By John O'Leary
The recession may be easing, but the impact on employment will be felt for some time – especially by the young. This month’s edition of Policy Review magazine looks at the lessons of previous recessions and asks what can be done to prevent structural worklessness.
Iain Duncan Smith and James Purnell, two of the most original thinkers on social policy among senior politicians, draw contrasting conclusions. Both have addressed the benefits trap, and Duncan Smith sees benefits reform as an essential starting-point for a future Conservative government, if work is to become a sustainable route out of poverty. He makes the case for a simplified system of work credits, insisting that his proposals are not about cutting benefits.
Purnell wants his party to be bolder in stimulating the employment market, extending the jobs guarantee that is currently limited to the under-25s to all ages. As Work and Pensions Secretary, he laid the ground for some of the current interventions and, while he would have liked the Pre-Budget Statement to go further, he sees more opportunities ahead in Labour’s election manifesto.
Continuing the employment theme, Rosie Winterton has been defending the Government’s record at a conference on worklessness. She believes that central and local government together can avoid the mistakes of previous recessions.
As usual, the magazine also makes space for discussion of other topical areas of public policy. Mike Baker examines the obstacles facing the Tories’ plans for parents and independent organisations to set up their own schools, while David Lee looks at the prospects for educational reform in Scotland after a change of minister.
David Walker analyses the different ways in which local authorities are preparing for a new era of financial stringency and concludes that the big decisions are all about jobs. Nigel Hawkes makes sense of the conflicting verdicts on the quality of NHS hospitals and Callum Stewart fears for the public sector when the Government’s carbon reduction commitments are introduced.
In the New Year, Policy Review will focus on the debates to come in the run-up to a general election. From education to health, local government and home affairs, specialist writers will map out the battleground in monthly reports.
10 December 2009
John O'Leary. Editor, Policy Review Magazine
Cover Story
Steve Smith fears that universities and the economy will be the losers if the coalition cannot agree on student fees
By John O'Leary
Feature Articles
Stick together to resist the axe
Even in an era of cuts, market forces must not be allowed to dictate students' choice of university
By Aaron Porter
Universities will have to re-examine every aspect of their operations - and the assumptions that underlie them
By Mike Boxall
Other articles
Social Policy
Public engagement with policymakers is a good thing. But don’t let the tools of engagement drive the process
By Pippa Hyam
Education and Skills
Research into the effectiveness of early intervention programmes poses questions for the new Government
By Oli de Botton
Central Government
Government moves to cut jargon are well-meaning but must go further if they are to make a real impact
By Neil Taylor
The Economy
The Calman Commission’s fiscal recommendations will define its long-term success - or otherwise
By David Lee