Assess three government policy measures to increase labour mobility

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Assess three government policy measures to increase labour mobility (12)

Labour mobility refers to the freedom of workers to practice their occupation wherever opportunities exist. This may mean changing occupation (occupational mobility) or moving to work in another area (geographical mobility). A lack of mobility is identified as a cause of structural unemployment. This is where mismatches occur and unemployed workers are unable or unwilling to fill existing vacancies due to the skills shortages- occupational immobility or shortages in particular areas-geographical mobility

Governments use various measures to improve mobility .In the UK these include the New Deal, job centres and affordable housing schemes in certain areas of the country.

        The New Deal is a key part of the government’s strategy to get people back to work. It gives people on benefits the help and support they need to look for work including training and job preparation. It also gives the unemployed the opportunity to develop the skills and experience that employers want so they can find lasting, worthwhile jobs.  At the same time, New Deal aims to improve the overall skills base of the British workforce and provide help to employers whose businesses are suffering from staff shortages. Participants can receive intensive advice, counseling and guidance to help them find employment or can choose from four options:

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1) Subsidised employment,                                                                          2) full time education and training,                                                                      3) voluntary work                                                                                  4) Working for the government’s environmental task force.

Failure to accept one of these options or paid employment can result in the withdrawal of part of the Job Seekers Allowance.                                                                        The New deal has to some extent been successful because it has helped participants find durable employment and as a result the numbers of unemployed have decreased. However it can be argued that the quality of the placements - particularly on ...

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