Westminster still matters

Whatever the outcome of the referendum, Westminster will continue to be extremely important to the well-being of the people of Wales. Taxation, benefits and pensions, the economy, justice, defence, broadcasting, many aspects of transport and much more besides…

Friday Feature: Is the public sector too big? Part 2.

This is the second part of our debate, and an nedited article that initially appeared in the Bevan Foundation Review in spring

It is not so much that the public sector is too big and more that the private sector is too small. It is no coincidence that the parts…

Social Mobility in an age of austerity

Last night’s Progress debate on “Social mobility in an age of austerity” was a call to arms to put social mobility on the political agenda in a more meaningful way than maybe the Coalition government is bargaining for. Alan Milburn’s reports monitoring the impact of the government’s actions…

Another lost generation

There have been two recent announcements regarding the state of the economy that put into the question the idea that the economy is on the road to recovery. The first is yesterday’s surprise announcement that GDP fell by 0.5% in the last quarter of last year. The second…

Student protestor too harshly treated?

Am I alone in feeling that Edward Wollard the 18 year old, A-level student who received a 32-month prison sentence last week for throwing an empty fire extinguisher of the roof of Millbank during the student demonstrations in November last year – was too harshly treated?

Wollard, like thousands of…

Flu – don’t blame the victim

As the headlines about deaths from flu have begun to fade, attention has shifted to the low take-up rate of flu vaccinastions. Amongst over 65s, the rate last year was just 64% compared with the Welsh Assembly Government’s…

Friday Feature – Debate on whether the public sector is too big. Part 1.

This is an edited version of a debate that appeared in the Bevan Foundation Review – a seasonal publication given to our members. This week we are publishing Brian Morgan’s piece arguing that the public sector is too big. The counter argument will be published next week.

In the UK…

What 2011 holds for older people

For older people in Wales, 2011 looks to be a year of uncertain change. Older people will share the same trepidation and nervousness about the reality of public spending decisions as the rest of the population. However, there are positives on the horizon seen most notably with the recent…

Delivery failure for disabled children

 

Today we’re launching our report on play and leisure services for disabled children and young people – or rather the lack…

What the year holds for the third sector

2011, will be a new year filled with challenge, opportunity and uncertainty for the 30,000 organisations who comprise the third sector in Wales. While many decisions concerning funding still remain unclear, it is time to begin to prepare for a new government in Wales by thinking ahead, emphasising our…