public value and on sustainable public […] Read more Topics: Economy Research and Impact: Methods and approaches December 5, 2019
Project Strengthening the Economic Resilience of the Welsh Economy The concept of economic resilience has gained prominence in the decade since the financial crisis of 2008/09, raising interest as to why some economies appear more able to withstand economic shocks, or to recover more strongly, than others. This is particularly pertinent in the current climate of economic uncertainty. In 2019, the Minister for Economy […] Read more Topics: Economy November 13, 2019
Blog Post Community Wellbeing The Preston Model: A panacea for Wales? Procurement is moving up the agenda. In Wales, First Minister Mark Drakeford has advocated reforming procurement and procurement has been suggested as a way to bolster the foundational economy by Deputy Minister Lee Waters. The ‘Preston model’ has frequently been cited as an example of using public procurement for social good. But what is the […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government November 5, 2019
Project Options for sustainable Welsh fisheries and fishing stocks management post-devolution The Welsh Government are preparing their approach to fisheries for if/when the UK leaves the European Union. They are particularly interested in future opportunities, including both quota and non-quota limits, to achieve their ‘fair share’ of allocation and to manage fish stocks for the benefit of coastal communities in Wales. This also sits in with […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government November 1, 2019
Blog Post Tackling Inequalities Unleashing the power of public procurement Understandably given the pressure on budgets, the focus is often on procuring public services at the lowest possible cost. But there is a growing recognition of the potential to use public procurement more imaginatively to promote innovation and promote a range of broader social purposes. In Wales we spend around £6 billion pounds annually on […] Read more Topics: Economy October 30, 2019
Report Environment and Net Zero Achieving a prosperous economy: insights from other nations and regions This report summarises the evidence from approaches that have improved economic performance in a selection of areas in the UK and Europe. Identifying areas comparable with Wales can be problematic, as it is neither possible nor practical to find exact matches in terms of economic histories or trajectories. Nonetheless, we believe that looking at other […] Read more Topics: Economy October 24, 2019
Blog Post Tackling Inequalities Tackling Inequalities through Gender Budgeting With the opportunity provided by the Gender Equality Review and the commitment to feminist principles by the Welsh Government, the time is ripe for the Government to step fully into a gender analysis of its budget process. With the framework of the Well-being of Future Generations Act and the implementation of integrated impact assessments, that […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Economy October 21, 2019
Report 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
Report 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
Project Welsh councils’ perceptions of austerity Drawing on interviews with Welsh council leaders, chief executives, finance directors, and external stakeholders, this study explores Welsh councils’ responses to austerity. We find that councils have responded to austerity in three main ways: by making efficiency savings; by reducing the need for council services; and by changing the role played by councils and other […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government April 10, 2019
Project Implications of UK migration policy on the Welsh economy after Brexit Building on our previous work looking into immigration policy after Brexit, this project focuses on the likely impact of UK Government migration policies on the Welsh economy. Specifically, we’re working with Professor Jonathan Portes from Kings College London to model the impacts of the recommendations from the 2018 Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) report and subsequent […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government April 10, 2019
News Tackling Inequalities 1.6% hit to Welsh economy from UK immigration plans says WCPP report The UK Government’s post-Brexit immigration plans will act as a drag on economic growth and productivity in Wales, a major new report from the Wales Centre for Public Policy says. Experts from King’s College, London and the University of Oxford have looked at the effects on Wales of immigration proposals in the recent Whitehall White […] Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Economy March 18, 2019
Report 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
News Tackling Inequalities Ergyd o 1.6% i economi Cymru gan gynlluniau mewnfudo’r DU – adroddiad WCPP Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Economy March 18, 2019
Blog Post Tackling Inequalities We need to talk about procurement On 4th February we published a major new report on procurement. Beyond contracting: public service stewardship to maximise public value argues that politicians and chief executives need to use procurement strategically to maximise economic, social and environmental outcomes for their local communities, rather than just going for the lowest cost option. The launch event with […] Read more Topics: Economy February 26, 2019
Blog Post Environment and Net Zero Is the future of the economy threatening local taxation? This is the second of our guest blogs expanding on some of the wider tax policy questions that couldn’t all be fully explored within the parameters of our Welsh tax base research last year. Here, Hugo Bessis of the Centre for Cities considers the impact of the rise of automation and high street retail closures […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government February 14, 2019
Blog Post Community Wellbeing Growing the Welsh tax base through business rates: risks, rewards and trade-offs It has been six months since we published our report examining the risks and opportunities of fiscal devolution to the Welsh tax base. Our discussions with tax policy colleagues in the Welsh Government and experts and academics from across the UK threw up plenty of issues which couldn’t all be fully explored within the parameters […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government February 7, 2019
Blog Post Community Wellbeing Beyond contracting: public service stewardship to maximise public value In this blog, John Tizard, co-author of our latest report Beyond contracting: public service stewardship to maximise public value, introduces some key issues and arguments. This is part of our series on public procurement – find out more here. The public sector in Wales spends over £6bn per year on the procurement of services, works […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government February 5, 2019
Report 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
Blog Post Community Wellbeing Collaborative procurement in Wales: Pulling together… but in what direction? Here at the Centre, we’re examining the evidence on public procurement, and aiming to publish some succinct reports in early 2019. Collaborating on procurement – joining forces to pool and strengthen in-house expertise or to access economies of scale – is an emerging theme. So, as part of our research process, we’ve been building a […] Read more Topics: Community collaboration Economy Local government December 20, 2018
Blog Post Tackling Inequalities Fair work must be about more than who keeps the tips A new law announced by UK prime minister Theresa May will see restaurants in Britain being banned from unfairly taking tips from staff. Ensuring staff keep their tips is certainly a positive move to promote fairness. However, as tips are often used by employees to supplement their low pay, shouldn’t improving quality of work be […] Read more Topics: Economy Employment work and skills October 3, 2018
Project Tackling Inequalities Maximising universities’ civic contribution This project explored potential policy options to encourage Welsh universities to prioritise and increase their civic contributions to Welsh communities overall social and economic wellbeing. The report, which can be viewed here, reviewed the approaches to civic missions internationally, as well as the implications for Wales in light of the domestic policy context. For more […] Read more Topics: Economy Education inequalities August 21, 2018
Project Environment and Net Zero Strategies and technologies in improving air quality The project is a rapid review of measures in place worldwide to improve air quality. It indicates the evidence behind different strategies and technologies for addressing air pollution and provides case studies of cities which rank highly for air quality. Read more Topics: Economy Energy Net Zero August 21, 2018
Blog Post Learning the lessons from Carillion – thoughts from our panel discussion Many are still struggling to assess what caused Carillion’s spectacular demise, and how it could be prevented in future. It was with this in mind that on Wednesday 4th July the WCPP hosted an expert panel to discuss the lessons to be learnt in Wales from Carillion’s collapse and consider the future of outsourcing in […] Read more Topics: Economy Employment work and skills July 26, 2018
Blog Post Community Wellbeing The income tax base in Wales – who’ll pay what to the Welsh Government? Drawing on the report he co-authored for the Wales Centre for Public Policy, The Welsh Tax Base: Risks and Opportunities after Fiscal Devolution, Guto Ifan of the Wales Governance Centre explores the income tax base in Wales. From next April, the income tax paid by Welsh taxpayers will be partially devolved to the Welsh Government. UK government […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government July 23, 2018
News Community Wellbeing Risks and opportunities for devolved taxes set out in new expert report There will be no simple way to increase income tax revenue using Wales’ new devolved tax powers, according to a new report by Cardiff University academics for the Wales Centre for Public Policy. ‘The Welsh Tax Base: Risks and Opportunities after Fiscal Devolution’, written for the WCPP by researchers at the Wales Governance Centre, highlights […] Read more Topics: Economy Local government July 2, 2018
News Community Wellbeing Amlygu risgiau a chyfleoedd trethi datganoledig mewn adroddiad arbenigol newydd Read more Topics: Economy Local government July 2, 2018
Report 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
Report 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
Project Tackling Inequalities Improving Health and Employment Outcomes Whilst unemployment is currently low in Wales relative to past decades, economic inactivity due to ill health remains high. In recognition of this, the Welsh Government is keen to support people to stay in and return to work. Evidence suggests that the most effective way to do this is to provide support that integrates health […] Read more Topics: Economy Health inequalities April 26, 2018
Project Determining the Tax Base in Wales WCPP was asked by the Chief Economist and Treasury officials in the Welsh Government, on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, to undertake a high-level review of the strength of the Welsh tax base. The review analysed the scale and the sustainability of the tax base supporting the major devolved revenue-raising […] Read more Topics: Economy April 26, 2018
Blog Post Brexit, Immigration and Wales: Professor Jonathan Portes Vlog Professor Jonathan Portes (King's College London) discusses the implications that Brexit will have on immigration, and what this will mean for Wales. This video was recorded for our event - "What about Wales? The Implications of Brexit for Wales", which took place in London on Tuesday 20th March, 2018. Read more Topics: Diversity and inclusion Economy March 21, 2018
Blog Post Environment and Net Zero Brexit and Wales - Land and Sea: Griffin Carpenter Vlog Griffin Carpenter, from the New Economics Foundation, gives a brief overview of his report for the Wales Centre for Public Policy which looked at the implications of Brexit on fishing opportunities in Wales. Read more Topics: Economy Net Zero February 20, 2018
Blog Post Environment and Net Zero Brexit and Wales - Land and Sea: Professor Janet Dwyer Vlog Professor Janet Dwyer, from the Countryside and Community Research Institute, gives a brief overview of her report for the Wales Centre for Public Policy which looked at the implications of Brexit on agriculture, rural areas and land use in Wales. Read more Topics: Economy Net Zero February 20, 2018
Report 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
Report 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
Report 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
News Future of Work in Wales The greater use of artificial intelligence and robotics is set to dramatically alter the kinds of jobs available in Wales within the next 20 years. The Future of Work in Wales report suggests that new technology may improve productivity and release workers from repetitive or hazardous tasks but could also see large numbers of existing […] Read more Topics: Economy Employment work and skills November 1, 2017
News Tackling Inequalities Dyfodol Gwaith yng Nghymru Read more Topics: Economy Employment work and skills November 1, 2017
Blog Post Tackling Inequalities Stijn Broecke discusses the OECD’s research into the Future of Work Stijn Broecke, Senior Economist in Employment, Labour and Social Affairs at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), talks about the OECD’s programme of research into the future of work, at our Future of Work in Wales event, held on 1st November 2017. Read more Topics: Economy Employment work and skills November 1, 2017
Blog Post Tackling Inequalities Matthew Taylor talks about the Future of Work Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA), discusses the RSA's programme for the Future of Work, at our Future of Work in Wales event, on 1st November 2017. Read more Topics: Economy Employment work and skills November 1, 2017
Blog Post Tackling Inequalities First Minister Opens the Future of Work in Wales Event The First Minister of Wales, The Right Honourable Carwyn Jones AM, delivers the opening remarks at the inaugural event of the Wales Centre for Public Policy - The Future of Work in Wales. The event took place on 1st November 2017, with speaker including Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Arts, and […] Read more Topics: Economy Employment work and skills November 1, 2017
Report 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
Report 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
Report 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
Blog Post Research and Impact Brexit and Wales: Understanding the Reasons Behind the Welsh Vote On Thursday 30th March, 2017, the PPIW and Knowledge and Analytical Services welcomed colleagues to an evidence symposium which aimed to understand the reasons behind the Welsh vote in 2016's referendum on EU membership. The event featured expert speakers from UK universities and research centres, providing a mix of short presentations with a broader discussion with […] Read more Topics: Economy Research and Impact: Methods and approaches April 6, 2017
Report 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
Report 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
Report 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
Report 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
Blog Post Research and Impact What will Brexit mean for Wales? On 23 June, the UK voted to leave the European Union. The process for leaving and the implications for Wales are uncertain, but broadly speaking there are three forms that Brexit could take: Soft Brexit: Retain membership of the single market through the European Economic Area (EEA). The closest type of relationship the UK could have with […] Read more Topics: Economy Research and Impact: Impact July 28, 2016
Blog Post Environment and Net Zero Rethinking Food Policy as Public Policy in Wales – Now Needed More Than Ever with ‘Brexeat’? It's hard to focus after a political earthquake. The vote to leave the European Union is a political earthquake of the highest magnitude. We are still in a period of many after-shocks. So what to make of this report about Welsh food policy from the Public Policy Institute for Wales that was published just after […] Read more Topics: Economy Health inequalities Net Zero July 19, 2016
Report 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
Report 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
Report Community Wellbeing Coping with the Cuts: Lessons from English Councils’ Responses to Budget Reductions his 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
Report 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
Report 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
Report 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
Report 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
Report Research and Impact 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 Research and Impact: Methods and approaches October 29, 2014
