The Wales Centre for Public Policy receives £9m investment

The Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) at Cardiff University has been awarded £9m over the next five years to continue its research.

The funding will allow academics at the Centre to continue providing policy makers and public service leaders with independent evidence on a range of issues, helping them to improve policy making and delivery.

Over the last five years, the WCPP has published more than 200 reports and policy briefings on key policy challenges including recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, tackling poverty and inequalities, the transition to Net-Zero, supporting vulnerable children and young people, and combating loneliness and social isolation.

The Centre is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, Welsh Government and Cardiff University. Located in Cardiff University’s Social Science Research Park, Spark, it is a member of the UK’s What Works Centre and works with experts from around the world to help improve the lives of people in Wales.

Professor Steve Martin, Director of the WCPP, said: “This new investment in the Wales Centre for Public Policy is a powerful demonstration of the value that the ESRC and Welsh Government place on the work we do to ensure that policy makers are able to draw on leading edge research and expertise.

“The next five years will be a crucial time for public services, as we move out of the pandemic and through a challenging economic period. Our academics are ready to provide that vital evidence, so that policy makers are able to develop informed decisions to improve the lives of people in Wales.”