Pivotal

Response to draft Programme for Government consultation

Read Pivotal’s response to the Northern Ireland Executive’s consultation on the draft Programme for Government for 2024–27

• Date

  Mon 4 Nov

Media statement on UK Budget 2024

Read Pivotal’s comment and analysis on the UK Budget announcement.

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  Wed 30 Oct

Draft Programme for Government – initial comments

Read Pivotal’s initial comments on the Northern Ireland Executive’s draft Programme for Government

• Date

  Tue 10 Sep

The first seven months of the restored Northern Ireland Executive

Read the press release for Pivotal’s new tracker report about actions and priorities for the Northern Ireland Executive since its return in February 2024

• Date

  Mon 2 Sep

New UK Government should focus on stability and good government in Northern Ireland.

Read Pivotal’s press release about the election of a new UK Government

• Date

  Fri 5 Jul

Eight features of an effective Programme for Government

A Programme for Government for Northern Ireland is due to be published soon. This one–pager suggests some important features.

• Date

  Thu 27 Jun

NI Executive Budget for 2024–25

Read a one–page summary of Pivotal’s evidence to the NI Assembly Finance Committee on 15 May

• Date

  Fri 17 May

Scoping study for Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Read our summary report for Joseph Rowntree Foundation on how they might help address destitution, poverty and economic insecurity in Northern Ireland.

• Date

  Wed 8 May

Economic inactivity in Northern Ireland

Read the press release for our new report on economic inactivity in Northern Ireland

• Date

  Wed 1 May

Policy priorities for Northern Ireland

Pivotal offers some suggestions for policy priorities for the returning Assembly and Executive

• Date

  Wed 7 Feb

The return of Stormont – time for real change

Read the press release for Pivotal’s new Briefing welcoming the return of Stormont, but saying it can’t be more of the same.

• Date

  Mon 5 Feb

The return of Stormont can’t be more of the same

Read Pivotal’s press release about the expected return of Stormont.

• Date

  Tue 30 Jan

Financial context for revenue raising consultation response

Read Pivotal’s response to the Department of Finance consultation on the financial context for revenue raising

• Date

  Thu 18 Jan

Integrated education consultation response

Read Pivotal’s response to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee Inquiry into Integrated Education

• Date

  Thu 18 Jan

Youth voices: young people’s views on their communities, education and jobs in Northern Ireland

Two new reports give the views of young people in Northern Ireland, in their own words.

• Date

  Thu 26 Oct

Governing without government: the consequences

Read the press release for the new Pivotal Briefing about the consequences of the continued absence of an Executive and ministers in Northern Ireland.

• Date

  Mon 4 Sep

Youth voices: life, work and study in Northern Ireland

Read the press release for our new report of findings from our survey with young people about life, work and study.

• Date

  Mon 19 Jun

Reconciliation and deprivation – twin challenges for Northern Ireland

Read Pivotal’s new report on reconciliation and deprivation in Northern Ireland.

• Date

  Thu 25 May

Northern Ireland Budget for 2023–24 – Pivotal media statement

Read Pivotal’s response to the Budget announced by the Secretary of State.

• Date

  Thu 27 Apr

Funding and delivery of public services in Northern Ireland

Read Pivotal’s response to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee’s Inquiry into budgetary management in Northern Ireland and the impact on public services.

• Date

  Mon 24 Apr

Who is governing Northern Ireland?

Pivotal’s latest Briefing looks at who is making decisions in Northern Ireland in the absence of an Executive, Assembly and ministers, and what this means for effective government here.

• Date

  Tue 7 Feb

Effectiveness of Belfast / Good Friday Agreement institutions

Read Pivotal’s response to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee inquiry into the effectiveness of the Belfast / Good Friday Agreement institutions.

• Date

  Fri 13 Jan

Impacts of academic selection at age 11

Earlier this year Pivotal was commissioned by the Independent Review of Education to complete a policy and literature review about the impacts of academic selection at 11 in Northern Ireland.

• Date

  Mon 5 Dec

Devolution of more fiscal powers to Northern Ireland – Pivotal consultation response

Read Pivotal’s response to the Department of Finance’s consultation about the devolution of more fiscal powers to Northern Ireland.

• Date

  Wed 30 Nov

We are recruiting a Senior Researcher

Pivotal is recruiting a new Senior Researcher. This is an exciting opportunity to join Northern Ireland’s independent public policy think tank.

• Date

  Wed 23 Nov

Governing without Ministers – Northern Ireland after 28 October

Pivotal’s new briefing note looks at what happens after the 28 October deadline for forming an Executive and what this means for government in Northern Ireland

• Date

  Mon 17 Oct

No Executive means inadequate government for Northern Ireland

Pivotal’s new briefing note looks at how governing Northern Ireland without an Executive is working

• Date

  Thu 1 Sep

We are now hiring for our summer internship programme.

Pivotal is looking to recruit a number of volunteer interns for its summer internship programme.

• Date

  Mon 23 May

Northern Ireland needs proper government

Media statement from Pivotal following the Northern Ireland Assembly election.

• Date

  Mon 9 May

Post–election policy priorities for Northern Ireland

As the May election approaches, this report explores the main policy challenges facing a new Assembly and Executive

• Date

  Sun 27 Mar

Independent Review of Education in Northern Ireland – initial request for views

Pivotal has provided a response to the Independent Review of Education’s initial request for views.

• Date

  Fri 4 Feb

Consultation response to the Interim Report of the Fiscal Commission Northern Ireland

Click here to read Pivotal’s response to the Interim Report of the Fiscal Commission Northern Ireland.

• Date

  Fri 4 Feb

Investment in Northern Ireland – Pivotal’s written evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee

Pivotal was pleased to provide oral evidence to the Committee on Wednesday 12 January 2022. This written evidence gives more detail on some of the issues discussed, together with some other points that were not covered in the oral evidence session.

• Date

  Thu 13 Jan

What is your vision for change in 2040?

This new project is part of an ambitious research plan to get the views and experiences of people across Northern Ireland on their vision for 2040. The project will commence by engaging adults aged 18 and over.

• Date

  Wed 21 Jul

Research Associates: Contribute to policy change in Northern Ireland

Pivotal is looking for a number of Research Associates to contribute to our growing research programme. This is an exciting and unique opportunity to work with Northern Ireland’s independent public policy think tank. Research Associates will be commissioned as required to complete specific pieces of research as part of different Pivotal projects.

• Date

  Tue 29 Jun

Northern Ireland’s Feminist Recovery Plan: Why COVID–19 recovery requires a gender–sensitive approach

The disproportionate impact of the pandemic on women has been well–documented across the world and in Northern Ireland. Pivotal’s Research and Engagement Officer, Dr Jayne Finlay, discusses the importance of taking a gender–sensitive response to the crisis.

• Date

  Thu 6 May

Public sector reform in Northern Ireland

Pivotal Director Ann Watt attended the Assembly’s Finance Committee to provide oral evidence on public sector reform in Northern Ireland.

• Date

  Wed 14 Apr

Programme for Government draft outcomes framework 2021–25 – consultation response

Our response to the Northern Ireland Executive’s consultation on the draft Programme for Government outcomes framework

• Date

  Mon 29 Mar

Retaining and Regaining talent.

Pivotal’s latest report explores the key factors associated with the educational migration of students from Northern Ireland to Great Britain. The report concludes with key areas which will be explored in our upcoming research.

• Date

  Wed 24 Mar

Educational migration survey launch

We have recently launched our survey to explore educational migration from Northern Ireland to Great Britain.

• Date

  Fri 26 Feb

Educational migration in Northern Ireland

Our new project explores educational migration amongst students in Northern Ireland.

• Date

  Wed 17 Feb

Pivotal response to Northern Ireland Executive’s draft budget 2021–22

• Date

  Wed 10 Feb

Secondary Students’ Union of Northern Ireland collaboration with Pivotal

Pivotal has recently supported the Secondary Students’ Union of Northern Ireland (SSUNI) with their study on mental health in schools. Their project, ‘Mental Health Matters: Secondary School Mental Health Reform in Northern Ireland’ involved over 2,000 young people and concluded with policy recommendations for change.

• Date

  Tue 9 Feb

Tedx DerryLondonderry survey

We recently collaborated with TEDx Derry Londonderry to gain a better understanding of issues that matter most to young people in the North West. Our new report provides a snapshot of youth opinions on government decision making, their biggest areas of concern and ‘big ideas’ for how change can create a better future in the North West.

• Date

  Mon 8 Feb

New Decade New Approach– one year on

Pivotal’s new report looks back on the year since the return of the Northern Ireland Executive in January 2020 and considers priorities for 2021

• Date

  Thu 7 Jan

Northern Ireland leaves too many young people unprepared for future jobs

Without education and training that develops modern skills and takes account of why some young people do not succeed at school, economic trends show that many young people in Northern Ireland will struggle to find work, according to research from independent think tank Pivotal. According to a new report published today by Pivotal, the independent think tank focused on Northern Ireland, a transformation and modernisation of skills development and careers advice for young people is needed.

• Date

  Thu 10 Dec

What is a think tank?

Pivotal Director Ann Watt talks about the role of think tanks and how Pivotal aims to contribute to improved public policy in Northern Ireland.

• Date

  Fri 20 Nov

Tedx DerryLondonderry survey

Are you a school, college or youth service in the North West of Northern Ireland? We want to hear from you as part of our collaboration with Tedx Derry Londonderry

• Date

  Wed 4 Nov

Happy birthday Pivotal

Pivotal is one year old today. Here Pivotal’s Chair Peter Sheridan, Director Ann Watt and Research Manager Dr Ben Harper talk about Pivotal’s first year and future plans.

• Date

  Fri 25 Sep

Pivotal’s first year– a reflection from Professor Cathy Gormley Heenan

Pivotal is pleased to benefit from an academic partnership with the Ulster University, Deputy Vice–Chancellor Professor Cathy Gormley Heenan speaks about working with Pivotal during our first year

• Date

  Thu 24 Sep

Pivotal’s approach to Research

Dr Ben Harper Pivotal’s Research Manager explaining Pivotal’s approach to research. Dr Harper also outlines some of the new projects and research that we have planned in the next year.

• Date

  Wed 23 Sep

Pivotal’s first year– a reflection from Professor Richard English.

Pivotal is one year old this week. Here QUB Pro Vice–Chancellor Professor Richard English talks about our partnership.

• Date

  Wed 23 Sep

Pivotal’s first year

Pivotal is one year old this week. Here Director Ann Watt talks about Pivotal’s first year.

• Date

  Mon 21 Sep

Priorities for recovery

Our most recent report explores the priorities for recovery as the Executive returns from recess.

• Date

  Thu 3 Sep

We are recruiting for a Research Assistant

Pivotal is recruiting for a new research assistant. This is an exciting opportunity to work for the public policy think tank in Northern Ireland.

• Date

  Thu 27 Aug

Pivotal and Tedx collaboration

We are excited to announce our collaboration with Tedx Derry Londonderry which commences in Autumn 2020. Pivotal will work in collaboration with Tedx Derry Londonderry to complete research to understand what change young people wish to see in Northern Ireland. This project will be part of our wider Vision 2040 research plan. Further details about our collaborative project will be released in September.

• Date

  Fri 21 Aug

Covid–19 in Northern Ireland– a new economic vision

The Executive’s economic response to Covid–19 cannot try to turn back the clock– it must transform Northern Ireland.

• Date

  Wed 24 Jun

Covid–19 in Northern Ireland: moving out of lockdown

The Northern Ireland Executive’s plans for easing lockdown are a good start, but a continued focus is needed on building up testing capacity and contact tracing.

• Date

  Wed 27 May

Pivotal response to Northern Ireland Affairs Committee Inquiry into New Decade, New Approach

Pivotal response to Northern Ireland Affairs Committee Inquiry into New Decade, New Approach

• Date

  Wed 8 Apr

Pivotal response to RHI Inquiry

Read Pivotal’s response to the RHI Inquiry report.

• Date

  Fri 13 Mar

Good Government in Northern Ireland

Past governments at Stormont lacked a common purpose, avoided difficult choices, and did not plan properly for the long–term. It will take a change in culture to turn this around, according to a report from the think tank Pivotal.

• Date

  Thu 5 Mar

Pivotal welcomes New Decade, New Approach

Local health waiting lists are off the scale, our schools system fails many children, and our society is still held back by serious divisions. A major policy overhaul is needed to take on Northern Ireland’s problems – it is now up to local politicians to make Stormont work.

• Date

  Fri 10 Jan

Northern Ireland needs urgent policy change

With another election over, now is the time for politicians to turn their attention to a crumbling health service, struggling economy and inequalities in education.

• Date

  Mon 16 Dec

Moving forward – putting Northern Ireland on track for the future.

Pivotal’s first report sets out the economic and social challenges facing Northern Ireland.

• Date

  Tue 19 Nov

First event for Northern Ireland’s new public policy think tank

• Date

  Mon 30 Sep

New public policy think tank for Northern Ireland

Pivotal, a new public policy think tank for Northern Ireland, has launched today. Pivotal aims to help Northern Ireland prosper by encouraging better public policy and involving a wider range of people in policy debate.

• Date

  Wed 25 Sep

Pivotal Launch Flyer

Download and print our launch flyer.

• Date

  Wed 25 Sep