How local are labour markets? Evidence from a spatial job search model
Uses data on very small UK geographies to investigate the effective size of local labour markets, and develops a theory of job search across space that allows the estimation of a matching process with a very large number of areas. Reveals that the cost of distance is relatively high, confirming that labour markets are quite 'local'.
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Building engagement, building futures: our strategy to maximise the participation of 16-24 year olds in education, training and work
'Building Engagement, Building Futures' has been developed jointly by the Department for Work and Pensions, the Department for Education, and the Department for Business Innovation and Skills. It sets out how reforms to schools, vocational education, skills and welfare provision will all make a significant difference to young people’s opportunities and support.
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Supporting local growth
The Coalition Government is committed to a radical shift of power to local communities which puts people, local businesses and councils in the driving seat. They want to give people and businesses the tools they need to deliver economic growth in a climate free of red tape.
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UK economic performance since 1997: growth, productivity and jobs
The UK’s high GDP per capita growth was driven by strong growth in productivity (GDP per hour), which was second only to the US, and good performance in the jobs market (which was better than in the US). The UK’s relative economic performance appears even stronger in the years prior to 2008 before the Great Recession engulfed the developed world.
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Rural Growth Network: £15 million of new funding to support rural growth.
Open to bids from local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) and local councils, the Rural Growth Fund (RGN) is aimed at "identifying mechanisms capable of stimulating faster and more widespread sustainable growth, employment and economic activity in rural areas."
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Employer ownership of skills: securing a sustainable partnership for the long term
The paper sets out the UK Commission’s high level vision for what employer ownership means and how it has the potential to transform skills in England. It outlines why skills matter, the current system, five high level principles for reform, proposals, benefits and a call to action to employers to come forward with their own bold propositions for how to step up and take responsibility for employer-based training such as Apprenticeships.
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UK Labour Market Statistics - January 2012
The employment rate for those aged from 16 to 64 was 70.3 per cent, down 0.1 on the quarter. There were 29.12 million people in employment aged 16 and over, up 18,000 on the quarter. The unemployment rate was 8.4 per cent of the economically active population, up 0.3 on the quarter. There were 2.68 million unemployed people, up 118,000 on the quarter. The unemployment rate has not been higher since 1995 and the number of unemployed people has not been higher since 1994. The inactivity rate for those aged from 16 to 64 was 23.1 per cent, down 0.2 on the quarter. There were 9.29 million economically inactive people aged from 16 to 64, down 61,000 on the quarter.
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January 2012 Regional LMI
A useful document providing comparison between regions and local areas across a host of indicators.
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Up to the job
Strategies to re-engage young people not in education, employment or training: a rapid review
This review will examine evidence regarding effective strategies to keep young people at risk of disengagement from learning on track to make positive transitions, and will identify critical success factors in re-engaging young people who are already NEET.
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The economic case for language learning and the role of employer engagement
Argues the economic case for language learning in Britain and how employers can help. The decline in language learning is holding back both young people and UK plc. The report highlights consistently high employer demand for people with foreign language skills and how our lack of skills in effect creates a £7.3 billion 'tax on trade' for the UK.
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