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The next decade will be critical for the economy which is why we cannot afford for our politicians to be blindsided by constitutional issues – no matter how important they might appear to be to some.

Play is in our nature – and it’s there for a reason. Scope speaks with PlayBoard NI CEO Jacqueline O’Loughlin about how children and young people need more support to explore themselves and the world around them.

The imbroglio of the Northern Ireland protocol has served to demonstrate just how important EU membership was to the peace process – and the scale of the instability we now face.

Carers face so many challenges that some – such as loneliness – do not get the attention they deserve.

Northern Ireland’s first co-housing project was launched earlier this month on a 13 acre site on the outskirts of Portaferry, Co Down.

A new public scheme is set to pay people to exercise more and use parks and greenways. Civic Dollars is hoping to take on several issues at once. The scheme might just do some good.

Experts are expressing increasing concern about the impact the pandemic has had on physical activity amongst children and we have more reasons for worry in Northern Ireland than elsewhere.  

Northern Ireland gives educators a lot of leeway on RSE. Some local organisations say the system needs to be tightened to avoid failing children.

If we are to fix educational underachievement in Northern Ireland we are going to have to spend £49.7 million extra every year on children before they even get to school.

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

A proper debate about the links between mental ill health and poverty and what needs to be done about it is overdue.

For women, economic prospects and domestic abuse are interlinked. The pandemic is putting pressure on both.

Last summer, just before the second wave of the pandemic struck, Shane Whelehan became chief executive of Quaker Service Northern Ireland.

Discussions about devolving more tax powers to NI are beginning in earnest. This could transform government – but risk and opportunity go hand in hand.

It would be simple to call anything and everything a priority as we look beyond Covid-19 – but the need for better support for autism truly does stand apart.

Health and social care across the UK needs a massive funding boost if it is to be able to meet future demand according to a four-year inquiry led by 33 experts.

If everyone were able to live healthier lives for longer, everyone would benefit.

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

Third and public sector bodies are rightly proud of how they responded to the pandemic, switching so many services from face-to-face to digital.

Could NI be on the edge of massive reform? The end of the pandemic is hopefully in sight, while other political ructions will herald change, in some form. A modern, green economy would be the best possible result.