Identifying policy innovations increasing labour market resilience and inclusion of vulnerable groups: Regional report for Scotland

Abstract

This report on Scotland is part of the FP7-project INSPIRES. The main aim of the project is to identify and analyze innovative social and employment policies which progress inclusive and resilient labour markets in Europe. This report informs Work Package 3 which consists of the collection of data on innovative social policies across Europe. The data from Scotland is also available in the searchable database of innovations for the project. The following report provides an analysis of the context in which these innovations have been implemented as well as an assessment of relevant trends in innovation and their outcomes, based upon the data that has been collated to date. A separate synthetic report will compare the insights from Scotland with results from similar studies that have been carried out by the other partners in the INSPIRES project. The report will critically assess the impact of economic crises and austerity measures on the inclusion of vulnerable groups in the Scottish labour market. This analysis will focus on groups identified as priority groups within the INSPIRES project; young people (between 16 and 25); older workers; migrant workers and disabled workers. The report critically examines the impact of social investment approaches within a broadly social democratic approach in Scotland. In particular the report examines the degree to which multi-sectoral measures have been effective within the context of constraints created by UK wide austerity measures and welfare reforms. The impact of distinct forms of ‘new welfare’ measures within the Scottish and UK wide context will also be examined. The report identifies and examines selected measures specifically designed to enable vulnerable groups to enter, strengthen and sustain their position within the labour market.