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 …
Innovation requires financial investment; there’s no two ways about it, and that’s a problematic message for public sector organisations operating under significant funding constraints. Problematic, and also paradoxical, because it is through investing in innovation that we can design better, cheaper public services and support increased democratic and civic engagement. …
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 …
Childcare policy is often viewed as a panacea to address social inequities and reduce poverty. Yet the PPIW report “Childcare Policy Options for Wales” sounds a note of caution that some policy measures may not have the expected impacts. Government childcare policies have variously aimed to reduce gender inequality in …
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, …
Last week saw 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. Victoria Boelman and Alice Sachrajda, from the Young Foundation, are leading …
