This book represents an advance in our knowledge of the labour market. For the first time it combines the analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data to produce an explanation of the main changes which have transformed the labour market during the recession. For the first time it demonstrates the segmented character of the youth labour market and the significance of the local labour markets. The result is a substantial contribution to labour market segmentation theory and to the analysis of social policy in this field.

This is a combination of qualitative and quantitative data, collected at both a national and a local level, examining the impact of the recession on the structure of youth labour markets, and contributing to the development of labour market segmentation theory. This book attempts to explain the main changes which have transformed the labour market during the recession. It demonstrates the segmented character of the youth labour market and the significance of the local labour markets. It provides an analysis of social policy in this field.