Insight and latest updates from our team

US President Barack Obama reinvented social media as a tool for political success and his exploits have been copied across the world. Scope examines how our politicians are exploiting the new media.

Three weeks after the Donaldson report and it appears all is forgotten. Are local political dynamics driving our health system unstoppably to the brink and beyond? Scope investigates.

Older Peoples’ Commissioner Claire Keatinge had some tough messages for the health service when she spoke to Scope.

The Donaldson report makes for uneasy reading. Amongst its barrage of criticisms comes disbelief that Ombudsman findings into HSC failings are held back from public view. Scope looks at the issue.

Cool FM’s training partnership with Start360 is the first whereby a private sector company receives funding from the Big Lottery, Scope checks on how it is shaping up.

Scope delves behind the headlines to examine some disturbing implications of the Donaldson Report into health care in Northern Ireland.

Nick Clegg has made suicide a general election issue. Scope looks at the current political climate for this troubling issue which disproportionately affects Northern Ireland.

Total annual funding for the arts in Northern Ireland is the same as the cost of policing Twaddell Avenue. Scope asks whether we should treat it as an investment in creativity and afford the sector more respect.

If Ed Miliband becomes PM he wants to overhaul our skills base to drive future prosperity - but training budgets are being slashed, so how will this be possible? Scope examines the issue.

Is the Stormont House Agreement a Tory austerity project or a breakthrough for Northern Ireland? Scope asks Shadow Secretary of State Ivan Lewis.

NIACRO is campaigning for a change in law to allow minor offences committed as a youth to be removed from people's records in order to help them find work. Scope examines the proposal.

At a time when public services are on their knees and when mass redundancies are planned for public sector workers, how can the Department of Justice justify spending around £24 million a year jailing people for failing to pay fines?

Is it a scandal that Atlantic Philanthropies are paying for the training of our MLAs? Scope examines the issue.  

Exclusive: Scope has unearthed new evidence about secret security force oversight over planning decisions during the Troubles and the lasting division this has caused.

Local health and social care reform is based on moving provision closer to home - but are cuts to both emergency and domiciliary care causing a spiralling crisis?

Charity Commission Chief Executive Frances McCandless talks to Scope about CEO pay, governance and registration.

Dealing with the past is our toughest local issue. The Stormont House Agreement included a commitment to using oral histories to conserve and promote the experiences of local people - here UU's Dr Adrian Grant explores their potential.

In our second article on corporation tax - this time analysing the case for lowering rates - Scope asks whether its advocates are keeping a sane head in difficult times