Government urged to tackle causes of ‘in-work poverty’

The UK’s problems with low productivity are the result of an unbalanced economy and high levels of poverty among those in low-paid employment, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

In a report published on 17 April, the closing date for responses to the government’s industrial strategy green paper, the JRF highlights five areas that should be focused on to make the economy “work for all”.

Government policy in recent years has attempted to drive productivity by focusing on high-end innovation, major infrastructure projects, high-level skills and large cities. These themes are evident in the industrial strategy green paper too, but a focus on bringing up the bottom could bring greater benefits to national prosperity, the JRF says.