The aim of this project is to deliver evidence reviews and practical resources designed to support policymakers within local government to better understand what works in supporting improved labour market outcomes for out-of-work and in-work individuals.
The Labour Market Evidence Programme (LMEP) is a programme of work commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help ensure that local policymakers and practitioners have access to reliable, timely and accessible evidence to inform the design, commissioning and delivery of employment support. The LMEP aims to synthesise and translate the existing evidence base on active labour market policies into formats that are practical, trusted and aligned with the needs of Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSAs), Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and local authorities.
The evidence reviews and associated outputs will be published here in 2026 to early 2027 and will inform the 2027 What Works Centre for Local Employment Support (WWCLES).
The review themes are:
To find out more about this work or provide feedback on the areas of work, please contact us: [email protected]
To stay up to date with LMEP publications and events please sign up to the IES monthly newsletter here or follow us on LinkedIn.
The LMEP is being delivered by the Institute for Employment Studies (IES) in partnership with Learning and Work Institute (L&W), and supported by the What Works Centre for Local Economic Growth, Youth Futures Foundation, Adam Whitworth (University of Strathclyde), Sandra McNally (University of Surrey), Elle Carter (University of Oxford) and Dr Fernanda Aguilar Perez (Royal Society for Public Health).
The project aims to support local policy makers to better understand what works in improving labour market outcomes for out-of-work and in-work individuals. Learn more about the approach we will take.
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We invite stakeholders to share research, data and lived experience to inform our work. Your contributions help strengthen analysis, test assumptions and identify gaps in understanding. Submissions are reviewed alongside existing evidence to shape robust, transparent and practical recommendations that reflect real-world labour market conditions and future needs.
User panels will help ensure the findings and recommendations generated through this programme of work are relevant and practical, and to ensure findings are disseminated in accessible and engaging ways. The Labour Market Evidence Programme will convene user panels for each evidence review conducted. If you are happy to join a user panel, we will invite you to select a theme you find most interesting/useful to offer guidance on.
Access our curated third party resources to learn more about the wider context of the project.
In line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), in this privacy notice for research participants, we explain the legal basis for data processing for the Labour Market Evidence Programme. This includes who will have access to your personal data, how your data will be used, stored, and deleted and who you can contact if you have a query or a complaint.
