Pivotal Policy Podcasts

Ann Watt talks to Dr Graham Gault, Director of the National Association of Head Teachers in Northern Ireland, about challenges in education here.Graham speaks about the huge impacts of falling school budgets, the effects on children and school staff, and the need for significant improvements in provision for children with Special Educational Needs.

Mark Huddleston, Managing Director of jheSOLUTIONS talks to Ann Watt about skills, productivity, innovation and inclusion.Mark emphasises the importance of a strong cross-government approach to boosting productivity through improved skills, infrastructure and innovation.

Jay Buntin, Co-Founder and Director of Pure Mental NI, speaks to Ann Watt about their work making the case for effective support for young people’s mental health in schools. Jay also talks about setting up Pure Mental and young people’s engagement in politics and policy.

Ann Watt speaks to Dr Noel Purdy, Director of the Centre for Research in Educational Underachievement at Stranmillis University College, about narrowing the gap in educational attainment in Northern Ireland. Noel talks about the recommendations in the recent ‘A Fair Start’ report and emphasises the importance of the Executive giving a clear commitment to funding its implementation.

Professor John Turner from Queen’s University Belfast speaks to Ann Watt about Northern Ireland’s productivity challenge. John talks about some of the key explanations for Northern Ireland’s low productivity and the policies needed to address them. He emphasises the importance of political stability, innovation and improved education and skills.

Jonny Currie, Northern Ireland network link for the Trussell Trust, speaks to Ann Watt about the impact of the huge recent increases in the cost of living in Northern Ireland. Jonny talks about how people are being forced into debt because of problems with the social security system, unexpected changes in circumstances and a lack of support networks. He calls for urgent action from the Executive, for example agreeing and implementing an anti-poverty strategy.

Ann Watt talks to Mark Taylor, consultant surgeon and Northern Ireland Director for the Royal College of Surgeons, about the challenges facing the health service. After a brutal two years of managing Covid, both recovery and reconfiguration are needed. Mark emphasises the need for political leadership and decisive action to address waiting lists and reform service delivery.