Scope Articles

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News and insights into public policy to enhance civic society

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Social media is an illusion, and a trap

21 Sep 2022

Lots of people distrust social media and its effects on political discussions. Several different studies indicate different ways that Twitter, Facebook and the rest shape discourse - and some ways they maybe don’t.

NI’s fiscal powers – the coming storm

14 Sep 2022

The Fiscal Council has published its first report into NI’s spending abilities. If you think the current status quo of failing healthcare, over-budget schools and sparse cost-of-living interventions is bad, wait till you see what’s next.

It isn’t easy to leave abuse behind

7 Sep 2022

People in abusive relationships need the confidence to know that, if they leave, they can do so safely – and with plenty of support.

Improving the care system: a massive task that’s worth the effort

1 Sep 2022

There is no single way to maximise the outcomes for children in care. Big improvements are possible, but reform will take time.

Our towns and cities can be whatever we want them to be

Commercial Court, just off Hill Street, in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter (photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash)

24 Aug 2022

Northern Ireland’s urban spaces are designed to suit cars. We could tinker with this – or transform it entirely.

The public wants a Stormont that works

17 Aug 2022

Northern Ireland’s fractured politics come with risks. The current system mitigates against dangers, like majority rule, but is failing to deliver basic governance. Other options are available.

Charities want NI to have a government asap

10 Aug 2022

Civic society plays a key role in Northern Ireland’s wellbeing. It is worth listening to – and what it says about the Stormont impasse could scarcely be more unified.

Food banks are charities that don’t want to exist

The front page of last week's Newtonards Chronicle

4 Aug 2022

Demand for food banks is soaring but, as the cost of living increases, people are less able to donate. However, helping food banks does not fix any fundamental problems – something the Trussell Trust is determined to make clear.

The cost of living is creating a poverty sinkhole

27 Jul 2022

A new report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation shows that, while poverty in general has waxed and waned over the past 20 years, the number of people and families living in destitution has increased significantly.

Youth justice: on the cusp of modernity?

18 Jul 2022

NI is behind the times when it comes to children and the justice system. Plans for change have been announced – and not before time – but still need to be realised.

The fundamental weaknesses of any UBI pilot scheme

Devolved governments have the ability to make bold choices - but they have little room for error (photo by Jonny Gios on Unsplash)

5 Jul 2022

The Welsh Government has announced a trial of universal basic income. That’s what they’re calling it, anyway. It’s a bold move by a devolved government and Stormont should pay attention. However, some issues remain.

We urgently need political leadership if we are to reduce or prevent homelessness

30 Jun 2022

Following deaths of six people who were sleeping on the streets of Belfast over just two weeks, Homeless Connect CEO Nicola McCrudden writes for Scope about how we can best address the complex set of issues that can lead to such tragedies.

Measuring the impact of Northern Ireland’s charities: a work in progress

22 Jun 2022

Best practice has moved from counting outputs to measuring outcomes. However, change takes time. The local third sector is moving in the right direction but more needs to be done.

The Rwanda asylum policy is working perfectly for Boris Johnson

15 Jun 2022

With no good ideas to improve people’s lives, the Westminster government has nothing left except its ability to fabricate arguments and make people angry.

Northern Ireland needs to learn to communicate

9 Jun 2022

Local people know the crippling effect relationship distress can have on their lives. However, most are reluctant to discuss their problems – and many don’t even know how.

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