Scope Articles

Pulling a stroke?

26 May 2015

Scope analyses the controversy surrounding the Stroke Association’s shocking claims about stroke rates amongst people of working age and asks if great advocacy can become bad science.

Inside the world of the spads

26 May 2015

Earlier this month the Office of First Minister deputy First Minister released information that it was ordered to by the Information Commissioner revealing the salaries paid to the special advisors working for the First Minister.

The Apathy Party sweeps the board again

26 May 2015

Now that the dust has settled on the General Election and the victory champagne has gone flat, Scope looks at the section of the electorate nobody is talking about: the people who did not vote.

Truth or justice, or both?

26 May 2015

Dealing with the past is difficult – especially when its two common ideals work against each other. Scope looks at whether the Stormont House Agreement can untangle truth and justice and allow progress to run rather than shuffle.

Up the sanction - Welfare Reform's teeth could bite itself

20 May 2015

DWP says sanctions are a "last resort" and encouragement to work - but some reported examples make that description look laughable, and could make them the biggest danger to Welfare Reform. Scope takes a look.

Welfare Reform: the view from Scotland

Economist William Beveridge's 1942 report Social Insurance and Allied Services was a key moment in UK welfare history, and envisioned a welfare system that both dealt with penury and encouraged work

14 May 2015

The general election result means Welfare Reform will come to Northern Ireland, one way or another. Scope looks at two reports examining its impact in Scotland - both on the public and the third sector.

How American non profits are getting politicians to sit up and notice

13 May 2015

As cuts deepen should the sector lie down and take it, disappear into silos, with everyone fighting everyone else for scraps, or is there a better way?

Will the courts force through abortion reform?

28 Apr 2015

In the latest in our series on abortion Scope examines the impending court case which could force the Assembly's hand on reform.

The demolition of community education in Northern Ireland

28 Apr 2015

Just imagine the uproar if the education department withdrew a school’s funding two months before the end of term leaving A Level and GSCE students without teachers, and the rest of the pupils scrambling for places elsewhere.

Sector needs to act on mental health of staff

28 Apr 2015

Professor Peter McBride chief executive of the Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health (Niamh) argues the Third Sector must act now to stave off a mental health crisis amongst employees following cuts.

Preserving heritage and understanding the past

28 Apr 2015

Scope meets Paul Mullan, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Northern Ireland.

Has the Wells affair scuppered a Westminster deal for the DUP?

28 Apr 2015

Scope analyses the fall-out from the Wells affair and concludes we should not be writing off the DUP just yet.

It's time to move on from the stale politics of peace

28 Apr 2015

Independent MLA John McCallister calls for a realignment of politics in Northern Ireland and has some harsh words for the Make it Work campaign.

Abortion: the lives of others

28 Apr 2015

David Smyth of the Evangelical Alliance, writing exclusively for Scope, challenges those currently calling for changes to Northern Ireland's abortion law

Buy a plastic bag and save the environment: how not to make cuts

27 Apr 2015

Scope analyses the bizarre recent conduct of the Department of the Environment and suggests this is a text book example of how not to implement cuts.

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Pulling a stroke?

Inside the world of the spads

The Apathy Party sweeps the board again

Truth or justice, or both?

Up the sanction - Welfare Reform's teeth could bite itself

Welfare Reform: the view from Scotland

How American non profits are getting politicians to sit up and notice

Will the courts force through abortion reform?

The demolition of community education in Northern Ireland

Sector needs to act on mental health of staff

Preserving heritage and understanding the past

Has the Wells affair scuppered a Westminster deal for the DUP?

It's time to move on from the stale politics of peace

Abortion: the lives of others

Buy a plastic bag and save the environment: how not to make cuts