Latest Updates

Next week sees the beginning of the roll out of Universal Credit in Northern Ireland. 

The media struggles to report on battling ideas unless there is a real battle involved. Covering concepts is inherently difficult but it could still be done better – whether you are talking health reform, or identity politics.

Never mind academic selection, the ILiAD report identifies several wider issues that affect academic attainment. These need to be dealt with together.

Brendan McAleer, Regional Director of Ulster Comhaltas explains how he is trying to turn the cultural war on its head.

Last week’s NICCY report looked at the alarming costs paid by parents towards their children’s education. A closer look at the paper reveals deeper problems – and possible solutions.

A survey has just been published that demonstrates the vulnerability of charities to cyber crime, Scope assesses the risks.

When Parliament reassembles on Tuesday 5 September the DUP will have its first opportunity to flex its muscles by forcing through an important measure to help combat the scourge of gambling addiction.  

Community and voluntary work is done best at a local level. This makes scaling up a tricky prospect – but it is not impossible.

The reaction to the floods that devastated swathes of Northern Ireland this week failed to address a catastrophic failure of public policy. 

The apparent need for £70m cuts in health is bad news - but finding extra cash won't fix the underlying problems, while our trusts have missed a chance to push for reform, and instead have washed their hands of the burden of leadership.

There are proven ways to rehabilitate offenders. But is Northern Ireland up for it? 

Social Impact Bonds have yet to come to Northern Ireland. Scope looks at this new funding model and decides their use is probably narrow – but they still have a use.

There has been much coverage of the impact of no government on the sector. To date it has not featured what is surely the biggest lost opportunity of all. 

A lack of specifics on plans for Brexit negotiations, and what is planned for afterwards, is worrying - but it provides opportunities for shaping the future. NICVA recently published its position paper on Brexit. Scope takes a look.

Welfare Reform comes to NI next month. Opposition to the two-child limit on tax credits in general - and the 'rape clause' in particular - has grown more voluble. Scope looks at women's groups' objections.

The Insolvency Service is seeking to ban the former trustees of Kids Company from holding directorships for up to six years. It couldn’t happen here. Could it? 

Volunteering means a lot of different things. To get the best out of it, we need information that is clearer on the distinctions, on how different people donate their time in different ways – and on what they achieve.

Campaigners are setting about tackling Northern Ireland’s least known and most devastating ecological disaster, Scope explores a forgotten tragedy. 

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is a rarity – a first-response emergency service operating on a voluntary basis. Scope shines a light on this successful and highly-thought-of organisation.

All politicians of all parties both locally and in the UK say they want to address the crisis in mental health.