Policy and Research Reports

The Foundation's policy and research reports present the findings of our research and other projects, and offer an in-depth yet accessible look at contemporary social and economic issues.

If you can't find what you are looking for try our other publications page or the archive pages

Delegates Demand Faster Pharmaceuticals

Paying the Price of Being Poor

Low income households face extra costs for fuel, financial services and education according to a new Bevan Foundation report. Paying the Price of Being Poor looks at what should be done to help low income households who are penalised simply because they do not have buying power.

The report was launched on Tuesday 17th November 2009.

Paying the Price of Being Poor (916 kb PDF) English

Press Release (109 kb Pdf) English

Digital Wales, Divided Wales

The project was financially supported by BT

Digital Wales, Divided Wales (PDF 0.5 MB) English

Good to be here: positive aspects of the Heads of the Valleys

This report hits back at the stereotype of poverty and deprivation in the Heads of the Valleys. Using a mixture of statistics, evidence from inspections and independent awards, the Heads of the Valleys emerges as offering a quality of life that is at least as good as - and in some ways better than - that of Wales's big cities.

The project was funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, Caerphilly Teaching LHB, and Tydfil Training.

Good to be Here (PDF 1 MB) English

Read the Western Mail's commentary
                                                                                                                             

What is needed to end child poverty in Wales?

A Joseph Roundtree Foundation report written by Victoria Winckler, Director, Bevan Foundation

This report for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, reviews what has been done to date to tackle child poverty in Wales and considers what is now needed. It draws on work recently undertaken by JRF on child poverty in the UK, putting it in a Welsh context.

What is Needed to end Child Poverty in Wales? (PDF. 111KB) English

Beth sydd ei angen i roi terfyn ar dlodi plant yng Nghymru? (PDF. 121KB) Cymraeg

Download the report from the JRF website

Read the Western Mail Report

What the bloggers have been saying:

• Valleys Mam
• Syniadau
• A Change of Personnel
• Bevan Foundation blog

Equality Issues in Wales: A research review

Filipinos in Neath Port Talbot

Helping People into Jobs: issues for discussion in Merthyr Tydfil

This reportlooks at economic inactivity in Merthyr Tydfil, in the light of the serious health problems the area also faces.
Helping People into Jobs (187 kb Pdf.) English

My job, my future: young workers' attitudes to flexicurity in a cohesion region

by The Bevan Foundation, May 2008

This report looks at the idea of flexicurity - a European idea in which greater labour market flexibility is combined with more welfare security, in the context of west Wales and the Valleys. Based on interviews with 37 young people and responses to internet surveys and forums.

You can download the report in one of the following formats:

• The Executive Summary in English as a PDF file (0.5MB)

• The Executive Summary in Welsh as a PDF file (0.5MB)

• The Executive Summary in French as a PDF file

• The Executive Summary in German as a PDF file

• The full report in English as a PDF file 

Equality and Trades Unions in Wales

Wales TUC Equal at Work Project, by The Bevan Foundation, May 2008

This report looks at the ways in which trades unions in Wales are approaching equality, in terms of their structures, policies and actions on the ground. Based on interviews with a sample of unions.

Children in severe poverty in Wales - an agenda for action

by Save the Children and the Bevan Foundation

This report identifies the numbers of children in Wales living in severe poverty and the characteristics of the households they live in, and then considers what more needs to be done to ensure the Welsh Assembly and UK governments meet their targets of eradicating child poverty in a generation. 

Summary: Children in Severe Poverty in Wales (1mb Pdf.)  English                      Summary: Children in Severe Poverty in Wales (1mb Pdf.)  Cymraeg

Full Report: Children in Severe Poverty in Wales (0.5mb Pdf.) English                            Full Report: Children in Severe Poverty in Wales (0.5mb Pdf.) Cymraeg

Helping People into jobs: issues for discussion in Caerphilly

This study looks at economic inactivity in Caerphilly in the light of proposed reforms to welfare to work programmes.  It concludes that consideration needs to be given to help for older people, improving access to welfare to work support, and addressing concentrations of worklessness.

Accessibility for All - Public Transport and Social Inclusion in Wales

Inability to access services and facilities is now recognised to be a central part of social exclusion.  Whilst this is increasingly recognised in policy, accessibility is still far from reality on the ground. This report outlines ways in which accessibility in Wales might be improved.

Caring and working? A Welsh case study

Policy Paper 13, June 2007, by Victoria Winckler

This study explores the connection between unpaid care and employment, through interviews with 16 carers in Neath Port Talbot.  It concludes that much more needs to be done to provide carers with the support they need to get or stay in paid employment, if they so wish.

Making the most of a smoke-free Wales

Policy Paper 12, February 2007, by Victoria Winckler

On 2nd April 2007 Wales banned smoking in public places and workplaces. This report explores whether institutions were ready to make sure the ban is a success in protecting people from the effects of second -hand smoke and enouraging smokers to quit.

Measuring Up: Progress towards equality for women in Wales

Policy Paper 11, December 2006,  by Victoria Winckler

This report defines eleven key indicators of progress towards equality and then assess how much change there has been over the last 20 years. It finds that in some areas there have been great strides forward but in others - notably fear of crime - there has been little change.

Dreaming of £250 a week: a scoping study of in-work poverty in Wales

Policy Paper 10, October 2006, by Peter Kenway and Victoria Winckler

The paper reviews the statistical evidence on the growth of in-work poverty in Wales, and concludes that low pay and the hours worked by households is critically important to shaping whether or not a household lives in poverty. Factors such as above or below expected housing costs also play a role in determinig whether or not a household has a poverty income. The report also sets out the views of 12 low paid workers interviewed as part of the project.

Active Lives: Physical Activity in Disadvantaged Communities

Social justice in the economy and employment

Policy Paper 8, January 2006, by Victoria Winckler

The paper contends that while social justice is a key aim of the Welsh Assembly Government, public policy in the fields of the economy and employment has been focussed mainly on increasing GDP. To address this ‘social justice deficit’, it recommends that the three main social justice goals of full employment, ending poverty pay and recognition and respect in work, should be at the heart of public policy.

Structural Funding in Wales – the next steps

Policy Paper 7, May 2005, by Victoria Winckler

The paper examines future funding for Wales after 2006. The research found that there was strong support for a more considered approach to the preparation of the next programme – one which is based on evidence of what works rather than a shopping list for funding. Lessons from current and past programmes need to be taken on board, along with improved delivery on the ground

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