World Jewish Relief employment scheme delivers £31.5m boost to UK economy

A government-backed employment programme run by World Jewish Relief has delivered an estimated £31.5 million in economic and social benefits to the UK while helping thousands of displaced Ukrainians rebuild their lives through work, according to a new independent evaluation.

The assessment, commissioned by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), examined the first phase of the charity’s Specialist Training and Employment Programme (STEP) Ukraine, which ran from August 2023 to August 2024 and supported people arriving in Britain after fleeing the war.

More than 13,000 Ukrainians have taken part in the programme, which combines personalised employment support with intensive online English language tuition delivered in partnership with the British Council.

The evaluation found participants were eight percent more likely to be in employment than comparable Ukrainians who did not take part within seven months of completing the programme. Twenty months later, they remained seven percent more likely to be in work, while their earnings were 11 percent higher than before joining the scheme. Participants also improved their English language proficiency by almost 30 percent during the programme.

A 2025 follow-up survey found 65 percent of the programme’s first participants were still in employment one year after completing STEP Ukraine, highlighting its lasting impact.

Alongside improving employment outcomes, the report concluded the scheme generated £17.5 million in direct benefits to the public purse through higher tax revenues and lower benefit payments, contributing to an overall £31.5 million in financial and social value.

Janice Lopatkin MBE, UK Programme Director at World Jewish Relief, said: “This evaluation shows that employment programmes for displaced persons and refugees, when done right, can generate positive outcomes not only for refugees, but for all of society. Through providing personalised and targeted support, and combining employment support and English language tuition, STEP has helped refugees and displaced people to establish independence, secure employment and integrate successfully into their new lives.

“Leveraging our proud history of supporting refugees in the UK since 1933, we have built on the success of STEP Ukraine to continue to support refugees from a mix of backgrounds, ensuring that more people can access the life-changing support they need to rebuild their lives.”

One participant, Anastasiia Vasylashko, who now works at the British Museum, said the programme enabled her to continue the career she had built in Ukraine.

She said: “STEP Ukraine gave me far more than practical support. It gave me the confidence and guidance to continue my career in the UK without leaving behind the one I had built in Ukraine.

“Thanks to the programme, I have now been working in my profession in the UK for two years while continuing my academic and professional development. Although I hope to return to Ukraine one day, I am grateful for the opportunity to continue contributing to my field. I hope STEP Ukraine can continue to help other displaced individuals preserve not only their careers, but also their confidence, sense of purpose, and hope for the future.”

World Jewish Relief first launched STEP in response to the Syrian refugee crisis and has since expanded it to support refugees and displaced people from countries including Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine.

Homelessness Minister Alison McGovern said: “For people forced to flee their homes by war, learning English and finding work are vital to rebuilding their lives. This research shows that STEP Ukraine has helped participants gain the language skills, confidence and employment opportunities they need to become part of their local communities.

“The programme’s success shows the value of investing in practical support that helps people realise their potential, providing important evidence to inform future refugee integration programmes across the UK.”

Catherine Whitaker, Director of Work and Online, English & Exams at the British Council, said: “Partnering with World Jewish Relief to deliver STEP has been insightful and rewarding in equal measure. This new report highlights the direct impact that English skills have on unlocking opportunities for participants, and the evidence is clear: STEP brings tangible value, increasing access to employment and enhancing social mobility for displaced communities.

“We look forward to building on this experience to continue to equip displaced people with the language skills they need to thrive in UK society.”

World Jewish Relief is now running a follow-up STEP programme with the British Council, backed by MHCLG, for displaced Ukrainians and Hong Kong BN(O) visa holders.