Scope Articles

Why your health really is your wealth

23 Jun 2022

Whenever we discuss how to improve health we invariably neglect the biggest factor of all in making us ill: poverty.

The cost of living and the cost of governmental collapse

19 May 2022

There is no magic fix for the cost-of-living crisis. Plenty of things might help but, with no Executive in place, Stormont can’t do any of them.

Poverty in Northern Ireland

24 Mar 2022

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has just published a survey of poverty in Northern Ireland which compares rates here to elsewhere in the UK.

Not all inflation is bad. Current inflation is terrible.

26 Jan 2022

Inflation is complicated and its effect on people is dependent on several other factors. UK inflation has risen to 5.4% but it’s the specific price rises behind this figure that are extremely concerning.

Homelessness is many different problems

6 Jan 2022

Housing stress in Northern Ireland is on the rise. This will lead to more and more people being homeless. There is no single fix – easing this problem requires several different approaches.

Welfare mitigations need a significant impact despite tight finances

Welfare mitigations panel chair Les Allamby

15 Dec 2021

The Communities Minister has commissioned an independent review of welfare mitigations. Writing for Scope, review Chair Les Allamby says the challenge for the panel’s is to come up with proposals that are both realistic and meaningful.

Stormont could cut child poverty by a third

Children should have food, warmth and good clothes - and this should be uncontroversial (Photo by Ben Wicks on Unsplash)

17 Nov 2021

A new report about the direction of child poverty in Northern Ireland shows the difference that can be made by a robust social security system.

Governments should think less about GDP – and focus on wellbeing

10 Nov 2021

If wellbeing is going to work as an alternative to GDP, Stormont needs to commit to it. This looks increasingly possible.

There is no single fix for poverty

Launch of the Scaffolding Project's briefing paper

3 Nov 2021

New research highlights the many things that make poverty persist in East Belfast. Problems are not limited to the expense of food or electricity – a lack of digital access is a problem, even in such an urban area.

Why NI’s entire approach to school uniforms should change

28 Oct 2021

Northern Ireland has no limit for the prices of its school uniforms. Costs are far beyond what parents consider reasonable, and should be reduced. A complete reform of what children wear should also be considered.

Life expectancy, like poverty, is a growing concern for the UK

13 Oct 2021

A new study shows differences in life expectancy between different parts of the UK can be measured in decades. Within Northern Ireland, these gaps are smaller – but questions remain.

The £20 Universal Credit should stay. History says the cut will go ahead.

Dr Therese Coffey remained in place as DWP Minister during the recent cabinet reshuffle. A change in direction seems unlikely.

22 Sep 2021

The reality of Universal Credit has always been at war with its stated aims. The £20 uplift should stay – or be increased – but reducing payments would be in keeping with standards set by this major welfare reform.

Child poverty and Northern Ireland's house of cards

Housing costs and poverty are inextricably linked (Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash)

1 Jun 2021

Progress on child poverty has been slow. Between the pandemic and rising house prices, things could be about to get much worse.

Poverty is a trap

6 May 2021

Arguments against higher social security payments centre on incentivising work. This is flawed thinking. Right now, benefits are too low.

Poverty: Society’s open wound

16 Feb 2021

Department for Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey outlines her plans to tackle poverty.

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