Universal Credit and Employers: Exploring the Demand Side of UK Active Labour Market Policy, 2021-2022

Active labour market policies (ALMPs) are government interventions traditionally focused on moving unemployed people into work. As those ultimately in control of the employment opportunities participants are seeking to access, employers are fundamental to ALMP outcomes. However, research and policy relating to ALMP has tended to ignore employers. Focusing on UK ALMP, as enacted through Universal Credit, this research helps to advance knowledge of this topic by focusing on employer perspectives of ALMP and the conditionality that underpins it for unemployed people and workers on a low income. The research explored how ALMP is understood and experienced by UK employers, how it impacts on how businesses are run, and how employment services can work more effectively with employers, leading to better outcomes for individuals and the wider economy. The UK's main vehicle for ALMP, and flagship policy of recent welfare reforms is Universal Credit (UC). UC is the new working age benefit for those who are either out of work or on a low income. Under UC, social security for unemployed people is conditional on claimants demonstrating work search and other work-related activities. This is underpinned by a 'Work First' approach, emphasising high volumes of applications and fast work re-entry. It also potentially involves the extension of conditionality to those in work, blurring the traditional distinction between social security claimants who are in and outside of the paid labour market . Aims and objectives The project had four main aims. Through qualitative semi-structured interviews with employers, policymakers and other key stakeholders, this research project: 1. explored how UK ALMP is understood and experienced by employers 2. identified how ALMP impacts UK businesses, including how they recruit, retain and progress their staff (including differences between sectors) 3. explored how the impact of ALMP on employers varies in different low pay sectors 4. explored how the public employment service can work effectively with employers to lead to better employment outcomes for claimants The final project report is available via Related Resources.

积极劳动力市场政策（Active Labour Market Policies, ALMPs）是政府推出的干预举措，传统定位为推动失业人员重返职场。作为求职者所寻求的就业机会的最终掌控方，雇主对积极劳动力市场政策的实施成效起着决定性作用。然而，过往与积极劳动力市场政策相关的研究及政策制定，往往忽视了雇主群体的视角。本研究聚焦英国依托全民信贷（Universal Credit, UC）推行的积极劳动力市场政策，从雇主立场出发，探讨该政策及其针对失业人员与低收入劳动者的资格约束机制，以期推进该领域的学术认知。

本研究旨在探究英国雇主对积极劳动力市场政策的认知与实践体验、该政策对企业运营的影响，以及就业服务机构如何能够更高效地与雇主协作，最终为求职者与宏观经济带来更优的就业成果。英国积极劳动力市场政策的核心载体，同时也是近年福利改革的旗舰政策，正是全民信贷（Universal Credit, UC）。全民信贷是面向劳动年龄群体的新型社会保障福利，覆盖失业或低收入人群。在全民信贷体系下，失业人员申领社会保障需证明其持续求职并参与各类工作相关活动，这一机制以"工作优先"为核心原则，强调高求职申请量与快速重返职场。此外，该体系还可能将资格约束延伸至在职劳动者，模糊了传统上有酬劳动力市场内外的社会保障申领者之间的界限。

研究目标
本项目共有四大核心目标。通过对雇主、政策制定者及其他关键利益相关者开展质性半结构化访谈（qualitative semi-structured interviews），本研究项目旨在：
1. 探究英国雇主对积极劳动力市场政策的认知与实践体验
2. 明确积极劳动力市场政策对英国企业的影响，包括其在招聘、员工留用与职业发展方面的变化（含不同行业间的差异）
3. 探究积极劳动力市场政策对雇主的影响在不同低薪行业中的异质性
4. 探究公共就业服务机构如何能更高效地与雇主协作，为求职者带来更优质的就业成果

本项目的最终报告可通过"相关资源"栏目获取。