Employment and Economic Growth JSNA

Evidence base

This section provides links and a brief summary of a robust evidence base. For example, peer-reviewd studies, systematic revies, evaluations of interventions and best practice guidelines from national sources.

Issue number

1 = highest priority

 

1

Source

Gatsby Foundation

Title incl. web link

Youth Unemployment: Lessons to Learn

Summary

This report by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation examines the impact of economic shocks on youth unemployment and highlights the importance of flexible education, apprenticeships, and support for self-employment to mitigate the effects of youth unemployment.

Source

Lord Committee Report

Title incl. web link

Causes of Youth Unemployment: Lords Committee Report

Summary

The House of Lords Youth Unemployment Committee identifies key drivers of youth unemployment, including skills gaps, access to careers advice, and the availability of apprenticeships. The report emphasises the need for coordinated efforts to support young people into employment.

Source

Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)

Title incl. web link

The changing face of the youth labour market

Summary

This report by Lizzie Crowley from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) examines the changes in the youth labour market over the past three decades. It highlights the challenges young people face in transitioning from education to employment and the importance of skills development and apprenticeships to improve employability

2

Source

House of Commons Library

Title incl. web link

Support for Small Businesses

Summary

This House of Commons Library briefing outlines the various forms of support available to small businesses in the UK, including financial assistance, business advice, and government initiatives aimed at fostering entrepreneurship and business growth.

Source

International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal

Title incl. web link

Impact of government support policies on entrepreneurial orientation and SME performance | International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal

Summary

This article by Vanitha Prasannath et al. in the International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal explores how government support policies impact the entrepreneurial orientation and performance of SMEs. It emphasizes the importance of tailored support policies to enhance SME growth and sustainability

3

Source

Mind

Title incl. web link

Supporting People with Mental Health Problems into Sustainable Employment

Summary

This report by Mind discusses the barriers to employment faced by individuals with mental health problems and the importance of personalised and tailored support to help them find and sustain employment.

Source

Royal College of Psychiatrists

Title incl. web link

Employment and Mental Health

Summary

This report by the Royal College of Psychiatrists explores the relationship between employment and mental health, emphasising the benefits of supported employment programs and the need for integrated mental health and employment services.

 

European Psychiatry (Cambridge University Press)

 

Economic analyses of supported employment programmes for people with mental health conditions: A systematic review

 

This systematic review by A-La Park et al. in European Psychiatry examines the economic case for supported employment programmes for people with mental health conditions. It highlights the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of these programmes in helping individuals with mental health issues gain and maintain employment

4

Source

Fleming, W. J. (2025). Health lifestyles at work: availability, barriers and participation in workplace wellness. Social Theory & Health, 23(7).

Title incl. web link

Health lifestyles at work: availability, barriers and participation in workplace wellness | Social Theory & Health

Summary

The workplace is increasingly recognised as a strategic site for health promotion, aligning with public policy goals on economic productivity and population wellbeing.

  • The study analysed data from 27,919 UK workers across 143 organisations, revealing that participation in wellness programmes is shaped by:
    • Social factors (e.g. class, race, gender)
    • Job characteristics (e.g. contract type, working hours)
    • Organisational context
  • It argues that workplace wellness is not just a managerial tool, but a socially structured health behaviour that reflects broader inequalities.
  • The research calls for policy and organisational strategies that account for these structural influences to ensure equitable access and impact.