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 office3 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.
2 Tachwedd 2026
Thirty years of learning: change without progress? Adult Participation in Learning Survey 2026
For 30 years, the Adult Participation in Learning Survey has provided a unique insight into adult learning across the UK. It adopts a deliberately broad definition of learning. Discover our findings from 2026.
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
Adult Participation in Learning Survey
Our survey series, which began in 1996, provides a unique overview of how many adults take part in learning, their reasons for doing so or not doing so, and how this varies by group and area.
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
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.
