Employment is at a record high, and economic inactivity is close to an historic low. But the UK’s employment rate is still some way behind other advanced economies such as Germany and Sweden. And the quality of work available remains a huge issue for both those in and out of work. Is the government’s target … Continued

The UK has experienced a welcome pay rebound this year, helped along by falling unemployment and historically low inflation. But can the pay recovery be sustained into next year? Will rising inflation erode real wage growth, or will stronger productivity gains push nominal pay rises higher still? Which of these will ultimately determine the strength … Continued

The Chancellor’s announcement of a National Living Wage, a policy based in part on the recommendations of the Resolution Foundation review into the future of the Minimum Wage, was arguably the most eye-catching announcement of the Summer Budget. This higher wage floor will deliver a welcome boost to low-paid workers, but implementing it will be … Continued

As Labour seeks to rebuild following its defeat at the last General Election, how can it reclaim its mantle as the party for working people? At a Resolution Foundation event Owen Smith MP will outline his vision for Labour’s approach to pay and work, and how it fits with Labour’s wider economic strategy. Head of … Continued

The extent of low pay across Britain has barely moved in the last 20 years, but is likely to change rapidly over the next five as a result of the new ‘National Living Wage’. But without productivity growth, some employers in low-paying sectors could struggle with a fast-rising wage floor. What are the key productivity … Continued

The Chancellor’s new ‘National Living Wage’ announced in the Budget will mean a welcome pay rise for low paid workers. But implementing it will be a big challenge for many employers and on its own secure it won’t a decent standard of living for millions of working families. What does this higher wage floor mean … Continued

The pursuit of full employment is back in fashion, with all the main parties committed to pursuing it. But what would full employment look like in Britain today, and what are the trade-offs in reaching this goal? Which hard-to reach groups need to be brought into the labour market, and what role can public policy play in … Continued

After the longest fall in modern history real wages are finally turning the corner. But the outlook for pay remains highly uncertain. Productivity remains on the floor. Automation and globalisation generate pessimism about our pay prospects. Others feel that the wage-gloom is overdone. As pay starts to rise what can be done to secure widely … Continued

In common with other advanced economies, the UK has been characterised as having an ‘hourglass’ labour market in recent decades, with employment growth proving strongest in low and high paying sectors and weakest in the middle. But what are the factors behind this polarisation – globalisation, education, the rise of the robots? And has the … Continued

From San Francisco to Seattle, fierce political battles have been fought – and won – across the US recently in favour of minimum wages higher than the federal rate. But what are the economic arguments behind higher City-wide minimum wage rates? Have they proved successful and what are the drawbacks? And what, if anything, can … Continued

There is a growing realisation that higher quality care in an ageing society requires a better deal for the social care workforce. Low pay, at times below the National Minimum Wage, and the poor working conditions associated with it often act as barriers to delivering the quality of care that people deserve, and place significant pressure on care workers. While … Continued