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Local differences, perceptions and Incapacity Benefit claimants : implications for policy delivery

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Green, Anne E. and Shuttleworth, Ian. (2010) Local differences, perceptions and Incapacity Benefit claimants : implications for policy delivery. Policy Studies, Vol.31 (No.2). pp. 223-243. ISSN 0144-2872

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01442870903429652

Abstract

Geographical unevenness in labour market and social conditions is one reason why the ‘local’ has been emphasised increasingly in the delivery of labour market policy in the UK. This article explores the extent to which there are local differences in labour market conditions using the characteristics and experiences of Incapacity Benefit (IB) claimants in Northern Ireland as an example. It then offers some comments on the potential for policy initiatives to cope with these spatial variations. Evidence from a survey of 803 IB claimants is used, supplemented by focus group material derived from discussions with Personal Advisers (PAs). The article shows that whilst there are important variations between areas, largely in the quantity and quality of jobs, and the perceptions that IB claimants hold of their local labour markets, there are also similarities in the general types of labour market barriers they face across areas. There is some evidence, however, to conclude that these barriers in urban areas are particularly pronounced and that some IB claimants in these places face severer obstacles to re-integration in the labour market than those in rural areas. The article also suggests that policy delivery to cope with these geographical differences faces two problems. First, capacity to respond to local differences is limited by strong systemic impulses towards centralisation. Secondly, and paradoxically, local differences erode capacity to respond to severer urban problems because social/institutional capacity within providers and policy-deliverers in these places is limited by high staff turnover and a crowded institutional landscape.

Item Type:

Journal Article

Subjects:

H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor
H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare

Divisions:

Faculty of Social Sciences > Institute for Employment Research

Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):

Welfare recipients -- Northern Ireland -- Case studies, Welfare recipients -- Employment -- Northern Ireland -- Case studies, Disability insurance -- Government policy -- Great Britain, Labor market -- Regional disparities, Employment re-entry -- Northern Ireland -- Case studies

Journal or Publication Title:

Policy Studies

Publisher:

Routledge

ISSN:

0144-2872

Official Date:

March 2010

Dates:

Date	Event
March 2010	Published

Volume:

Vol.31

Number:

No.2

Page Range:

pp. 223-243

Identification Number:

10.1080/01442870903429652

Status:

Peer Reviewed

Publication Status:

Published

Access rights to Published version:

Restricted or Subscription Access

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