Yesterday our PLDP Alumni visited Clare House to meet a group of Civil Service Permanent Secretaries, who discussed their own experiences and careers, working with and without an Executive, decision-making and more. Our thanks to the PermSecs for their time and openness.

"Northern Ireland’s economic future depends on one simple principle: people must be able to get in, get around, and stay longer to spend more." A new guest Pivotal Platform blog, by the Northern Ireland Connectivity Coalition: lnkd.in/eTRAEwh8

It's too easy to forget there's political life beyond Westminster. Important stuff here from leading Northern Ireland think tank @pivotalpolicy.bsky.social on how Northern Ireland's Assembly processes could be reformed. www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/new...

NEW Pivotal report published this morning - 'Improving the institutions: suggested reforms to the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive' Read the report here www.pivotalpolicy.org/assets/files...

Coming soon... Keep an eye out for a new Pivotal research report coming on Monday - "Improving the institutions: Suggested reforms to the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive"

"At a time when we need to move quickly to reduce exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets, the way we’re operating feels out of step with the urgency of the moment." Shane Corcoran, from RenewableNI, with a new guest blog for Pivotal Platform. lnkd.in/eGv7jRaq

"What’s happening on the ground in EDs is a consequence of overcrowding and a lack of beds. But the interventions don’t match that." Dr Michael Perry of @rcem.ac.uk writes a new guest blog for Pivotal Platform. www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/piv...

"NI needs an AI skills strategy focused not only on technical expertise but also on adaptability and lifelong learning." A Pivotal Platform guest blog from Ruth Donaldson, @djordanecon.bsky.social, Seán McDonald & @profjohnturner.bsky.social of NI Productivity. www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/piv...

Read Pivotal's analysis of the new Alan Milburn led review of Young People and Work: www.linkedin.com/pulse/young-...

🚨 New report out today! Disabled people in Northern Ireland are almost 2x as likely to live in poverty as non-disabled people, in some of the first research of it's kind in NI. Hear @sheenamcmullen.bsky.social and Christine Ellison set out their findings and what can be done 👇

Yesterday's PfG Annual Report publication is an important moment to step back and measure the Executive's performance against its flagship policies, with a year to go before the next election. Read Pivotal's analysis below. www.linkedin.com/pulse/progra...

"How can policymakers ensure that young people are equipped with the skills to navigate a religiously diverse society?" @johnmaiden.bsky.social, of @religiousstudiesou.bsky.social, is this week's guest contributor to Pivotal Platform. www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/piv...

"The Stroke Association’s Saving Brains campaign is calling for every eligible patient in NI to have access to thrombectomy, no matter when they have their stroke." Lauren Shaw, of the Stroke Association in NI, with a new guest blog for Pivotal Platform. www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/piv...

“The primary reason homes are not being built is because our wastewater infrastructure is on the brink”. Paul McErlean from Build Homes NI writes a new guest blog for Pivotal Platform. www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/piv...

"Digital transformation is not only for large corporate organisations." Iggy O'Doherty is this week's guest contributor on Pivotal Platform. www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/piv...

To mark International Day of the Midwife, Dr Hannah McCauley, of Queen's University School of Nursing and Midwifery, contributes a guest article for Pivotal Platform. www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/piv...

This week's guest author for Pivotal Platform is Nora Smith from @cancerfocusni.bsky.social, reflecting on the new Tobacco and Vapes Act which passed into law this week. www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/piv...

As we approach the final year of the current political mandate, it is essential that nitrogen and phosphorus governance is better aligned and coordinated". A new guest article for Pivotal Platform from Aine Anderson and Jack Blakiston Houston for BH Estates. www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/piv...

"The challenge now is not to create more plans, but to ensure that this one is realised through action, collaboration, and a genuine commitment to community-led regeneration.” A new guest article for Pivotal Platform from Billy Drummond of BUILD Shankill. www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/piv...

"Northern Ireland has demonstrated that it can move on women’s health policy. The next challenge is ensuring women can move confidently within the system itself." Precious Obasohan, founder of SHE, is this week's guest writer on Pivotal Platform. www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/piv...

International uncertainty "should focus our attention on strengthening the fundamental foundations of domestic economic growth and resilience." Ben Fletcher, of @logisticsuk.bsky.social, writes for our guest blog series Pivotal Platform. www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/piv...

"Whilst recognising and celebrating progress, it is impossible to ignore the myriad challenges facing women in NI." Following International Women's Day, Dervilia Kernaghan from @womensplatformni.bsky.social writes for our guest blog series. www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/piv...

Pivotal has responded to the consultation on the proposed draft multi-year budget for the NI Executive. In our response we provide analysis of the unprecedented funding position and make some suggestions about how it can best be handled. Read here pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/new...

"Too much time and energy is wasted today on fuelling political divisions rather than finding solutions. Somehow, ministers must rediscover the spirit of compromise that underpinned the Belfast Agreement." Ann Watt writes for The Irish Times Common Ground www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...

What's the 'State of the State' in Northern Ireland? Read our article that takes a look at the latest report from @deloitteinsights.bsky.social and @re-state.bsky.social about what the public and senior leaders think about how well government is working here www.linkedin.com/pulse/state-...

"Mixed tenure is a new way of working for private developers, housing associations and the various government agencies involved." A new guest article on Pivotal Platform from Mark Graham of Co-Ownership. www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/piv...

As part of Imagine join Ann Watt @pivotalpolicy.bsky.social Jodie Carson @ulsteruni.bsky.social & Suzanne Breen @belfasttelegraph.co.uk sluggerotoole.com/2026/02/23/s...

What are the challenges facing the NI Executive in managing its budget? Pivotal has provided oral and written evidence to the NI Assembly Finance Committee about the proposed draft multi-year budget. Read our evidence and view a clip here pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/new...

"NI’s woodland creation targets are ambitious, necessary and publicly supported, but they will remain aspirational without the structural changes required to deliver them." John Martin of the Woodland Trust is this week's guest contributor to Pivotal Platform pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/piv...

"When policymakers and organisations engage directly with carers, through conversations, workshops, or storytelling, the picture becomes richer, more honest, and more grounded in reality" A new guest article for Pivotal Platform, this week from Ellie Goff. www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/piv...

Read Pivotal's analysis of the Department of Education's five-year budget strategy here: www.linkedin.com/pulse/five-y...

NEW Pivotal tracker report reviews two years of the restored Northern Ireland Executive Read the report here www.pivotalpolicy.org/assets/files...

Look out tomorrow morning for Pivotal's new tracker report reviewing the two years since the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive in February 2024.

Last night our PLDP cohort heard from Suzanne Wylie from NI Chamber about the challenges and opportunities in local government and business, and from our senior researcher James about research skills and research ethics. An enjoyable and engaging session all round!

"For too long our homelessness response has been focused almost entirely downstream, rescuing people once they are already in crisis." A new guest article for Pivotal Platform, by Cathy Brolly from the Simon Community. www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/piv...

"People with MS want to work. Many already do. Many more could continue working for longer with the right support." Naomi McBurney, of the MS Society in Northern Ireland (@mssocietyuk.bsky.social), is this week's guest writer on Pivotal Platform. www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/piv...

Last night we held the first session of our second PLDP cohort! We discussed the fundamentals of politics and policy in Northern Ireland as well as the topics and issues that inspire them. It is great to be back with a whole new group of dedicated young policy leaders.

Ann Watt writes about the proposed draft multi-year budget in today's Belfast Telegraph - "an opportunity that cannot be missed" www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/news...

Today the Finance Minister will make an oral statement in the Assembly about his proposed draft multi-year Budget. You can read Pivotal's initial analysis of the proposed draft Budget here linkedin.com/pulse/propos... Some areas where it would be good to know more ⬇️ 1/3

"Any policy response that treats online harm as generic will fail to grasp the mechanisms that make it so dangerous for women of faith." This week's guest blog on Pivotal Platform is by Mischa Gerrard, a member of the Faith & VAWG Coalition. www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/piv...

NEW Pivotal Briefing looks at the challenges and opportunities facing the Northern Ireland Executive as it considers its upcoming multi-year budget Read the Briefing here pivotalpolicy.org/assets/files...

👀New Pivotal Briefing on Northern Ireland's multi-year budget coming out on Monday

Joan McEwan from @mariecurieuk.bsky.social in Northern Ireland is today's guest contributor to Pivotal Platform. Discussing the approach needed to ensure "high-quality, integrated palliative care is delivered where and when patients need it most." www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/piv...

Pivotal's response to the UK Budget. www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/new...

On World Children's Day, a new guest blog on Pivotal Platform from the NI Commissioner for Children and Young People, @nichildcom.bsky.social, Chris Quinn. www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/piv...

A new Pivotal report, 'Voluntary and community sector-led approaches to economic inactivity', commissioned by @NICVA has been launched at Stormont. Details and a link to the full report here - www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/new...

"It’s now time to work together and ensure that NI sets the standard when it comes to protecting workers from the impact of extreme weather events." Susan Fitzgerald, Regional Secretary of @unitetheunion.bsky.social, guest writes for Pivotal Platform. www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/piv...

"Arthritis has a massive impact on society and is a leading cause of pain, disability, mental ill-health and inability to work." John McCormick of @arthritisuk.bsky.social is this week's guest contributor to Pivotal Platform. www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/piv...

"Focusing too much on what’s happening at the frontier distracts from more meaningful questions for most organisations." Donnacha Kirk, of the Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre (AICC), is this week's guest contributor to Pivotal Platform. www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/piv...

"The animal welfare sector is unified on and ready for much needed change to be breathed in to outdated and insufficient legislation." Laura Orr of @dogstrust.bsky.social is this week's guest contributor to Pivotal Platform. www.pivotalpolicy.org/our-work/piv...