Good Work Monitor Spotlight - Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

This new Spotlight report - produced by a partnership of Cornish academics and business groups and released today by the Institute for the Future of Work (IFOW) – focuses work from our Good Work Monitor into the local context of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. It reveals that while the region has made significant strides in implementing good work principles, deeper structural economic challenges must be addressed to ensure sustained and equitable growth and lasting job quality improvements.

It is released to accompany the Disruption Index Spotlight Report that was commissioned as part of our Pissarides Review, and released in December.

‘Good Work’ is more than employment. It is work that promotes dignity, autonomy and equality; work that has fair pay and conditions; work where people are properly supported to develop their talents and have a sense of community. Research shows that improving access to good work is a key driver of social, health and economic progress.

Our Good Work Monitor examines six dimensions of good work across all 203 local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales. Drilling down into the local data for the regions, the challenges and opportunities of improving access to good work in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are able to be surfaced.

Using case studies and local expertise, it outlines Cornwall's labour market dynamics and highlights significant progress that has been made in access to good work, but how seasonal fluctuations and market conditions remain obstacles to faster change.

Key findings include:

• Cornwall's progress in good work implementation has been notable but remains vulnerable to underlying economic structures
• Seasonal employment patterns continue to create systemic barriers to sustainable, high-quality work
• Low-margin business models across traditional sectors limit employers' ability to enhance work conditions
• Housing affordability and infrastructure constraints present significant obstacles to workforce development
• Sustained investment in infrastructure, skills and housing is needed.

With strategic interventions, the region could establish itself as a national leader in good work practices for peripheralised economies across the UK.

Get in touch if you would be interested in partnering with IFOW to produce a Spotlight Report for your region.