Local interventions matter in tackling worklessness

Addressing local concentrations of worklessness is a policy priority at EU, national., regional and local levels. The changing nature of worklessness, the differing rationales for supply-side and demand side interventions and the balance between people and place based measures all contribute to the challenge.

A recent paper by Green and Hasluck provides answers to two questions from evidence since 1997;

What is the contribution of local action to reducing worklessness?

What initiatives, approaches and packages seem to have made a significant difference?

Four distinct, related but sometimes competing rationales for intervention are identified;

• Increase overall level of employment in the economy

• Reduce skills and spatial mismatches

• Mitigate the deterioration of skills and motivation that occur in long periods of unemployment

• Contribution to tackling poverty and exclusion.

No single model of successful intervention is identified but significant features include the importance of active outreach, holistic approaches, individualisation, the quality and continuity of Personal Advisers, continuing support, flexibility, partnership working and the role of employers’ recruitment practices.

The governments review of local authorities contribution to tackling worklessness and the use of the Working Neighbourhoods Fund seems to build on these findings by suggesting worklessness assessments, work and skills plans, a greater role of sub-regions in commissioning DWP contracts, and links with Solutions for Business and Comprehensive Area Assessment.

Some specific needs and responses will be described by Prof Steve Fothergill at the IED annual conference in October.

Action to Reduce Worklessness; What works A Green & C Hasluck, IER Warwick, Local Economy V24(1), Feb 2009, pp 28-37 Stepping Up to the Challenge, DCLG 2009