Industrial Policy and Employment in the UK: Evidence from the Pharmaceutical Sector

Employment scholars have a longstanding interest in the potential for an active industrial policy to shift the UK economy to a high-wage, high-skill trajectory. This article addresses this topic by examining policy, performance and employment in the UK pharmaceutical sector, which has historically benefited from substantial government assistance. While weaknesses are apparent, overall the industrial policy context has supported the performance of the UK sector, underpinning a sizable number of highly skilled and paid jobs. The findings demonstrate the potential of an active industrial policy to facilitate a shift to a higher skills trajectory. Wider considerations of relevance and policy recommendations are discussed.