Latest Updates

Kevin Higgins, Head of Policy at Advice NI on the past, present and future of social security in the UK. 

NI’s poverty woes have been in the headlines this week – the last decade has been wasted. However, the story goes further: the nature of poverty has changed, which must be recognised if the problem is to be fixed.

Most pundits are concerned about the political fall-out from the failed talks process. But what does it mean for government itself, and civil society?

Charitable giving in Northern Ireland fell last year when compared with 2016 – although this drop brings 2017 more into line with recent times. Scope takes a look at NICVA’s latest research into who makes donations, and how.

The health service is 70 years old this July. Last weekend thousands gathered in central Belfast to protest at its current malaise.

NICVA has joined together with partner organisations in Scotland and Wales to compile a list of key aims for the UK’s withdrawal of the EU. Top of the list is membership of the single market and customs union.

Two quotes 120 years apart about the value of the Arts and Culture signify the shift we are currently seeing. 

Two years of research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Frameworks Institute have found that traditional campaigns against poverty tend to backfire. If this issue is to be tackled, a new approach is required.

 “the blue bus is callin' us Driver, where you taken us” The End by The Doors 

The absence of local political leadership is having a harmful effect on human rights, according to the Human Rights Commissioner.

Modern best practice in the third sector hinges on services that have been designed – or, at the very least informed – by the users themselves.

Twenty two years ago a brilliant mathematician showed uncanny prescience when he anticipated a great debate about automation and artificial intelligence.

Stormont collapsed 12 months ago leaving Northern Ireland in stasis while Brexit plans are shaped and the health service crumbles. Here we look at NICVA’s response to a Westminster consultation on the crisis.

There has been much coverage about the £19 million dormant account money which Stormont has still not distributed to charities.

A report has just been published by an influential Think Tank which shows that Northern Ireland is the most vulnerable region in the UK to job losses as a result of automation. 

With most people feeling well stuffed after Christmas, it is a good time to look at those less fortunate, and how many children in NI rely on healthy lunches they get at school that then disappear over the holidays.

Les Allamby, chief commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is deeply concerned about the impact of technological surveillance on privacy rights

This week the Department of Health published the Expert Advisory Panel’s Review into Adult Social Care, Power to People. 

MPs are growing more confident and strident about taking a lead in rights issues in Northern Ireland. Local people, activists and politicians should take notice – the balance on matters like abortion and gay marriage might be about to tip.

Employment is no guarantee against poverty, and lack of qualifications makes things harder still. A new Joseph Rowntree Foundation report shows Northern Ireland is not well equipped to tackle this issue.