Social Policy
No-one knows where the jobs market is going
22 Jun 2023Ryan Miller undefinedWork, Sector Issues, Employment, Social Policy
Employment is a tentpole for society. Working keeps people well, produces stuff we need, and gives people money to pay their bills and live a life. However, we have no idea what the jobs market will look like in the near future.
Will we fail once more on mental health?
24 May 2023Ryan Miller undefinedMental Health, Budget, Social Policy, Funding
A new report from the Audit Office says Northern Ireland’s ten-year mental health strategy risks failure due to a lack of financial support.
Social security is inadequate – what will government do about it?
10 May 2023Ryan Miller undefinedWelfare Reform, Universal Credit, Social Policy, Poverty, Sector Issues, Cliff Edge Coalition
The Cliff Edge Coalition NI relaunched its campaign last week. A lot has changed since 2018, almost none of it good, and the cliff edge faced by much of society has grown much higher.
Could the cost-of-living crisis be even bigger than we thought? See for yourself
3 May 2023Ryan Miller undefinedHealth, Cost of Living, Sector Issues, Social Policy, Inflation
New ONS analysis shows where inflation is really pressurising household budgets. Some basics are up by over 40%. Meanwhile a new online tool will let you check how inflation is affecting you and your family, specifically.
If you want to protect the union, get back to Stormont
20 Apr 2023Ryan Miller undefinedGood Friday Agreement, Social Policy, Stormont, Politics
As most people celebrate the Good Friday Agreement, hardline unionist politicians have their heads in the sand – to the detriment of Northern Ireland, and also themselves.
We need to talk about wealth inequality – not just now, but always
23 Mar 2023Ryan Miller undefinedInequality, Poverty, Social Policy, Economy
Distribution of wealth should a headline talking point of economic discourse, alongside GDP, employment levels and inflation.
Poverty has many faces
6 Mar 2023Ryan Miller undefinedPoverty, Social Policy, Sector Issues, Social Security, Mental Health
New research reaffirms an old oddity – Northern Ireland has the lowest rate of poverty of any UK region. However, that’s not the whole story.
Are we comfortable with continuing to fail children with SEN?
16 Feb 2023Ryan Miller undefinedEducation, SEN, Social Policy
For years, mental health provision was described as Northern Ireland’s ‘Cinderella Service’. What words would best describe services for special educational needs?
The growing role of charities in society must be embraced
8 Feb 2023Ryan Miller undefinedSector Issues, Funding, Economy, Environment, Social Policy
A huge new report, years in the making, says that the community and voluntary sector’s increasing importance needs to be fully embraced. The private, public and third sectors all need to work together to build the best-possible future.
Tough times can bring out the best in people
25 Jan 2023Ryan Miller undefinedMental Health, Health, Cost of Living, Poverty, Sector Issue, Social Policy, Funding
Two new pieces of research lay out two sides of the cost-of-living crisis: poor mental health, and communities rising to meet the problems we all face.
