Policy
We produce research and policy analysis focused on the role of businesses in supporting more people into work, and the conditions required to help businesses create even more jobs and prosperity.
Our approach
We publish foundational research reports examining how businesses help people move from welfare into work. We also produce policy papers on specific issues related to employment, training and the conditions necessary for job creation.
Foundational research
2026
Prosperity Through Growth: Boosting Living Standards in an Age of Autocracy and AI
Coming soon — full report and analysis forthcoming.
Visit prosperitythroughgrowth.com →
Ladders of Opportunity: How top UK businesses create new routes into work — the full report
Profiling the top businesses across the UK that are creating pathways for disadvantaged people into work. The second volume of our foundational research, drawing on interviews with employers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
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Two Million Jobs: How businesses play a crucial role in helping people from welfare into work — the full report
After almost a year of work, interviewing hundreds of businesses and community leaders across Great Britain — in Sheffield, Loughborough, Hartlepool and Pembrokeshire — our foundational research showing how business is the most effective route out of poverty.
Read here →Policy papers
Jobs and Education: Building the Bridge to Opportunity
Examining the vital link between employment and education — and how businesses can help build the bridge to opportunity for people across the UK.
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Jobs and Investment: Using untapped capital to boost productivity and growth
A comprehensive roadmap to generate more investment in the UK, boosting productivity and growth and creating more new jobs. Sets out the case for unlocking untapped capital to drive job creation across the country.
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Cliff Edge: Jobs in Aberdeen, the epicentre of the UK's energy transition — the full report
An in-depth study of the energy sector in Aberdeen and UK energy policy in the round, examining the ramifications for jobs and communities. The Energy Profits Levy is deterring investment in UK oil and gas, causing tax-take decline.
Read here →Other publications
Policy paper | 2025
Getting Britain Working: The case for Employer NICs relief on welfare to work
How to support 100,000 more people into employment through targeted National Insurance relief for employers who hire people from welfare, reducing the cost of employment and incentivising businesses to take on people who need a chance.
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Policy paper | 2025
Family Businesses Polling: Post-Budget Outlook and the Impact of Business Property Relief Changes
New research revealing deep pessimism among family businesses and growing concern over succession, investment, and the UK's business environment. Jobs Foundation research finds confidence lower than at any point in recent decades.
Read here →Lecture | June 2024
Ambassadors for Enterprise
A talk delivered by Douglas McWilliams, Deputy Chairman of Cebr, at a Jobs Foundation event in London on 5th June 2024. McWilliams argues that people in business must take the lead in making the case for the enterprise economy — acting as ambassadors for enterprise through their behaviour, ethics, and treatment of customers, staff and suppliers.
Lecture | November 2023
In Praise of Business
Jobs Foundation President Lord Matthew Elliott delivers a lecture at the Legatum Institute arguing that business is the biggest driver of global prosperity and social progress — and making the case for why woefully little has been written in its praise. The lecture sets out five arguments: business as a force for good; how it is viewed negatively in Britain today; how that view was formed; how anti-business sentiment has damaged our economy; and how it can be turned around.
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Pamphlet | 2023
Business: A Force for Good
“Business: A force for good”