Tourism is a vital contributor to the welsh economy, accounting for 13% of welsh GDP and around 172,000 jobs (source). So given its importance, one would have thought that local authorities are keen to provide good public facilities and services…

This week I’ve been writing an updated piece on child poverty for a forthcoming book for social welfare practitioners in Wales which has required some desk-based research on the latest statistics and government plans. The statistics of course make grim…

In two weeks time, Wales will go to the polls in our fourth Assembly Election. But despite the shouting the campaigns so far have failed to come alive. Manifestos have been published, corrected and largely ignored by the electorate. There…

Despite the recent cut in duty applied for petrol, fuel prices have continued to rise to record levels at the pumps. This will increase the prevalence of  Transport Poverty, particularly in areas where people have to commute to jobs, and…

Three of the four 2011 manifestos see a golden future for social enterprises in the economy in Wales.  Labour, Lib Dems and Plaid all promise funding, advice and support for social enterprises and ‘opening-up’ public procurement. The Conservatives promise a…