Responding to the Government’s Autumn Budget announced on 30 October 2024, Stephen Evans, Chief Executive of Learning and Work Institute, said:
“The Budget lays bare the challenges ahead and shows the importance of focusing on getting more people into work and boosting skills to improve growth. The OBR has revised down its employment rate forecast with economic inactivity due to ill health persisting. The upcoming Get Britain Working White Paper needs to set out a credible path to getting 2.4 million more people into work to hit the Government’s ambition to reach an 80% employment rate. To improve the dismal growth forecasts, we also need to reverse the £1 billion cut in skills budgets since 2010 and employers’ 26% cut in training since 2005.”
Contact our press office3 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.
2 Tachwedd 2026
Adults’ interest in learning is undimmed – but class inequalities mean three million lost learners
The UK’s longest-running survey of adult learning marks its 30th year with the finding that just 2 in 5 adults (43%) have engaged in learning in the last three years – a figure barely improved since 1996 (40%).
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.
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
Responding to Autumn Budget 2026
Learning and Work Institute Chief Executive Stephen Evans responds to the Autumn Budget on 28 October 2026.
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 stats response, October 2026
L&W’s chief executive Stephen Evans responds to the latest labour market data from ONS.
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.
15 Medi 2026
Labour market stats response, September 2026
L&W’s chief executive Stephen Evans responds to the latest labour market data from ONS.
