After a whole year of articles, the Pivotal Platform blog for guest writers is now well established as a home for evidence–led public policy analysis and ideas in Northern Ireland. We are grateful to everyone who has been part of this, either as a contributor or a reader.
Over the last year the blog 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. Contributing their own views guest writers have come from across the community and voluntary sector (CVS), business, professional associations, trade unions, public bodies, campaign groups, and academia.
The 42 guest articles contributed to the blog so far have highlighted the breadth and depth of the challenges currently facing government and society. Space is too short to reference them all, but each article published has valuable, unique, insights and expertise to offer. We greatly appreciate the efforts and contributions of each writer.
The defining issues facing Northern Ireland
The launch of Pivotal Platform coincided with the return of the Northern Ireland Executive in February 2024. As a recent Pivotal report notes, the Executive has displayed positive leadership in the face of a challenging political and economic inheritance, but many tough issues remain to be addressed. The in–tray of each Minister contains a growing list of urgent matters, many of which have been detailed on Pivotal Platform during the year.
A first order issue on the Platform has been the crisis in our health and social care system. Topics covered include: shocking statistics for cancer treatment, the immense challenges facing the workforce, a call for directing resources towards GPs and primary care, the urgent need to reform of the children’s social care system, and the opportunity for better public engagement when shaping health reform.
Blogs have tackled other aspects of public policy also in crisis. A powerful example was provided by Women’s Aid who vividly detailed the shocking levels of violence against women and girls in NI. The continuing increase in the use of food banks as described by the Trussell Trust, unimaginable a generation ago, points to the stark impact of poverty and economic insecurity on many households.
We have hosted a number of articles concerned with the historically low level of housebuilding, including the particular scarcity of affordable and social housing. A creaking wastewater system is one of the main barriers to resolving this housebuilding crisis. NI’s low levels of productivity, challenges around childcare, and the contribution of carers have all also been addressed. Traffic gridlock in Belfast led a campaigner to offer a vision for an expansion of rail. A call for greater recognition and support for the arts resonated with many in the sector and beyond. Other articles have focused on Northern Ireland’s position in the wider world, such as the complex regulatory position in relation to EU–UK relations, lessons in regional policy from other jurisdictions, opportunities for growth in transatlantic trade, and how the Windsor Framework impacts Stormont.
Shared problems, possible solutions
Across this wide variety of topics some recurring themes and priorities are clear. Firstly, there is an understandable widespread demand for additional funding across many of our public services, and for additional resources to support the community and voluntary sector. Putting aside disagreements regarding the precise level of need in Northern Ireland, years of tight budgets and low growth across the UK has placed pressure on many services. The difficult issue of pay awards in this environment ensures that recruiting and retaining staff is a frequent theme on Pivotal Platform.
There is, however, a widespread recognition that in the medium–term budgets will continue to be challenging and that more needs to be done to improve how public services are delivered within current spending. Within the range of probable future budgets, only through reform and innovation will public services, such as schools, deliver better outcomes. Furthermore, as the NI Audit Office reminded us, ensuring transparency and value for taxpayers’ money is vital at a time when “the imperative for an innovative public sector has never been higher.”
In this context, policy approaches such as early intervention will be key. Consideration should also be given to proposals to expand and reform the role of the community and voluntary sector delivering more effective and efficient public services. The success of innovative local projects providing social prescribing provide a powerful example of how new approaches can meet the health challenges of an ageing society.
Visions for a more successful, dynamic, inclusive, economy are vital – not just approaches that question how to divide the existing public spending pie. The connected blockages halting investment in infrastructure and housebuilding are a vivid example of how current policy inaction is damaging the economy and opportunities for those seeking to build homes. Fresh proposals to change the planning and financing of infrastructure need to be considered, if a better future is to be built.
Looking ahead
Northern Ireland needs fresh ideas and analysis to tackle the shortcomings evident in much of our public services, infrastructure, community life, and economy. If the Executive is to deliver much–needed improvements in the delivery of public services, concepts such as transformation, reconfiguration and reform need to become more sharply defined, fleshed out, and implemented. This process will be challenging and will produce much disagreement on where public policy priorities should be – just as it should in a healthy democracy.
As Northern Ireland confronts these public policy choices, Pivotal Platform will continue to be a hub for evidence–led debate and ideas. If you, or your organisation, have public policy approaches or solutions in need of a Platform, please get in touch and be part of the conversation.
James Greer is Senior Researcher at Pivotal with responsibility for Pivotal Platform. If you would like to contribute a blog for Pivotal Platform, please email james@pivotalppf.org
