Labour market policy as flexible welfare: prototype employment zones and the new workfarism

This paper examines the evolution of the employability agenda of New Labour through the lens of one of its main policy vehicles for melding welfare reform and active labour market policies: Employment Zones. The transition from prototype to fully fledged Employment Zones is used to examine whether they represent a progression in 'joined up policy' and the ability to 'think the unthinkable' in bringing about an active benefits system. Our reading of the policy documentation suggests a reversal of some of the progressive tendencies within the prototypes, in particular signalled by the switch from voluntary to mandatory participation for clients.