Introduction

Peter Ratcliffe, in the opening chapter of this book, argued that any attempt to achieve good relations between people from different backgrounds in the absence of a serious push on equality is destined to fail. Access to employment and an income above the poverty level are arguably the most important aspects of social cohesion. The risk of poverty is five times greater among adults in workless households than among those in working households (Palmer et al, 2008). There is evidence that being in work is a key component of mental and physical wellbeing (Freud, 2008, p 5; The Prince's Trust, 2010). It has also been argued that lack of achievement in the labour market feeds social exclusion, damaging relations between ethnic groups in Britain and putting social cohesion at risk (SEU, 2004, p 6).

This chapter raises issues about welfare-to-work policies and how they are currently evaluated. It starts by looking at the impact of the 2008/09 recession in terms of different groups in the labour market and social cohesion. It then questions the conditional welfare and the ‘work first’ policy. Success is being measured by reducing the number on out-of-work benefits and it is argued that this should not be the sole desired outcome and that, on its own, it provides a poor measure of equality or cohesion. Finally, it addresses wider outcomes and how a more holistic approach to evaluation could be developed.

Differential access to jobs before the 2008/09 recession

Since 1977, many changes have occurred in employment patterns within the United Kingdom (UK). The political parties have been driven by a belief in the free market and the need for limited regulation and employment protection in order to create jobs. A key change has been a rapid decline in manufacturing and in unskilled and skilled manual jobs. This has been partially offset by a growth in the service sector: both in professional and managerial jobs and in part-time, casualised employment in sectors such as personal services, retail and the leisure and hospitality industries.

The result has been a growing divide between rich and poor working households and an increasing number of children in poor households. In addition, there has been a decline in male employment and an increase in female employment.