May 2008 Policy Round Up

From the age of 16 (or later if attending further or higher education) the adult UK population is expected to seek and find suitable employment. For multiple and complex reasons seeking and finding employment is very difficult, or unobtainable, for some members of society. This may be due to ill health, disability, lack of skills or training, lack of suitable transport, language difficulties and other cultural issues.

The very notion of “work” can be challenged in the way it might be defined by government or society. Traditionally work is seen as paid employment, but work can be about many other things e.g. child care; caring for elderly relatives or friends; being active in the local neighbourhood; housework; volunteering etc. Much of this “hidden” work goes on every day and is not easy to quantify, but it takes time, effort, energy and commitment.

Find out more by downloading the Worklessness Policy Round Up.