For the first time, 11 government departments (and the Scottish and Welsh Assembly Governments) published reports that showed how they were helping disabled people to achieve equality.
Source: Press release 1 December 2008, Department for Work and Pensions (020 7712 2171)
Links: DWP press release | Overview report | Links to reports
Date: 2008-Dec
A survey examined social attitudes among people in Wales, together with their experiences of discrimination, harassment, and victimization. Respondents aged 70 and over were more than three times as likely as those aged 16-29 to agree that only white people could be truly Welsh. Respondents living in workless households were more likely than others to strongly disagree with the statement that Muslims who lived in Wales make a positive contribution to society.
Source: Social Attitudes in Wales: Results from the Living in Wales Survey 2007, Welsh Assembly Government (029 2082 5111)
Links: Report
Date: 2008-Nov
The older people's watchdog for Wales published its first annual report. Future areas of work would include advocacy and advice services, elder abuse, health provision, the funding of social care, and domestic energy costs.
Source: Coming of Age, Older People's Commission for Wales (08442 640 670)
Links: Report | BBC report
Date: 2008-Oct
A study examined the impact of new migration on receiving communities in south Wales, in particular on community, integration, and cohesion. For new migrants, economic integration seemed a necessary precursor to inclusion and cohesion; those who were able to work were viewed more favourably by settled populations. But economic integration was no guarantee. Discrimination and negative media portrayals were cited as particular barriers by new migrants.
Source: Terry Threadgold et al., Immigration and Inclusion in South Wales, York Publishing Services for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from York Publishing Services Ltd (01904 430033)
Links: Report | JRF Findings | JRF press release
Date: 2008-Jul
The Welsh Assembly government published a strategy for increasing support for refugees.
Source: Refugee Inclusion Strategy, Welsh Assembly Government (029 2082 5111)
Links: Strategy | BBC report
Date: 2008-Jun
The education inspectorate in Wales said that schools needed to focus on improving the basic literacy skills of boys in order to start closing the gap between boys' and girls' attainment in schools.
Source: Closing the Gap between Boys' and Girls' Attainment in Schools, HM Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales (029 2044 6446)
Links: Report | HMCIETW press release
Date: 2008-Mar
