Participatory budgeting (PB) is recognised internationally as a way for people to have a direct say in how local money is spent. Having its grassroots development in Brazil in the late 1980s, it has taken hold across the world. In Scotland, PB is better known as Community Choices. Mainly because…
The funding of adult social care has moved centre stage. There is wide agreement that more money is needed and various figures are quoted. But how do we get a fix on exactly how much and whether this is affordable? As Chris Giles noted recently in the Financial Times, the…
Most of the political interest around the Welsh Government’s draft budget has inevitably centred on the deal with Plaid Cymru. But in fiscal terms, there was another story. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government called it a ‘budget for stability and ambition’. It might also have been called…
Throughout the last 45 years the value of economic output has generally been lower in Wales than other UK countries and regions (see chart). By 2014, Gross Value Added (GVA) per head in Wales was 28 per cent below the UK average. In comparison, the Greater South East region –…
Brexit will dominate political debates for the foreseeable future. However there are some fundamental policy challenges in Wales that aren’t going away whatever the outcome of the UK negotiations with the EU. How to secure economic growth and high quality jobs? How to satisfy increasing demand for health and social…
The Young Foundation’s CEO Glenys Thornton discusses high cost credit in Wales. The Young Foundation’s latest research report Credit where credit’s due? Understanding experiencing of high cost credit in Wales, is one of the most detailed of its kind ever conducted and examines why families on low incomes take out…
Is evidence like petrol? This was the unexpected question I was left with after our anniversary event on Monday 21st March. It was prompted by something one of our speakers, Professor Jon Shepherd said about the ‘users’ of evidence: decision makers just want to be told how best to achieve…
On Monday 21st March, 2016, PPIW was delighted to welcome colleagues to celebrate our Second Anniversary, at the Glamorgan Building, Cardiff University. This event marked PPIW’s achievements over the last year, and examined the current evidence ecosystem in Wales, and the potential needs of the next Welsh Government. Joining us…
Throughout this week we are discussing diversity in local government. This discussion follows a request from Welsh Ministers to PPIW to provide expert advice on increasing diversity in local government. On Tuesday, Dame Jane Roberts gave her opinion on the topic and yesterday Diverse Cymru discussed their work in relation to increasing representation of Black, Minority,…
Today sees the launch of four major new research projects that will advance understanding of effective strategies for tackling poverty. This important new research is part of the What Works in Tackling Poverty programme which is being led by the Public Policy Institute for Wales. Professor Anne Green is leading…
