Responding to Autumn Budget 2026

Responding to the Autumn Budget 2026, Stephen Evans, Chief Executive at Learning and Work Institute, said:

“This was a relatively quiet Budget in terms of policy announcements, barring some extra funding for Mayors to increase apprenticeships, with bigger changes delayed until the Milburn Review and the Government’s longer-term plans. The labour market remains relatively resilient in the face of global events and increased pressure on employers, which the OBR note will reduce employment. But stability risks turning into stagnation without action to tackle underlying weaknesses that have resulted in one million young people not in education, employment or training and a flatlining employment rate. It makes sense to take time to make the right long-term choices, but the clock is ticking.”