Overview
New analysis shows that major reforms to our employment and skills system are needed, to avoid weaker jobs growth contributing to higher inflation and falling living standards in the longer term
- Combination of ageing population, falling birth rates and lower labour market migration will see employment grow in the years ahead at less than half the rate than we’ve seen since 2000 – equivalent to 3.4 million fewer people in work by 2040 than if the trends of the last two decades had continued
- At same time, UK has the least well-used employment service in Europe – with rates of engagement at just one third of the European average, and a quarter of the rates in Germany and France
- Report summarises evidence gathered in the first six months of the Commission on the Future of Employment Support – which has been the largest consultation of its kind, hearing from over 200 organisations, individuals and employer bodies
- Report calls for major reforms to employment services to raise participation in the labour force and boost productivity at work – with next stage of the Commission due to develop options for reform