Stephen Evans
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stephenevans.bsky.social
Stephen Evans
@stephenevans.bsky.social
1.2K followers 380 following 580 posts

Chief Executive, Learning and Work Institute.
Ex HMT, SMF and London government.
Learning, skills, labour markets & public policy.
Views my own.

Videos
Materials science 21%
Communication & Media Studies 14%
Posts Replies Media Videos

stephenevans.bsky.social
Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 22h
I’m very pleased to be a reader for these awards. Great to see recognition of innovative practice in further education.

Reposted by Stephen Evans

feweek.bsky.social
FE Week @feweek.bsky.social · 23h
🏆 Four colleges have been named among the winners of the 2025 Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Further and Higher Education

feweek.co.uk/royal-recogn...
Royal recognition: 4 colleges win top national prize
Queen Elizabeth Prizes announced for disruptive construction training, AI-powered ESOL, automotive skills leadership and an SME innovator
feweek.co.uk

Reposted by Paul Davies, Stephen Evans, Tim Leunig

stephenkb.bsky.social
Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 1d
Ultimately the minimum wage is a brilliant tool, but it can’t compensate for “we haven’t built any housing”, “we have cut cash transfers to the bone” and “all the third spaces have been cut to pay for social care”.
The minimum wage is not a cure all — we’re asking too much of business
Politicians spend too much time uttering cheap rhetoric about cheap labour
www.ft.com

Reposted by Stephen Evans

danneidle.bsky.social
Dan Neidle @danneidle.bsky.social · 1d
These reports the Government could revalue council tax bands F, G and H don't make sense to me. Here's what could actually be going on:

Reposted by Stephen Evans

libdems.org.uk
Liberal Democrats @libdems.org.uk · 6d
Today is Carers Rights Day. Across the country people are caring for each other and dealing with tough times.

This isn't just Ed’s story. It's the story of millions, and that's who the Liberal Democrats will continue to fight for.

Reposted by Stephen Evans

learnworkuk.bsky.social
Learning and Work Institute @learnworkuk.bsky.social · 6d
@stephenevans.bsky.social, Chief Executive of L&W, responds to today’s NEET data release from the Office for National Statistics.

learningandwork.org.uk/news-and-pol...

stephenevans.bsky.social
Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 6d
Another set of worrying NEET stats, 946k 16-24s not in education, employment or training. Hoping the Chancellor will speed up action on Youth Guarantee for England in her Budget. But also need a growing economy & businesses taking YP on. Policy impact on hiring a bit more ahem mixed at the moment...

stephenevans.bsky.social
Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 7d
Some great FE examples too, as ever. Eg Weston College Jobcentre Plus ‘takeover’ day led to lots of referrals to pre employment provision & better engagement with local council & JCP.

stephenevans.bsky.social
Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 7d
Off to the AoC conference to speak at a ‘hot topic’ session on adult education. Including how we make it more of a hot topic for policymakers, employers and others. Hopefully see some of you there at 10.50.

Reposted by Stephen Evans

omaromalleykhan.bsky.social
Omar Khan @omaromalleykhan.bsky.social · 7d
Link to the @suttontrust.bsky.social report here

www.suttontrust.com/our-research...
Degrees of Difference - The Sutton Trust
What role does higher education play in driving social mobility across the world?
www.suttontrust.com

Reposted by Stephen Evans

danneidle.bsky.social
Dan Neidle @danneidle.bsky.social · 12d
NEW - we've data showing huge numbers of people reducing their income to avoid high marginal income tax rates. Not just at the £100k point (as previously reported). But at the £50k point:

Reposted by Stephen Evans

thetimes.com
The Times & Sunday Times @thetimes.com · 12d
🔺NEW: Rachel Reeves given £10bn extra headroom ahead of income tax climbdown

The fiscal watchdog said the hole in public finances was now closer to £20bn, prompting chancellor’s market-spooking U-turn
Reeves given £10bn extra headroom ahead of income tax climbdown
Rachel Reeves given £10bn extra headroom ahead of income tax climbdown
www.thetimes.com

Reposted by Will Jennings, Andrew Scott, Stephen Evans , and 2 more

stephenkb.bsky.social
Stephen Bush @stephenkb.bsky.social · 12d
Big scoop by my colleagues, this:
Starmer and Reeves ditch Budget plan to increase income tax rates
Chancellor explores alternative ways to raise revenue to fill fiscal hole estimated at up to £30bn
www.ft.com

Reposted by Stephen Evans

learnworkuk.bsky.social
Learning and Work Institute @learnworkuk.bsky.social · 12d
Inspiring evening at the Mayor of London Adult Learning Awards which we are thrilled to support. 🏆

Congratulations to all the incredible winners and finalists!

#MOLawards

Reposted by Stephen Evans

julianhjessop.bsky.social
Julian Jessop @julianhjessop.bsky.social · 13d
Really important chart from the ONS... 🤓

The flipside of the fall in payroll jobs is that the UK's performance on labour productivity may actually have improved sharply - just as the OBR is about to downgrade its estimates for trend growth in the Budget 🙄

Reposted by Stephen Evans

learnworkuk.bsky.social
Learning and Work Institute @learnworkuk.bsky.social · 13d
"This award reflects our commitment to embedding learning and inclusive employment pathways into the heart of regeneration." 🌍

Check out coverage in London TV of our #GetTheNationLearning Net Zero Hero award winner Lendlease. ⬇️🗞️
Newham partnership wins national lifelong learning award for net zero innovation - London TV
A partnership between Lendlease, a real estate business delivering urbanisation and sustainable development projects, and Our Newham Learning and Skills, has been recognised with the ‘Net Zero Hero’ A...
london-tv.co.uk

stephenevans.bsky.social
Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 14d
2. Not to say there hasn't been real growth in people claiming benefits because they're out of work due to health since the pandemic. There has. And we need to offer better help to find work to those that can work. learningandwork.org.uk/resources/re...
The benefit trap
learningandwork.org.uk

Reposted by Mel Bartley

stephenevans.bsky.social
Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 14d
1. Quick update on new transfer to UC stats. Around 800k ESA claimants got notice of closure of legacy benefits by end Sep 25. Of these, 665k (98% of resolved cases) have claimed UC. This is main driver of rise in UC no work requirement group, mostly NOT a real rise. www.gov.uk/government/s...
Chart showing cumulative number of ESA claimants receiving notice of closure of claim and need to claim UC, along with whether they subsequently claimed UC or not.

stephenevans.bsky.social
Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 14d
This is poor framing. Particularly as the story later says c750k people have moved to UC from legacy benefits. Plus shifts in eligibility etc. We need to better support rising number of incapacity benefit claimants. But need to be accurate about where we are. www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
One million more claim universal credit without need to look for job
Number claiming Britain’s main out-of-work benefit reaches record high of 8.3 million — almost half of whom are not required to seek work
www.thetimes.com

Reposted by Stephen Evans

learnworkuk.bsky.social
Learning and Work Institute @learnworkuk.bsky.social · 15d
Our November labour market briefing is now live. 🔴

Read our full analysis of this month's labour market statistics from ONS. ⬇️
Labour market analysis for November 2025
Our analysis of labour market data from Office for National Statistics, released on the morning of 11 November 2025.
learningandwork.org.uk

stephenevans.bsky.social
Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 16d
Genuinely delighted to get a question re lifelong learning on @polcurrency.bsky.social. Do have a listen to the full excellent podcast & hear Ed Balls & George Osborne’s thoughts on lifelong learning. Personal achievement: unlocked. #GetTheNationLearning
learnworkuk.bsky.social Learning and Work Institute @learnworkuk.bsky.social · 16d
How can we make lifelong learning a priority for politicians, mayors, employers and others?

L&W chief exec @stephenevans.bsky.social asked @polcurrency.bsky.social after Ed Balls won our #GetTheNationLearning Lifelong Learning Ambassador Award.

Listen in full: www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/epi...

Reposted by Stephen Evans

learnworkuk.bsky.social
Learning and Work Institute @learnworkuk.bsky.social · 16d
How can we make lifelong learning a priority for politicians, mayors, employers and others?

L&W chief exec @stephenevans.bsky.social asked @polcurrency.bsky.social after Ed Balls won our #GetTheNationLearning Lifelong Learning Ambassador Award.

Listen in full: www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/epi...

Reposted by Stephen Evans

weaadulted.bsky.social
The WEA @weaadulted.bsky.social · 16d
Last week was Get The Nation Learning Week. Read WEA CEO @simonparkinson.bsky.social blog reflecting on the week gone by: bit.ly/4nDfRCk #getthenationlearning

Reposted by Stephen Evans

learnworkuk.bsky.social
Learning and Work Institute @learnworkuk.bsky.social · 16d
Read about our #GetTheNationLearning award winners in @feweek.bsky.social! 🏆

And discover their stories in full on our website: getthenationlearning.org.uk/award-winners/
Ed Balls among new Get the Nation Learning award winners
Former politician and broadcast production company recognised for lifelong learning commitments
feweek.co.uk

Reposted by Stephen Evans

ufitrust.bsky.social
Ufi VocTech Trust @ufitrust.bsky.social · 20d
We've joined the Get the Nation Learning campaign by @learnworkuk.bsky.social by signing their charter where we pledge to champion lifelong learning, lead by example, and open up access for everyone

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4nKijY3

#Learning #FutureOfWork #Skills
Ufi joins over 100 organisations to getting the nation learning
Organisations across the country are strengthening their impact and showcasing their commitment to lifelong learning.
bit.ly

Reposted by Stephen P. Jenkins, Stephen Evans

benbgeiger.bsky.social
Ben Baumberg Geiger @benbgeiger.bsky.social · 20d
*Have new WCA claims exploded in the last year?*
My new blog post on (another) mess in DWP statistics...
inequalities.substack.com/p/have-new-w...
Have new WCA claims exploded in the last year?
Yet again, the DWP has been publishing data in a misleading way, making it hard to know what's going on...
inequalities.substack.com

Reposted by Stephen Evans

learnworkuk.bsky.social
Learning and Work Institute @learnworkuk.bsky.social · 21d
@officialedballs.bsky.social won our #GetTheNationLearning Lifelong Learning Ambassador Award yesterday. ⭐

And this morning he discussed what the award means to him on Good Morning Britain. 📺

Watch the coverage (00:46:30): www.itv.com/watch/good-m...

Reposted by Stephen Evans

learnworkuk.bsky.social
Learning and Work Institute @learnworkuk.bsky.social · 21d
📢 NEW: International case studies reveal how the UK can boost employer investment in skills.

Funded by @nuffieldfoundation.org, our study identifying international practice among employers could help the UK increase employer investment in training which has fallen by 30% per employee since 2011.
New international case studies reveal how the UK can boost employer investment in skills - Learning and Work Institute
learningandwork.org.uk

Reposted by Stephen Evans

feweek.bsky.social
FE Week @feweek.bsky.social · 21d
⌛ College performance measures for English and maths will be changed so the government can monitor how much time students have in learning before they are entered for resit exams

feweek.co.uk/francis-revi...
Francis review sparks English and maths shake-up
Review response also reveals incoming guidance for colleges on enrichment
feweek.co.uk

Reposted by Stephen Evans

learnworkuk.bsky.social
Learning and Work Institute @learnworkuk.bsky.social · 21d
L&W chief exec @stephenevans.bsky.social responds to the final report of the Curriculum and Assessment Review published today. ⬇️💬

#lifelonglearning #furthereducation #adulteducation
Responding to the final report of the Curriculum and Assessment Review
learningandwork.org.uk