Pivotal

Pivotal Platform

Pivotal Platform is a home for guest writers to contribute their perspectives on public policy debates in Northern Ireland. The views expressed are not necessarily those of Pivotal.

The high cost of delay: how infrastructure delays threaten Northern Ireland’s renewable targets

Shane Corcoran is a Policy Analyst at RenewableNI, specialising in grid infrastructure and electricity markets. In this article, he highlights the urgent need to accelerate grid development to meet Northern Ireland’s renewable electricity targets. He argues that unlocking the full potential of clean energy will require coordinated action across government, regulators, and industry to remove barriers, prevent delays, reduce costs for consumers, and deliver a zero–carbon electricity system.

  • Date

    Wed 16 Apr

Maintaining momentum in Northern Ireland’s thriving cyber security sector

Northern Ireland has established itself as a global leader in cyber security. At the core of our success has been the visionary and innovative work of our universities and the talented individuals which they have nurtured, which, coupled with our region’s success in attracting significant foreign direct investment, has created a dynamic local ecosystem, clustering around Belfast and the North–West providing high quality and well–paid jobs.

  • Date

    Wed 9 Apr

Delivering on Active Travel: a holistic, place–based approach for more sustainable communities.

At the end of February 2025, consultation closed on the Department for Infrastructure’s Active Travel Delivery Plan (ATDP). The ATDP sets out “how the Department for Infrastructure will prioritise and deliver high–quality active travel infrastructure for shorter everyday journeys within urban and rural settlements over the next 10 years and beyond”.

  • Date

    Wed 2 Apr

Trauma and mental health in NI: what are the Executive doing to address the burden?

In response to increased awareness of the extent of poor mental health in NI, and commitments to improve services in the New Decade New Approach and the Stormont House Agreements, Minister Swann launched The Mental Health Strategy in June 2021

  • Date

    Wed 26 Mar

NI Productivity 2040: Addressing Northern Ireland’s productivity gap for greater prosperity

Northern Ireland has long struggled to close the productivity gap with the UK. At the Northern Ireland Productivity Forum we published a new report, NI Productivity 2040: Addressing Northern Ireland’s productivity gap for greater prosperity. We identified not only the challenges faced, but the relationship between these challenges, and provided a roadmap for how the Northern Ireland Executive can close the gap by 2040 through greater joined–up policymaking.

  • Date

    Wed 19 Mar

Breaking the cycle: addressing health inequalities for people with learning disabilities

Health inequalities are a significant concern for marginalised and disadvantaged groups living in Northern Ireland. These disparities result from years of chronic underfunding, systemic failures, and the enduring legacy of conflict. The compounded effects of these challenges have left vulnerable communities struggling to access equitable healthcare and achieve positive health outcomes.

  • Date

    Wed 12 Mar

A Bicycle Strategy for Northern Ireland: 10–year progress report

Belfast’s recent attack of congestion was, in part caused by too many cars with no safe cycle alternatives. Congestion isn’t just a Belfast phenomenon – the picture is similar across NI. Cycling is an effective tool in tackling congestion and CO2 emissions while boosting health, the economy and productivity.

  • Date

    Wed 5 Mar

Looking back on a year of Pivotal Platform: a blog for policy ideas and challenges

Over the last year Pivotal Platform has hosted a wealth of analysis of the policy challenges facing Northern Ireland, along with innovations, solutions and fresh approaches with the potential to improve the quality of life for citizens.

  • Date

    Wed 26 Feb

The Evolution of Youth Services: defining a new role for the Community and Voluntary Sector

Youth Services in Northern Ireland have played a critical role in the lives of many children and young people over many decades. However, as we move forward, maintaining these youth services will become increasingly challenging if we do not centralise the role of the community and voluntary sector in delivering all youth work in Northern Ireland.

  • Date

    Mon 24 Feb

The sight loss community deserve accessible health information

RNIB (The Royal National Institute of Blind People) asks why in a world in which we routinely receive text message confirmations for everything from a hair appointment to a dinner reservation, can we not receive our health information in an accessible format as well?

  • Date

    Wed 19 Feb

Leading Change Together: The Ideas Fund and collaborative community research

In January 2021 we at the North–West Community Network began our journey with the British Science Association, home to The Ideas Fund initiative. We were embarking on a new and exciting project – to fulfil a Development Coordinator role within the Derry City & Strabane council area – supporting groups with their projects.

  • Date

    Wed 12 Feb

Reimagining Northern Ireland’s broken children’s social care system

The publication of the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care Services in Northern Ireland authored by Professor Ray Jones in 2023 painted a bleak picture. The Review reported families in urgent need, unable to access the support they required. Disturbingly, evidence since the publication of the Review suggests the situation has worsened

  • Date

    Wed 5 Feb

Providing value for money in frontline educational provision in Northern Ireland

At a time when finite financial resources are so stretched, it is prudent to identify where efficient use of money can be evidentially demonstrated and to learn lessons as to how best to allocate funding if delivering outcomes for children is our genuine objective.

  • Date

    Wed 29 Jan

Why Northern Ireland needs to invest in the arts

When global icons like Ed Sheeran and Gary Lightbody step forward to support the music community, it’s more than just generosity—it’s a call to action. Their work with grassroots organisations, music education, and emerging talent not only inspires but also highlights a critical issue: the chronic underfunding of the arts in Northern Ireland.

  • Date

    Wed 22 Jan

The care system at the brink: the need for reform

Next week, 22 January, Carers UK marks the Sixtieth anniversary of the charity in Northern Ireland with a special event at Stormont, themed around equality: today and tomorrow. NI’s carers deserve greater equality, support and further recognition in the future.

  • Date

    Wed 15 Jan

Food allergies: a public health crisis demanding immediate action

While these tragedies have sparked important individual policy changes like Natasha’s Law and Owen’s Law, this piecemeal approach to reform is insufficient. What’s urgently needed is a comprehensive public health policy framework that coordinates and strengthens these individual measures to provide robust, consistent protection for people living with food allergies.

  • Date

    Thu 9 Jan

Social work in Northern Ireland: sustaining a workforce to meet society’s needs

People join the social work profession because they want to make a positive difference to the lives of children, families and individuals across society. However, for social work to deliver meaningful change, we must start by ensuring the correct number of social workers are in the correct roles.

  • Date

    Wed 4 Dec

Resolving Northern Ireland’s Housing and Infrastructure Crisis

The devolved administration in Northern Ireland now has the opportunity to change its land compensation laws for the benefit of the residents of Northern Ireland and its economy. By amending a 1982 Act, it could bring Northern Ireland in–line with European norms and help fund a wave of new infrastructure and housing.

  • Date

    Wed 27 Nov

We have the traffic we designed for – time to pivot?

Travelling in, out and through Belfast by car by so many has led to a city not moving very fast in any direction. We must move many of these drivers onto sustainable modes of transport and the easiest way to do so is to provide clear, frequent transit corridors and bike lanes that connect to transit.

  • Date

    Wed 20 Nov

Transatlantic Ties: the evolving business relationship between Northern Ireland and Canada

Northern Ireland and Canada have long enjoyed a rich cultural and commercial relationship, rooted in shared heritage and mutual opportunities. Now, with the establishment of Invest NI’s new Canadian Advisory Council, this bond is set to strengthen further.

  • Date

    Wed 13 Nov

Creating climate citizens – how DAERA can lead the way

The climate crisis demands transformation of our politics too. If we want policies that truly tackle the emergency we find ourselves in, we need to tap into the wisdom, insight, and lived experience of communities on the frontlines. Northern Ireland has a unique opportunity to lead the way by making participation a foundation of its climate response.

  • Date

    Wed 6 Nov

A journey to elimination — rethinking youth sport culture for Northern Ireland

Although striving for success is positive, focusing heavily on competitive outcomes is not well aligned with young people’s key motivations and can create barriers, discouraging many from staying involved in sport.

  • Date

    Wed 30 Oct

Translating devolution into economic prosperity

Book review. Paul Collier, Left Behind: A New Economics for Neglected Places.

  • Date

    Wed 23 Oct

Ending violence against women and girls: the scale of the challenge

Women and Girls do not feel safe here. This cannot continue to happen. Women’s Aid Federation NI have long campaigned for an end to violence against women and girls and on 9 March 2021, launched a petition calling for an Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) strategy.

  • Date

    Wed 16 Oct

Getting something for nothing – the real cost to General Practice in Northern Ireland

When it comes to healthcare our society quite rightly expects it to be good quality, timely and free at the point of need but the gap between expectation and reality here is growing and its impact perpetuating the problem. Nowhere is that starker in Northern Ireland then with general practice.

  • Date

    Wed 9 Oct

Embracing the public as assets – the need for a strategic approach to public participation

The Patient and Client Council (PCC), has an independent statutory remit to represent the interests of the public in Health and Social Care (HSC). Our vision is for a HSC service actively shaped by the needs and experience of the public.

  • Date

    Wed 2 Oct

Transforming local government in Northern Ireland

Councils in Northern Ireland are operating in an increasingly challenging environment. They are facing constrained finances, skills and capacity shortages, and a rapidly rising demand for critical services. We need our councils to do more than just survive – but how can this be achieved? They must be proactive, collaborative, and constantly evolving to improve outcomes for residents.

  • Date

    Wed 25 Sep

Addressing the barriers facing homebuilding in Northern Ireland

For some 15 years, Northern Ireland has, on an annual basis, built only around 50–60% of its new build housing need. Taken cumulatively over that period, that has resulted in a dearth of new supply of housing of all types further exacerbating our social housing waiting list and the difficulties many have in being able to move from home rental to home ownership.

  • Date

    Wed 18 Sep

Northern Ireland urgently needs more social and affordable housing

Housing is becoming an increasingly topical conversation within political and media debate. A growing waiting list in Northern Ireland combined with a lack of appropriate funding to keep pace with rising homelessness and demand for social housing has brought us to a moment of crisis today.

  • Date

    Wed 11 Sep

The Protocol/Windsor Framework and the 2024 Democratic Consent Vote

On 20 January 2020, Stormont’s MLAs declined to give their consent to the terms of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union (EU). The outcome mattered little, however. MPs in Westminster had already voted in favour of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill and the House of Lords approved it three days later. Stormont had been ignored.

  • Date

    Wed 4 Sep

Making sure public money is spent properly

This summer marks two years since I took up post as Northern Ireland’s Comptroller and Auditor General. In that time, we have seen our public sector move out of a pandemic, which saw unprecedented levels of public spending, into a new period of rising inflation, budgetary pressures and growing demands on public services.

  • Date

    Mon 22 Jul

New choices for Northern Ireland in a changing UK and Europe: divergence and alignment in times of electoral upheaval

Ever since 2016, questions of policy divergence and alignment in Northern Ireland have been simmering in the background, with a few moments (sausage wars! arsenic in cake!) nearing boiling point.

  • Date

    Wed 17 Jul

Who Cares About Cancer? Why stabilisation and transformation are critical to cancer care in NI

In a perfect reality, this shouldn’t be a question that needs to be asked. Sadly, in a world filled with growing apathy, we find ourselves in a situation where people are being failed by decision–makers and are left wondering, who actually cares about cancer? With significant pressure growing across our public services and as the strain on NI’s budget intensifies, decision–makers are at significant risk of failing an ever–growing number of people with cancer.

  • Date

    Tue 9 Jul

What goes on behind the scenes of a UK general election

After almost six weeks of campaigning, the UK general election is nearly upon us. As the public gets ready to head to the polls tomorrow, Thursday 4 July, the Electoral Office and Electoral Commission has been busy behind the scenes ensuring this general election runs smoothly.

  • Date

    Wed 3 Jul

How will choices made by the next UK Government affect Northern Ireland?

If the polls are correct, it looks like it will be all–change at Westminster. What will that mean for Northern Ireland? Let’s take a dive into eight decisions facing the next UK Government to see how they might impact here.

  • Date

    Wed 26 Jun

Empowering voices: the importance of marginalised voices in policy making

I’m going against all the wisdom of great orators—they say not to start with your credentials when writing or giving a speech. But the thing is, I’m forever going against the tide, or at least that’s how it’s felt since I can remember.

  • Date

    Wed 19 Jun

Childcare can play a key role in tackling disadvantage – but must be invested in as critical economic and societal infrastructure

Early learning and childcare is key to lifting families out of poverty and giving children the best start in life, but, at present, the system in Northern Ireland is letting families down and not achieving its potential to tackle disadvantage. Our proposals put tackling disadvantage at the heart of a childcare system that works not just for parents, but improves our economy, our communities and our society as a whole.

  • Date

    Wed 12 Jun

“Events, Dear Boy” – How a UK General Election affects devolved government in Northern Ireland

Elections change things – obviously – or sometimes they confirm trends that have been known but maybe not fully acknowledged. And, quite often, something unforeseen happens that shifts events out of all proportion. Most strikingly, the 2017 General Election, which seriously weakened the May administration, and the 2019 European Parliament Elections, when the Brexit Party’s success moved the Conservative Party in its direction, were both significant gamechangers in the Brexit process.

  • Date

    Wed 5 Jun

The unfinished business of transformation through Early Intervention

The Independent Review of Children’s Social Care Services in Northern Ireland highlights significant rising demand for statutory support, but flattening the curve and preventing more children entering care will require investment in the innovative and non–stigmatising initiatives of Community and Voluntary Sector organisations working directly with vulnerable families.

  • Date

    Wed 29 May

Record levels of charitable food aid: addressing Northern Ireland’s unwelcome record

Facebook pages appealing for essential items, huge wire metal baskets at supermarket checkouts, shelves of green plastic crates in the background of a TV interview with a tired and exasperated volunteer. It’s difficult to imagine a Northern Ireland now where these images are not commonplace.

  • Date

    Wed 22 May

It is now time for targets in law for nature’s restoration

It is now just over 100 days since the Northern Ireland Assembly returned to much fanfare after a two–year hiatus. This is of course to be welcomed and it has been heartening to see the First and deputy First Ministers attending public events together, often crossing the political divide

  • Date

    Wed 15 May

Rebalancing the Northern Ireland Economy – the Role of Social Enterprise

Social Enterprise places social impact rather than shareholder returns as the primary market driver within its social business model – ‘profit with purpose’. Social Enterprise is often misrepresented as the new economic ‘kid on the block’, which I suspect, stems primarily from a traditional economic perspective of our economy based on a ‘duopoly’ built around the relationship and interaction between the public and private sectors.

  • Date

    Wed 8 May

The jewel in the crown – NI’s health and social care workforce

Ask anyone in the street about the health service in Northern Ireland and they’ll tell you a story about waiting lists. It could be themselves they’re talking about, a sibling, parent, a child or a friend. Everyone has a story.

  • Date

    Wed 24 Apr

Carer’s Allowance is condemning tens of thousands to poverty and despair

Over the last 15 months, the Carer Poverty Commission has been examining the scale and drivers of poverty among those caring for sick or disabled family members and friends in Northern Ireland. We found that 28% of local carers are living below the poverty line, which is significantly higher than the non–carer population here (17%) and reflective of the immense extra costs and insurmountable barriers to employment that so many carers deal with day–to–day.

  • Date

    Wed 17 Apr

Reclaiming the Common Good

In Northern Ireland we have made an art form of dividing people into them and us, but as the country has changed it has become clear that we no longer have just two communities. We have at least four: nationalist, unionist, the so–called middle ground who would not designate as either, and the growing diverse community of people who were not born on the island of Ireland and who did not grow up steeped in the history and culture of orange and green.

  • Date

    Wed 10 Apr

Taking Boys Seriously: tackling compounded educational disadvantage

Our education system in Northern Ireland is at a critical juncture. Following significant resources invested in two expert reviews – A Fair Start (2021) and Investing in a Better Future (2023) – actions are now required to bring about more equitable opportunities and outcomes, especially for the most disadvantaged learners.

  • Date

    Wed 27 Mar

The Leadership Challenge of Northern Ireland: Place, Past and Transitional Spaces

As Northern Ireland embarks on another ‘new start’ to governance, the need for leadership has been a major refrain from those inside and outside the region. One of the things that characterises political leadership in Northern Ireland is how individuals speak and act with passion and genuine concern for their own homeplace.

  • Date

    Wed 20 Mar

Tackling isolation and loneliness through social prescribing

Isolation and loneliness can be emotionally devastating for older adults. They are also a trigger for high levels of demand on health services, including on GPs and A&E. Reducing loneliness can cut costs for the NHS, as well as improve the quality of life for the people involved.

  • Date

    Wed 13 Mar

Uncapped costs of school uniforms are causing harm

Every summer it’s the same old story, Northern Ireland’s airwaves and frontpages are dominated by conversations around the impact of the uncapped cost of school uniforms and PE kits. This deepening shadow is preventing many children from enjoying their right to education.

  • Date

    Mon 4 Mar

How can government policy improve Northern Ireland’s productivity?

Productivity is crucial for an economy’s health, but it is an area where Northern Ireland persistently underperforms.

  • Date

    Wed 28 Feb

Do or Die: Why Principles of Democracy are Pivotal

As our first guest author in the Pivotal Platform series, Professor Katy Hayward describes the fragile state of democracy at home and abroad that accompanies the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive. She argues for a re–engagement with the fundamental principles of democracy, and commends the role of Pivotal and others in the provision of information, understanding and analysis.

  • Date

    Thu 22 Feb

Launching Pivotal Platform: a new home for ideas and analysis

Today we’re pleased to launch Pivotal Platform, a new regular blog series where guest authors share their analysis and ideas about policy issues.

  • Date

    Tue 20 Feb

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