Wise in 5
Wise in 5 is a snapshot comparative guide to public policy issues across the nations of the UK and Ireland. It helps you to be PolicyWISE (Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and England) in 5 (it takes just five minutes to read). It includes a summary of the latest policy developments across the nations, as well as related research from PolicyWISE, The Open University and PolicyWISE’s university partners.
Wise in 5: Voting Age
The latest Wise in 5 briefing from PolicyWISE reveals a patchwork of voting rights for 16 and 17 year olds across the UK and Ireland. While young people can vote in devolved elections in Scotland and Wales, they remain excluded from UK-wide elections and all elections in England, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland. This inconsistency has led to growing calls for reform and a unified voting age across all nations. This Wise in 5 briefing was published in April 2025. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information at the time of publication.
Wise in 5: Housing First
With media reports of increasing levels of homelessness and local authorities in Scotland declaring housing emergencies, what are the nations of the United Kingdom and Ireland doing to tackle homelessness in their policy approaches? Housing First (HF) is an international policy response to homelessness which has been adapted and translated into many national contexts. This Wise in 5 was published in April 2025. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information at the time of publication.
Wise in 5: Language Education for Refugees and Migrants in the UK and Ireland
Wise in 5: Language Education for Refugees and Migrants presents a comparative analysis of policy frameworks, highlighting key gaps in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) provision, funding shortages, and the need for multilingual approaches to language education.
This briefing provides a concise, evidence-based overview of the latest policy developments. It underscores that while some parts of the UK do have national integration and ESOL strategies, provision and access is inconsistent and lacking in all nations.
Wise in 5: Tourist Tax
National and city administrations across Europe are introducing tourist taxes (also known as visitor levies). Closer to home, both Scotland and Wales are implementing national tourist tax policies which give local authorities the power to introduce charges. In this Wise in 5, we’re taking a look at these developments, the situation across the UK and Ireland, and cross-nation comparisons. This Wise in 5 was updated December 2024. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information at the time of publication.
Wise in 5: Relationships and sex education
We've taken a look at the state of play and recent developments in relationships and sex education across the nations of the UK and Ireland. This Wise in 5 was updated in November 2024. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information at the time of publication.
Wise in 5: National Commissioners
A comparative analysis of the Commissioners across the nations who hold the title of ‘Commissioner’ and advocate for a group or a particular policy area, defend or promote the rights of certain groups and individuals, and are established in law. This Wise in 5 was updated in October 2024. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information at the time of publication.
Wise in 5: Teenage Vaping
There has been increasing attention on the popularity of vaping amongst teenagers, from media and decision makers, in all the nations of the UK and Ireland. It is likely that new regulations and/or guidance will come into force in all nations in 2025. This Wise in 5 guide focuses on the increased use of e-cigarettes (vapes) by children and young people under the age of 18. This Wise in 5 was updated in October 2024. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information at the time of publication.
Wise in 5: Language Learning in Schools
Concern has increased about the the worsening situation for language learning in the UK and Ireland; sometimes described as a ‘crisis’, with all governments in the UK and Ireland having invested significant resources and time into attempts to reverse the trend. This Wise in 5 was published in October 2024. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information at the time of publication.
Wise in 5: Geodiversity and Geodiversity Charters
Geodiversity forms the landscapes all around us and plays a fundamental role in shaping ecosystems and supporting life. Responsibility for policy and legislation lies with the governments of the UK and Ireland and is set out in this guidance. This Wise in 5 was published October 2024. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information at the time of publication.
Wise in 5: Palliative Care
The vast majority of people will require some form of palliative care towards the end of their life. Responsibility for policy and legislation lies with the governments of the UK and Ireland and is set out in this guidance. This Wise in 5 was published May 2024. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information at the time of publication.
Wise in 5: Cosmetic Procedures - regulations and restrictions
There has been a noticeable increase in people accessing cosmetic procedures, whether it’s getting Botox, a new piercing, a sleeve tattoo or topping up the tan before a holiday. PolicyWISE have set out the regulation and policy landscape in the different nations, including consideration of how and when to licence and limit provision and the use of these services.
Wise in 5: Rough sleeping and national strategies to end it.
Responsibility for homelessness policy and legislation lies with the governments of the UK and Ireland and is set out in this guidance. This Wise in 5 was published December 2023. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information at the time of publication.
Wise in 5: Single-use plastics
Governments are bringing in new regulations to tackle the manufacture and sale of single-use plastics, this guidance sets out what different approaches are being taken. This Wise in 5 was published September 2023 and updated in April 2024. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information at the time of publication.
Wise in 5: Higher and tertiary education regulation
Over the next six months, we will see a significant change in the UK higher and tertiary education policy and regulation landscape, including the new Commission for Tertiary Education and Research (CTER) in Wales which will become operational in Summer 2024. This Wise in 5 was published September 2023, and updated in February 2024. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information at the time of publication.
Wise in 5: Retrofitting residential housing
The nations of the UK and Ireland have some of the least energy-efficient housing stocks in Europe. All governments have set targets to reach net zero, including through the modifications of the physical structures of dwellings and increasing access to different and renewable energy sources (retrofitting). This Wise in 5 was published September 2023. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information at the time of publication.