This report is a national and independent record of the Future Jobs Fund (FJF), based on the experiences of seven areas across the country.

It summarises the benefits and areas for improvement related to this approach to tackling unemployment among young people, and the FJF’s impact and value for money. It draws on the lessons learnt from the FJF as a temporary job initiative in order to provide recommendations to local and national government and to welfare to work providers.

The FJF was introduced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in 2009 as a response to significant concerns about the long-term effects of rising youth unemployment. DWP pledged 150,000 temporary paid jobs lasting six months for unemployed young people and people living in disadvantaged areas, with a maximum DWP contribution of £6,500 per job. The Coalition Government made the decision to end the FJF shortly after taking office in May 2010, citing high costs. By March 2011, when the last FJF jobs were filled, the programme had placed 105,220 people in temporary employment.

The report was produced by the Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion, one of the two founding organisations of Learning and Work Institute.