Learning and Work Institute has been commissioned by the Local Government Association (LGA) to produce a series of top tips to support local government to develop a high-quality Connect to Work service to help people into work.  

Rolling out from April 2025 and spanning 43 areas across England and four areas in Wales, Connect to Work aims to support 100,000 disabled people and people with complex needs into sustainable employment each year. 

These top tips will give officers, and elected members alike, a good understanding of the benefits of Connect to Work, how to make good use of it, and how it can be aligned to other council and external work. The top tip themes are: 

  1. Identifying and engaging participants
  2. Strategic integration and joining up services
  3. Employer engagement
  4. Engagement with wider partners
  5. Skills and experience of staff. 

The top tips do not seek to replicate Government guidance, which should be read separately. They are also hosted on the LGA website.

2 Tachwedd 2026

From writing off to reaching out? Government plans for young people on health-related benefits

Ahead of the publication of the Milburn Review, L&W’s deputy director Elizabeth Gerard sets out key considerations for the Government.

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29 Hydref 2026

Time to make the Youth Guarantee real: A promise and plan for every young person

Ahead of the publication of the Milburn Review, L&W’s chief executive Stephen Evans proposes five actions to reduce the number of young people not in education, employment or training.

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28 Hydref 2026

Responding to Autumn Budget 2026

Learning and Work Institute Chief Executive Stephen Evans responds to the Autumn Budget on 28 October 2026.

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20 Hydref 2026

Labour Market Briefing: October 2026

Our analysis of the ONS labour market statistics, released on the morning of 20 October 2026.

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20 Hydref 2026

Labour market dashboard

Every month, Learning and Work Institute produces detailed and timely analysis of the latest labour market statistics from ONS. Explore our interactive charts.

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20 Hydref 2026

Labour market stats response, October 2026

L&W’s chief executive Stephen Evans responds to the latest labour market data from ONS.

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30 Medi 2026

From appetite to opportunity

This report for The St Martin’s Group draws on a survey of more than 1,000 HR decision makers to examine employers’ plans to recruit young people, the routes they expect to use, the barriers they face, and the support they need.

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15 Medi 2026

Labour Market Briefing: September 2026

Our analysis of the ONS labour market statistics, released on the morning of 15 September 2026.

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15 Medi 2026

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s Youth Guarantee Trailblazer: Implementation and process evaluation

This report presents findings from L&W’s implementation and process evaluation of year one of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority’s Youth Guarantee Trailblazer.

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