Responding to the latest skills survey data from the Department for Education, Stephen Evans, Chief Executive of Learning and Work Institute (L&W), said:
“New data show employers are investing 19% less in training than in 2011, with spend per employee falling 29% to £1700 over the same period. Every sector has seen falls, with the largest drops in training spend per employee in hospitality, health and social work, and public administration. This comes on top of a £1 billion cut to Government adult skills funding in England since 2010. The UK is systemically underinvesting in learning and skills, holding back productivity and opportunity. That needs to change.”
Contact our press office7 Medi 2026
UK must make training the ‘go-to’ response to skills needs, or risk holding back growth, new report warns
The Government’s plans to get the economy growing risk falling short unless it takes action to reverse sharp falls in the training employees get at work, new analysis warns.
7 Medi 2026
Understanding employer investment in skills
This is the third and final report of our project funded by the Nuffield Foundation looking at employer investment in skills, and how employees are responding to the need to upskill and retrain in a transitioning economy.
18 Awst 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.
29 Mehefin 2026
What enables the effective design, delivery and evaluation of local work and health programmes?
This report presents findings from an evidence review on what enables the effective design, delivery and evaluation of local health and work programmes.
29 Mehefin 2026
Scoping report: Labour Market Evidence Programme
This scoping report as part of the Labour Market Evidence programme provides a summary of the work undertaken by IES and L&W between October 2025 and March 2026 including user consultation. It summarises the evidence needs of local policy makers and sets out how these needs can be addressed.
23 Mehefin 2026
VocTech Challenge: Skills for an Economy in Transition
The VocTech Challenge aims to accelerate the adoption and deployment of technology to help every adult in the UK get the skills they need to participate and benefit from our transitioning.
9 Mehefin 2026
Final report: Evaluation of the JobsPlus Pilot
This evaluation of JobsPlus builds on the interim findings published in September 2025 to provide evidence on whether the model can be adapted to the UK context and effectively implemented to improve employment outcomes.
29 Mai 2026
I found my voice through lifelong learning – others deserve the same chance
Ed Balls, Former Cabinet Minister and Shadow Chancellor, sets out why lifelong learning is vital for the country.
1 Mai 2026
Driving Change in Higher Education
Learning and Work Institute is working in partnership with The Carers Federation with funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to improve the support that young adult carers receive in higher education.
