In Edinburgh, and the rest of Scotland, significant numbers of people are experiencing in-work poverty, and face a range of barriers to career progression. There is increasing policy attention in Scotland on ways to support progression, as part of the wider fair work agenda, but less agreement and limited evidence on what actually works.

L&W’s new report shares findings from the first phase of a programme of work funded by the Robertson Trust and delivered in partnership with Edinburgh College. This builds the evidence base on what works to best support low-income workers to progress into better jobs, and to adapt and test proven in-work progression models in Scotland. During the autumn the project will bring together low-income workers, employers, and providers to co-design a pilot in-work support programme in Edinburgh to help people progress at work.

The report highlights that development and implementation of a new in-work progression programme will come with very real challenges. However, meeting these challenges could help to drive progress towards fairer work and a reduction in poverty in Scotland.