Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management

With the growth of in-work poverty in the UK in recent years, progress on poverty reduction is increasingly dependent on employment trends. Sectors such as hospitality and social care, which are characterised by relatively high poverty rates, are among the parts of the economy which are expected to experience employment growth over the medium-term. These sectors provide significant opportunities for labour market entry. However, the challenge for helping workers transition out of poverty is not only to facilitate transitions into work, but also to improve job quality and facilitate progression pathways. Other growing sectors which are associated with comparatively higher pay - such as construction and financial & business services - have mixed records of recruitment and advancement from disadvantaged groups, with practices linked to maximising local community benefits in recruitment and training in construction being of particular interest.

Drawing on secondary analysis and new case study research, the paper illustrates some of the challenges faced in harnessing growth sectors for poverty reduction, as well as identifying promising approaches. It also considers the geography of opportunities offered by different sectors, and the implications for policy and strategy.