Latest Updates

The latest job market updates look great. Take a peek behind the figures, however, and the story is different.

The Independent Reporting Commission (IRC) has just published its second report on progress to end paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland.

The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee also pointed out major failings – and possible solutions – in cancer care, social care and support for mental ill health.

Sir Martin Narey stirred up a hornet’s nest this week when he told a conference of prison officers to “stop fretting about rehabilitation”.

Figures released this week on World Stroke Day lay bare the need for health transformation – a process that, due in large part to Stormont’s collapse, has stalled.

The man who runs the Health and Social Care system in Northern Ireland is running out of time, and running out of money.

Where is the consultation on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund? And, when it does come, what should a new infrastructure fund look like?

The Third Sector has been waiting for 11 years, with mounting impatience, for monies accumulating in Northern Ireland’s Dormant Accounts Fund to be put to good use.

Our third and final article looking at how our public sector is doing, by its own measure.

A new report from Ulster University has found that religion – and specific religious groups – hold sway at every level of the NI schools system.

The second in our trio of articles taking an accessible look at how our public sector is doing, by its own measure.

The Executive Office recently published its year-end report looking at progress against outcomes in the draft Programme for Government. Scope takes a look at the bottom line.

Our health and the health of the land are inextricably linked. That link is now fractured.

Newspapers are dying, but we still need news. How should we replace what is lost? Should journalism go full circle and return to its roots as a charitable cause?

Northern Ireland had the dubious distinction of being the only part of the UK without a think tank, until this week.

North Belfast charity Women’stec is tearing down barriers that have kept women from careers like joinery, plumbing and surveying. Scope speaks with CEO Lynn Carvill.

Work has started on developing an environmental strategy for Northern Ireland, at long last.

There is little or no serious discussion about public policy in Northern Ireland, with or without a functioning government. This needs to change.

A Westminster committees inquiry has concluded that NI’s mitigations package should continue beyond next March’s benefits cliff edge – action is required now.

New research tells us that restoring our ancient forests is both the cheapest and most effective way of tackling climate change. Northern Ireland is the second most deforested part of Europe. We should therefore be at the forefront of change.