The government published its latest national action plan on employment for the European Union, showing how the United Kingdom is pursuing the goals set by the Lisbon and Stockholm European Councils. It said that the UK continues to perform well against the key economic and labour market indicators; and that the UK has exceeded the Councils' employment targets, with almost three quarters of the working age population in work.
Source: UK Employment Action Plan 2002, Department for Work and Pensions (020 7712 2171)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Nov
A report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said that regulatory reforms have played an important part in the United Kingdom's improved economic performance, including a flexible labour market, low unemployment, a world-class financial services sector, and inward and outward investment flows which are among the highest in the world.
Source: Regulatory Reform in the United Kingdom: Challenges at the Cutting Edge, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (+33 1 4524 8200)
Links: Cabinet Office press release
Date: 2002-Oct
The government published its response to a report by a committee of MPs on its employment strategy. It said that its 'active labour market' policies would continue in the event of an economic downturn.
Source: Report on the Government s Employment Strategy: Reply by the Government to the Third Report of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, Session 2001-02 [HC 815], Cm 5599, Department for Work and Pensions, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Response (pdf) | Committee report
Date: 2002-Oct
The government published a report setting out the challenges facing European Union member states in meeting the employment targets set at the Lisbon and Stockholm summits, together with the benefits of reaching them and the longer term goal of full employment.
Source: Towards Full Employment in the European Union, HM Treasury (020 7270 4558), Department of Trade and Industry, and Department for Work and Pensions
Links: Report | Treasury press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/1, Digest 121, paragraph 7.1
Date: 2002-Jul
A committee of MPs said that the emphasis of the New Deal should shift from the younger jobseeker's allowance claimants to older recipients, those facing acute barriers to work, those on other benefits, and those who are economically inactive.
Source: The Government's Employment Strategy, Third Report (Session 2001-02), HC 815, House of Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report
Date: 2002-Jul
A government paper set out how its employment policy can promote full employment, greater diversity in the workforce, and higher productivity through training and skill development.
Source: Full and Fulfilling Employment - A Paper on the UK Labour Market, Department of Trade and Industry (020 7215 5177)
Links: Report (pdf) | DTI press release
Date: 2002-Jul