Education:

MSc (Econ) in Economics, University of London, Birkbeck College

BA (Hons) in Economics, University of Durham

Career:

1998-Present - Visiting Fellow, National Institute of Economic and Social Research.

1997-2004 - Adviser to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation for the Future of Work Research Programme.

1999-2004 - Visiting Fellow, Royal Holloway University of London.

2001-Present - Visiting Fellow, Institute for Children, Families and Social Issues, Birkbeck College, University of London.

1998-Present - Independent research and consultancy.

2004-Present - Chair, Synergy Research and Consulting.

1998-2000 - Visiting Professor, Arbetslivsinstitutet, Stockholm.

1993-1998 - Director, Policy Studies Institute.

1992-1993 - Chief Economic Adviser and Head of Economics, Research and Evaluation Division, Department of Employment.

1989-1993 - Senior Economic Adviser, Department of Employment.

1978 -1989 - Economic Adviser, Department of Employment.

1974-1978 - Economic Adviser/ Senior Economic Assistant, Home Office.

1970-1974 - Research Officer/ Research Assistant, National Institute of Economic and Social Research.

Research Interests:

Research interests fall into two broad groups.

The first is the labour market and employment generally, both in Britain and in the rest of Europe. The experience of specific groups, including women, older people and those with employment disadvantages. The impact of regulation on labour market outcomes. The relationship between human capital (including social capital) and labour market outcomes.

The second group of research activities comes under the broad heading of the economics of social policy. Current work with NIESR under this heading includes the evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of Sure Start. Previous research has looked at market failure in financial services as one of the causes of financial exclusion, and the circumstances of low-income homeowners. Other work has considered the incomes of those over retirement age, family friendly policies in the UK, and the cost-effectiveness of aspects of social work practice.

Other Information:

1996-Present - Executive Committee member, Public Policy and Management Association.

1998-Present - Editorial Board member, Prospect.

2000-2004 - Council member of the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations.

1997-2000 - Member Cabinet Office Better Regulation Task Force.

1997-2001 - Governor Birkbeck College, University of London.

1994-1999 - Trustee, Employment Policy Institute.