The government introduced the apprenticeship levy in 2017 as part of reforms to improve apprenticeship quality and employer engagement. The levy is paid by employers with a pay bill of over £3 million per year. It is paid into a digital account which employers can access as funding to pay for apprenticeships.
Learning and Work Institute was commissioned by the Department for Education to conduct research to explore:
- Levy-paying employers spending decisions;
- How employers and providers account for the prior learning of apprentices.
This qualitative study involved interviews with employers, training providers and apprentices.
The evidence will help to inform potential policy responses, to ensure high quality training for apprentices and value for money in the system
3 Tachwedd 2026
The road to net zero: How far have we come?
Commissioned by NOCN Group, this report finds that the number of people being trained in green skills and jobs is rising. However, current training uptake, qualification pathways and workforce readiness still fall short of what’s required to reach net zero.
3 Tachwedd 2026
UK risks missing Net Zero target owing to shortages of skills and workers
New L&W research, commissioned by NOCN Group, reveals key sectors for decarbonisation lack the workers and skills for the UK to reach Net Zero by 2050.
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.
28 Hydref 2026
Tax bills and investment in skills: How can tax relief on training better support UK engineering and manufacturing?
A new Skills Tax Credit could unlock £2.2 billion of additional investment in skills according, to new research commissioned by Enginuity and produced by Learning and Work Institute.
28 Hydref 2026
A Skills Tax Credit for businesses could unlock £2.2 billion skills boost, including in sectors key to growth
Research from Learning and Work Institute (L&W) published today alongside the autumn budget finds that a Skills Tax Credit could produce a £2.2 billion boost to skills across the economy by incentivising more employer investment in training.
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.
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.
22 Medi 2026
Building an AI-ready workforce: Creating a skills system that prepares UK knowledge workers for the AI transition
AI has transformative potential for the UK economy and could present a net uplift to productivity of up to £80 billion by 2035. Yet the UK workforce does not – yet – have the skills to successfully adopt and scale AI technologies in a truly transformative way.
22 Medi 2026
AI skills investment could add £80 billion to the UK economy
The UK can secure an £80 billion boost to its economy by 2035 if the Government and businesses act together to strengthen the technical skills system, according to a major report published today by L&W and The Rigby Foundation.
