Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Job advisers in GP surgeries will help long-term sick back to work

Learning and Work Institute @learnworkuk.bsky.social · 19h

“We need to move rapidly into scaled up delivery if we’re to make a real difference to the number of people finding work.”

Great to see @stephenevans.bsky.social quoted in @thetimes.com on the Government's expansion of Connect to Work. 📰

✍️ @chris-smyth.bsky.social

Ministers are promising every area of England will have job advice experts in medical centres as part of their expansion of back-to-work support

2

Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 1d

This was a great report by 5 News and fabulous to hear from adult learners about how low literacy was affecting their lives & how changing that was changing their lives. Adult learning is a good investment for people, the economy & society. #AmbitionSkills

Learning and Work Institute @learnworkuk.bsky.social · 1d

Watch 5 News coverage of our new #AmbitionSkills report featuring @stephenevans.bsky.social! 📺

The report envisions a lifelong learning century where more people learn throughout life, and shows restoring adult skills to 2010 levels could boost the economy by £22bn.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Szku...

Revealed: V Levels incoming as axe looms for BTECs

Learning and Work Institute @learnworkuk.bsky.social · 1d

Watch 5 News coverage of our new #AmbitionSkills report featuring @stephenevans.bsky.social! 📺

The report envisions a lifelong learning century where more people learn throughout life, and shows restoring adult skills to 2010 levels could boost the economy by £22bn.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Szku...

1 1 3

Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 2d

New @learnworkuk.bsky.social report out today. Thanks @feweek.bsky.social for great article on it. Full thread from me tomorrow, delayed by today’s L&W away day (there was truffle making).

1 4

Shane Chowen @ukshane.bsky.social · 7d

We think the V stands for Vocational - but we'll see what the nation's teenagers think...

feweek.co.uk/revealed-v-l...

Ministers are poised to announce new qualifications as 'third route' between A-levels and T Levels as colleges prepare to axe applied generals

Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 10d

That’s helpful clarification. Do you know if we’re talking 2/3 of 18-30s or a different age range? I’ll try and crunch some numbers and see a bit more of what it’d mean.

Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 10d

Yes, but I assume they’re talking about 18-30s (the focus on the 50% target) or possibly a narrower range. Agree we’re in the top group for tertiary on most measures though, although focused on one type of provision for one age group (which they’ll likely want to flex).

Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 10d

It’ll be interesting to see what they do mean. If it’s 2/3 of 18 year olds going to HE or an apprenticeship then that’s definitely different to 2/3 18-30s.

2

Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 10d

3. In short, not clear this is a step change in numbers. But a clear signal & something to measure action against & allows possible resource & numbers shift to vocational routes. And who’d have thought a PM would say FE is a defining focus of the Government. A lot done, a lot to do.

Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 10d

2. Targets can focus systems. So clear signal here is about apprenticeships for young people. Possible shift in numbers from HE to apps? How will we define ‘high quality’ and young people? I’m assuming L3+ & 16-30, which would mean some rises from now. But let’s see.

A rising minimum wage has helped the worse off — but is now edging uncomfortably close to the middle class

Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 10d

New target for 2/3 young people to do HE or an apprenticeship is probably broadly sensible (abolishing 50% HE target that doesn’t exist is about headlines). But is it ambitious? 25% of YP already do apprenticeships. 50% do HE. Some overlap & likely app drop since this data. But just describing now?

3 1

Jack Kessler @jackkessler.bsky.social · 10d

The lowest paid in Britain have enjoyed a 70% rise in the minimum wage over the last 25 years — in real terms.

But stagnant median earnings have left the professional classes able neither to afford the lifestyles of the rich, nor to match the upward mobility of those below.

My newsletter, out now.

The Great Compression

www.linestotake.com

3 7 12

Learning and Work Institute @learnworkuk.bsky.social · 10d

In @feweek.bsky.social, L&W chief exec @stephenevans.bsky.social comments on the GLA's plans to introduce sector employer boards in London.

💬 Stephen said he hopes “the new boards will look at increasing employer investment in training, which has fallen 36 per cent in the last 20 years.”

Khan puts business bosses in skills driving seat

London Mayor Sadiq Khan is seeking employers in key sectors to join boards to 'ultimately lead commissioning' of skills, work and careers programmes.

Chancellor to ‘guarantee’ job or training place to young NEETs

Learning and Work Institute @learnworkuk.bsky.social · 11d

Great to see L&W chief exec @stephenevans.bsky.social's comment on the Government's plans to tackle youth unemployment in @feweek.bsky.social. ⬇️📰

New scheme to strip benefits from young people that refuse work or training in a bid to tackle rising NEETs

Chancellor to ‘guarantee’ job or training place to young NEETs

1 2

Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 11d

Pleased to be quoted in this piece. This is a really welcome step, though we need details on how we’ll ensure quality placements & support. We also need eligibility to encompass all who can benefit. Important to see as part of wider Youth Guarantee plans.

FE Week @feweek.bsky.social · 11d

📢 Out of work young people will be ‘guaranteed’ a work or training place in a bid to tackle rising NEETs, the chancellor will announce later today

feweek.co.uk/chancellor-t...

New scheme to strip benefits from young people that refuse work or training in a bid to tackle rising NEETs

Young people to lose benefits if they refuse job offers

2

Learning and Work Institute @learnworkuk.bsky.social · 11d

Check out L&W chief exec @stephenevans.bsky.social's comments in @telegraphnews.bsky.social on how we can best support young people not in education, employment or training. ⬇️💬

@eirnolsoe.bsky.social

www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202... 🗞️

Access Restricted

www.telegraph.co.uk

1 2

Learning and Work Institute @learnworkuk.bsky.social · 11d

"It's important this offer is open to all young people who need it, regardless of their benefit status."

In @thetimes.com, @stephenevans.bsky.social welcomes the Government's plans to offer paid work to young people not in work or training, but calls for more details.

@chris-smyth.bsky.social

Rachel Reeves is to announce a plan to seek out young people not in work or training, and ‘abolish’ long-term youth unemployment

Chancellor to ‘guarantee’ job or training place to young NEETs

1 3

FE Week @feweek.bsky.social · 11d

📢 Out of work young people will be ‘guaranteed’ a work or training place in a bid to tackle rising NEETs, the chancellor will announce later today

feweek.co.uk/chancellor-t...

New scheme to strip benefits from young people that refuse work or training in a bid to tackle rising NEETs

Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 12d

Rhetoric might focus on losing benefits if not taking up help. But actual announcement is paid work placements for 18-21s on benefit for 18m+. This is sensible, if not a huge group. Widen eligibility, ensure quality work, can make a real difference.

Learning and Work Institute's vision for a Youth Guarantee

Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 12d

Almost 1m NEETs is a real crisis. Over half have never had paid job. Schemes like Future Jobs Fund & Kickstart work. So this is welcome. But needs to be high quality work, open to all that can benefit, and part of a bigger plan to engage & support young people. learningandwork.org.uk/resources/re...

learningandwork.org.uk

Young people to lose benefits if they refuse job offers

Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 12d

Pleased to see the Government funding work placements for long-term NEETs, like Future Jobs Fund. As I say in Times, q’s on detail re eligibility (should be open on voluntary basis to young UC health claimants) & placements (how long, which employers, what support). www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...

Rachel Reeves is to announce a plan to seek out young people not in work or training, and ‘abolish’ long-term youth unemployment

The young against the young

1 5 7

Andy Westwood @andywestwood.bsky.social · 13d

I’m with him on ‘Fortunate Son’ (but slightly surprised he didn’t touch very much on education).
www.ft.com/content/3a24...

The real battle is within, not between, generations

www.ft.com

Michael Sheen - Adult Learners' Week message - 2025

Lincoln Bishop University @lincolnbishopuni.bsky.social · 13d

We are proud to be partnering with the Learning and Work Institute and the Carers Federation. 🙌

Together, we’re shining a spotlight on the challenges young carers face while balancing their studies with caring responsibilities and working to create a future where every carer can thrive

Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 14d

There's some interesting survey work on work intensification & how it's been rising within occupations (rather than just intense occupations growing & less intense shrinking). But faster in some (e.g. teaching & nursing) than others. www.cardiff.ac.uk/__data/asset...

www.cardiff.ac.uk

2 1 6

Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 14d

A fabulously inspiring message from @mchshe.bsky.social to 'never stop learning' the 'lightbulb moment' & how learning becomes more personal when you're an adult. Follow Michael's advice!

Sefydliad Dysgu a Gwaith | Learning and Work Institute @learnworkcymru.bsky.social · 21d

🎭 From Port Talbot to Hollywood -
@mchshe.bsky.social's secret?

📢Never. stop. learning.

This #AdultLearnersWeek discover your passion & find confidence in yourself.

🌟Free courses across Wales await:
adultlearnersweek.wales

youtu.be/4OXsBZryHlk

#NeverStopLearning

YouTube video by Learning and Work Institute Wales

youtu.be

1 2

Phil Aldrick @philaldrick.bsky.social · 15d

Striking data point from ONS today. Income inequality at lowest level in 40 years, with the low reached under the Tories.
From ONS dataset www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopula...

2 10 12

Learning and Work Institute @learnworkuk.bsky.social · 18d

In @thetimes.com, L&W chief exec @stephenevans.bsky.social welcomes the Government's plans to increase job support for people on sickness benefits.

Stephen said this would refocus support to people who get little help today, but called for a broader plan to engage people and offer a range of help.

Sickness benefits claimants will get training in push for return to work

About half of those on the highest level of incapacity benefits cite mental health problems