Future of the UK labour market
Katie Schmuecker
7th Feb 2014
What are the links between jobs, skills and poverty? This round-up brings together a series of projects that explore these links and look at the changing face of employment in Britain.
Key points
- Tax and benefit reforms will fail to tackle poverty unless the lower end of the UK labour market is addressed.
- The UK has a higher number of low-paid, low-skilled jobs than most developed countries and companies must be encouraged to compete more on quality and less on cost.
- There must be greater demand for skilled workers from employers, as well as more focus on staff progression and putting existing skills to use.
Related content
Improving progression in low-paid, low-skilled retail, catering and care jobs
7th Feb 2014
Retail, catering and care jobs form more than half of the UK’s low-paid workforce. Yet little is known about the key role employers play when workers enter and progress in these sectors.
Helping unemployed young people to find private-sector work
7th Feb 2014
This study looks at the experiences of two young people entering work in private-sector companies.
How can local skills strategies help low earners?
7th Feb 2014
This research looks at how local skill strategies which help increase employer demand for skills can improve the prospects of low-wage workers.