International Evidence Review on In-Work Progression

This report presents findings from an international evidence review commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to investigate policies and approaches to in-work progression in high-income countries other than the UK. The objective of the study was to present available evidence on how other countries have approached the issue of in-work progression to generate learning that might be transferable to the UK. For the purpose of this study, in-work progression was defined as ‘raising in a sustainable way, an individual's labour market earnings.' However, to reflect the fact that progression can occur in a myriad of ways, this review also looked at other outcomes, including building skills, removing practical and financial constraints to progression, and improving job security. All of these intermediary outcomes may ultimately lead to higher pay. This study was guided by 6 broad research topics that were underpinned by 14 different research questions. To answer these questions, 3 main methods were used: a targeted literature review to set out the policy context (Chapter 2), a rapid evidence assessment (REA) to identify and examine relevant policies and programmes (Chapter 3), and case studies featuring a deeper assessment of interventions identified in the review (Chapter 4). To ensure that the most current evidence was included, the rapid review was restricted to a search for results since 2014. The appendixes detail the methodology and inclusion and exclusion criteria applied in the search.