A new book examined contemporary changes in work, and future prospects. It said that predictions that permanent jobs would disappear were wrong, and that creating better jobs for people currently on low wages would be a priority for the 21st century.
Source: Michael Moynagh and Richard Worsley, Working in the Twenty-First Century, Tomorrow Project (01328 730297) Links: Summary
Date: 2005-Jul
The government responded to a report by a committee of MPs on employment regulation.
Source: UK Employment Regulation: Government Response to the Committee's Seventh Report of Session 2004-05, Fourth Special Report (Session 2005-06), HC 365, House of Commons Trade and Industry Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Response | MPs report
Date: 2005-Jul
The Department of Trade and Industry published its annual report for 2004-05.
Source: Departmental Report 2005, Cm 6536, Department of Trade and Industry, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report (pdf) | Report (pdf links)
Date: 2005-Jun
A think-tank report examined why rates of economic inactivity were increasing so quickly, and suggested some solutions - including greater benefit conditionality for lone parents with children of school age; a revamped 52-week linking rule for incapacity benefit claimants; more support from the Social Fund for people trying to bridge the gap between out-of-work benefits and paid employment; robust age discrimination legislation; more voluntary and private sector participation in welfare-to-work programmes; and better targeted in-work support.
Source: Nicholas Hillman, Is Britain Working? A six-point action plan to increase employment rates, Bow Group (020 7431 6400)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2005-May
The Welsh Assembly Government responded positively to a report by a committee of the Assembly on economic inactivity in Wales.
Source: Welsh Assembly Government's Response to the Economic Development and Transport Committee's Report, 'Economic Inactivity in Wales': Cabinet statement, Welsh Assembly Government (029 2082 5111)
Links: Response (Word file) | Report (pdf)
Date: 2005-May
A think-tank paper examined whether the conditions existed for the achievement of full employment in every region within five years.
Source: A Scheme for Full Employment, Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion (020 7582 7221)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary
Date: 2005-Apr
A report said out a policy agenda for work. It said that questions about the quality of work for the majority did not feature on the political agenda.
Source: David Coats (ed.), The Agenda for Work, Work Foundation (0870 165 6700)
Links: Report (pdf) | Work Foundation press release
Date: 2005-Apr
A briefing note examined the policy commitments on employment policy made in the main parties' general election manifestos.
Source: Mike Brewer and Andrew Shephard, Employment and the Labour Market, Election Briefing Note 5, Institute for Fiscal Studies (web publication only)
Links: Briefing Note (pdf)
Date: 2005-Apr
The Labour Party published an election manifesto on employment. It defended its record in government on increasing employment and protecting the rights of workers.
Source: People at Work: Forward not Back, Labour Party (08705 900200)
Links: Manifesto (pdf)
Date: 2005-Mar
A think-tank report examined why rates of economic inactivity were increasing so fast, and suggested some solutions - including greater benefit conditionality for lone parents with children of school age; more support from the Social Fund for people trying to bridge the gap between out-of-work benefits and paid employment; and a revamped 52-week linking rule for incapacity benefit claimants.
Source: Nicholas Hillman, Is Britain Working?: A six-point action plan to increase employment rates, Bow Group (020 7431 6400)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2005-Mar
The Department of Trade and Industry published a business plan for the period 2005-2008.
Source: Business Plan 2005-08, Department of Trade and Industry (0870 150 2500)
Links: Plan (pdf)
Date: 2005-Feb
The Welsh Assembly Government published a new programme of action for improving skills, designed to achieve a high-skill, high-employment economy in which all individuals fulfilled their potential.
Source: Skills and Employment Action Plan for Wales 2005, Welsh Assembly Government (029 2082 5111)
Links: Report (pdf) | WAG press release
Date: 2005-Jan