The economic downturn and early signs of recovery have thrust the issue of low productivity of the UK economy into the public debate.
While unemployment levels have remained low, real pay has been falling and UK productivity lags behind other major economies. The productivity problem sits alongside widespread skills shortages across industries and occupations, presenting a major growth bottleneck for the UK economy.
At the same time, a significant share of the UK’s labour force are stuck on low pay, with low skill levels limiting prospects for career progression and wage growth.
Making Progress proposes a skills based in-work progression policy to help individuals stuck on low pay enhance their productivity and escape the low pay trap. Boosting the skills of those stuck in low pay will also make these individuals more valuable to their employers and the the UK economy as a whole.