University of Warwick: High quality employment key to levelling up, argues expert group

The government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda needs to address employment inequalities between regions, within regions and between people if it is to be effective says ReWAGE, the new independent think-tank based in the Institute for Employment Research at Warwick University.

The Levelling Up sub-group of ReWAGE has produced a policy briefing, which has been submitted to the government’s Levelling Up Taskforce and HM Treasury.

Putting employment on the levelling up agenda argues that regional ‘levelling up’, which will be a key objective in the UK Government’s upcoming White Paper, also needs to focus on getting people into, and progressing to, better jobs.

The paper also recommends that a set of metrics should be developed to measure progress on employment levelling up. These metrics should enable the measurement of progress in increasing employment opportunities and outcomes amongst people and places. Whilst specific actions will be shaped by local priorities, the metrics set up to measure progress should be standard and underpinned by data.

ReWAGE has been set up to advise the government on the recovery and renewal of work and employment in the UK as it tackles the impact of the Covid-19 on the economy. Its particular focus is on addressing the pandemic’s adverse effects on the labour market and work.

ReWAGE is co-chaired by Warwick and Leeds Universities and its group of experts are drawn from universities and research organisations from across the UK. It is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).