Professor Stuart McIntyre has been appointed as a member of a new UK Government Labour Market Advisory Board.
The Strathclyde academic joined seven other members of the group in a meeting with the Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall MP, for the first time on Monday 9 September, as ministers prepare to launch major reforms this autumn through the Get Britain Working white paper.
The new Labour Market Advisory Board is made up of experts from across business, industrial relations and academia and is tasked with advising government on how to tackle the ‘greatest employment challenge for a generation’.
Economic inactivity
At its first meeting, members offered new approaches to shape work on economic inactivity, tackling the root causes for people remaining out of work such as poor physical and mental health, and how the group can help the government reach its ambition of an 80 per cent employment rate.
The Board will develop new ideas and initiatives for the Work and Pensions Secretary to consider bringing down levels of economic inactivity.
Professor McIntyre said: “I am delighted to take on this role at such a crucial time for the UK economy. Addressing the longstanding challenges in the UK labour market requires urgent and significant progress. I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues on the Board, contributing insights and research to help shape new policies that will address the country's economic challenges.”
Employment challenge
Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall MP, said: “Spiralling inactivity is the greatest employment challenge for a generation, with a near record 2.8 million people out of work due to long-term sickness.
Addressing these challenges will take time, but we’re going to fix the foundations of the economy and tackle economic inactivity.
“The Board’s knowledge, expertise and insight will help us to rebuild Britain as we deliver our growth mission, drive up opportunity and make every part of the country better off.”
The other members of the Board are: Paul Gregg (Chair), Former Director of the Centre for Analysis of Social Policy at the University of Bath; Stephen Machin, Professor of Economics and Director, London School of Economics; Lindsey Macmillan, Professor of Economics, Centre for Education Policy and Equalising Opportunities; Gavin Kelly, Executive Chair, Resolution Foundation; Anita Charlesworth, Director of Research and Economics, Health Foundation; Ruby McGregor Smith, House of Lord; and Nicola Smith, Head of Rights, International, Social and Economics Department, TUC.