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Connecting growth and poverty reduction

Publication looking at why it is important for cities to connect growth and poverty reduction, and how this can be done.

Written by:
Josh Stott and Mike Campbell
Date published:

When a city’s economy grows, the benefits do not automatically reach people on the lowest incomes.

This publication looks at why it is important for cities to connect growth and poverty reduction, and how this can be done. It draws on examples from the More jobs, better jobs partnership between JRF, Leeds City Council and Leeds City Region. It also assesses what impact the partnership – which aims to reduce poverty by providing decent jobs – has had so far.

The research:

  • Shows how getting people into work or better-paid jobs benefits individuals and communities, and cuts government spending. In Leeds City Region, for example, halving unemployment would boost the economy by more than £950 million a year and would save the government more than £400 million.
  • Explores the extent of poverty, unemployment and the nature of the labour market in Leeds City Region. It predicts how and why these will change in coming years
  • Outlines how the More jobs, better jobs partnership is shaping job growth in Leeds City Region and collecting evidence that should help cities reduce poverty through growth in the future.

The data used in this project is available in more detail in JRF’s More jobs, better jobs baseline study.