Financialization, new investment funds, and weakened labour: the case of the UK

Abstract

The chapter shows that the UK has the highest levels of PE, HF, and SWF activity in Europe. This is explained primarily by the permissive nature of UK financial and securities regulation and, to a lesser extent, of labour regulation. Fund activity grew significantly up to 2007 and then declined in the case of PE and HFs; since 2010, there has been a recovery in PE and HF activity. It is rare for NIFs to consult with labour before and during the acquisition process. NIF intervention and acquisition does create some turbulence in employment, with initial job loss, though also with later job creation. Evidence on the effect on industrial relations is limited, but suggests that in most cases NIFs do not make major changes. Since the recession there have been several high profile cases of PE having a negative effect on employment systems