This research programme looks at issues surrounding inclusion and worklessness in the West Midlands. It includes research into unemployment, deprivation, barriers to work, poverty, health and benefit claimants, as well as looking at the demographic groups and communities that are most excluded.
For more information on the background to this research programme, see the economic inclusion research team's page.
All of our research reports are freely available to download.
Overview of the regional issues
Economic inclusion baseline report
Published 27th March 2009
A comprehensive overview of economic inclusion and worklessness in the West Midlands.
More about this project »
Download full report (pdf, 2.16mb)
Download executive summary (pdf, 1.09mb)
Economic inclusion indicators
Published 11th March 2009
A series of indicators measuring the region's performance against a range of measures relating to economic inclusion. The indicators have been developed through the economic inclusion data group.
Download economic inclusion indicators poster (pdf, 265kb)
Spotlight reports
A number of key issues were identified in the Baseline Report that have subsequently been examined in more detail in a series of spotlight reports. These examine the regional position alongside the policy context for each issue.
Spotlight on black and minority ethnic groups
Published 17th February 2010
There is a large gap between the employment rates of the white population and the black and minority ethnic population and this gap is bigger in the West Midlands than nationally.
This briefing paper explores the nature of this gap and other issues around the labour market position of black and minority ethnic groups.
Download briefing paper on employment and black and minority ethnic groups in the West Midlands (pdf, 761kb)
Spotlight on youth unemployment
Published 10th July 2009
Large numbers of young people are out of work in the West Midlands and the numbers are rising. We produced a briefing paper on the key issues relating to youth unemployment, including the long term consequences and barriers to work facing young people.
Download briefing paper on youth unemployment (pdf, 237kb)
Spotlight on mental health and employment in the West Midlands
Published 14th September 2009
Mental health is a significant issue in the West Midlands and is a major contributor to the region's high levels of worklessness. This briefing paper provides information and statistics on the links between mental health problems and employment issues within the West Midlands, as well as reviewing recent research and policy options aimed at overcoming employment barriers.
Download briefing paper on mental health and employment in the West Midlands (pdf, 639kb)
Spotlight on older people and economic inclusion
Published 17th September 2009
This briefing paper examines the issues around economic inclusion and older people in the West Midlands. It includes sections on demographic change in the region, employment of older people and how this has changed in the recession, and poverty amongst older people.
Download briefing paper on economic inclusion and older people (pdf, 653kb)
The recession
In addition to long-term problems of worklessness, the West Midlands is currently facing rapid increases in unemployment. We're monitoring the impact of the recession on the region.
Latest employment and unemployment data
We analyse the latest employment and unemployment data for the West Midlands every month. We also produce an interactive map showing how the picture of unemployment is changing within the region.
More about this project »
Impact of the recession on the population of the West Midlands (3rd quarterly report)
Published December 2009
This is the third monitoring report (pdf, 1.19mb) and provides detailed analysis of the latest available data on employment, unemployment and claimants of Jobseeeker's Allowance. These are analysed according to age, ethnicity, gender, disability and skills, to show where the impact of the recession is greatest.
Impact of the recession on the population of the West Midlands (November 2009) (pdf, 1.19mb)
Impact of the recession on the population of the West Midlands (2nd quarterly report)
Published 6th August 2009
This is the second report (pdf, 857kb)in a series of quarterly updates analysing the latest available data on changing employment and unemployment in the West Midlands. We've particularly focused on the areas and demographic groups most affected.
Impact of the recession on the population of the West Midlands (July 2009) (pdf, 857kb)
Impact of the recession on the population of the West Midlands (1st quarterly report)
Published 17th April 2009
Analysis of the latest available data on changing employment and unemployment in the region, with particular focus on changes at subregional level, and the impact on key demographic groups. This report is the first of a series of quarterly updates.
Impact of the recession on the population of the West Midlands report April 2009 (pdf, 1.01mb)
More about this project »
Research into causes and experiences of worklessness
Employers' experiences of employing workless people
Published 5th June 2009
This aim of this literature review (PDF, 444kb)was to look at how employers are engaging with people who have been workless and learn from areas of good practice. The review includes a number of case studies of employment programmes where employers are engaging with workless people and summarises the key features of these programmes.
More about this project »
Download literature review (pdf, 444kb)
Causes and dynamics of worklessness
Published 10th February 2009
A study of available literature on the causes and dynamics of worklessessness. This report examines existing analysis of causes and dynamics, and seeks to identify any gaps in knowledge.
More about this project »
Download literature review (pdf, 1.1mb)