Scope Articles

Ending paramilitarism: why words matter

15 Nov 2019

One of the most important challenges we face in Northern Ireland is bringing paramilitarism to an end.

Employment highs are obscuring a great malaise

Credit to PropertyPal for analysing NISRA and LPS figures. We are working more because we think we have to. So keep the champagne on ice (or sell it).

13 Nov 2019

The latest job market updates look great. Take a peek behind the figures, however, and the story is different.

The trouble with paramilitaries

8 Nov 2019

The Independent Reporting Commission (IRC) has just published its second report on progress to end paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland.

Another report warns the health service is crumbling

7 Nov 2019

The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee also pointed out major failings – and possible solutions – in cancer care, social care and support for mental ill health.

Crime: the real reason why offenders stop

1 Nov 2019

Sir Martin Narey stirred up a hornet’s nest this week when he told a conference of prison officers to “stop fretting about rehabilitation”.

Stroke experiences reinforce the need for change

29 Oct 2019

Figures released this week on World Stroke Day lay bare the need for health transformation – a process that, due in large part to Stormont’s collapse, has stalled.

Our health service: running out of time and money

25 Oct 2019

The man who runs the Health and Social Care system in Northern Ireland is running out of time, and running out of money.

Let’s talk about Shared Prosperity

23 Oct 2019

Where is the consultation on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund? And, when it does come, what should a new infrastructure fund look like?

Dormant accounts: spending other peoples' money

17 Oct 2019

The Third Sector has been waiting for 11 years, with mounting impatience, for monies accumulating in Northern Ireland’s Dormant Accounts Fund to be put to good use.

How is NI performing? (part three)

16 Oct 2019

Our third and final article looking at how our public sector is doing, by its own measure.

In education, religion’s reach goes far beyond segregation

8 Oct 2019

A new report from Ulster University has found that religion – and specific religious groups – hold sway at every level of the NI schools system.

How is NI performing? (Part two)

NI - it's a beautiful place (photo by Thomas Kelley on Unsplash)

8 Oct 2019

The second in our trio of articles taking an accessible look at how our public sector is doing, by its own measure.

How is Northern Ireland performing? (part one)

3 Oct 2019

The Executive Office recently published its year-end report looking at progress against outcomes in the draft Programme for Government. Scope takes a look at the bottom line.

Food for thought: Northern Ireland's farming crisis