University of Leicester expert to help UK Government’s bid to boost nation’s employment levels

A University of Leicester economist has been chosen to help the UK Government realise its vision to boost the nation’s jobs market.

Labour economics and public policy expert, Dr Guillaume Wilemme, has been awarded a highly competitive UKRI Policy Fellowship with the Department for Work and Pensions as it rolls out one of the government’s key reform programmes.

During his fellowship, Dr Wilemme will play an active role in supporting the implementation of the Government’s Get Britain Working White Paper. The White Paper sets out an ambitious vision designed to reduce economic inactivity and raise employment levels across the country.

Government figures show 2.8m people are not working due to long-term sickness, one-in-eight young people are not in education, employment or training, while 9m adults lack the basic skills they need to get on.

"I am delighted to have been awarded this UKRI Policy Fellowship and to be joining the Department for Work and Pensions,” said Dr Wilemme. “It is an exceptional opportunity to contribute academic insight to policy, and I look forward to supporting evidence-based decision making at a critical time for employment policy in the UK.

“The Get Britain Working White Paper outlines a wide-ranging agenda to address economic inactivity and employment challenges. I am keen to contribute to a clearer understanding of how skills, health and employment support can help address labour market issues."

Professor Dan Ladley, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Head of College and Executive Dean of the University’s School of Business, said: “We are delighted with Dr Wilemme’s Fellowship, which is richly deserved.

“Not only does the appointment affirm his high levels of expertise, it also means our Economics students are learning from somebody who has a first-hand insight of working closely with the UK Government on a major policy issue.”