Idleness

Katy Jones is a Research Fellow in the Centre for Decent Work and Productivity at Manchester Metropolitan University. She has previously held research positions at The Work Foundation (part of Lancaster University) and the University of Salford. She has published widely on topics including youth unemployment, homelessness, welfare conditionality and skills.Ashwin Kumar is Professor of Social Policy at Manchester Metropolitan University. He has previously worked as Chief Economist at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Senior Economic Advisor at the Department for Work and Pensions and as an economic advisor to Gordon Brown.

• Introduction1. A changing labour market: from Beveridge to Brexit2. Productivity3. Good work4. Supporting people into work: a brief history5. Employment policies today6. Employment gaps7. Supporting low-paid workers8. Skills and progression9. Social infrastructure10. State regulationConclusion: what needs to change?

Idleness nails the myth that any job – no matter how insecure or poorly paid – is better than no job. It sets out a compelling case that empowering workers and improving the quality of work can help drive productivity and sustainable growth.