Work Foundation
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workfoundation.bsky.social
Work Foundation
@workfoundation.bsky.social
260 followers 66 following 480 posts
The Work Foundation is a leading think tank for improving work in the UK. Part of Lancaster University Management School.
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workfoundation.bsky.social
After months of speculation, the Chancellor will step up to deliver the Budget Statement tomorrow.

@benrharrison.bsky.social explores the key steps the Chancellor can take to improve working lives and living standards during the remainder of the Parliament: www.lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat...
Ben Harrison, Director, Work Foundation at Lancaster University Autumn Budget 2025 - Work Foundation priorities 1. Fast-track funding for employment support and connect to job creation plans to reduce the risk of long-term unemployment 2. Provide the necessary resources to address health related economic inactivity 3. Resist returning to welfare cuts that would harm jobseekers, workers and undermine long-term growth 4. Resource the employment enforcement system to protect workers’ rights. Logos of Lancaster University and the Work Foundation.
November 25, 2025 at 5:02 PM
workfoundation.bsky.social
When the Chancellor delivers the Autumn Budget on 26 Nov, she will do so at a time of a slowing labour market & against a backdrop of deep political & economic uncertainty.

@benrharrison.bsky.social explores the challenges and opportunities facing the Chancellor: www.lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat...
A pivotal budget for good jobs and economic growth - Lancaster University
When the Chancellor steps up to deliver the Budget Statement on 26 November, she will do so against a backdrop of deep political and economic uncertainty and persistent pressure on the public finances...
www.lancaster.ac.uk
November 21, 2025 at 11:46 AM
workfoundation.bsky.social
As the Government prepares for the Autumn Budget, Jon Fitzmaurice looks back at our #WorkMatters discussion with @helenbarnard.bsky.social, @duncanweldon.bsky.social & Suren Thiru and asks whether the ‘smorgasbord’ approach will kick start economic renewal?

www.lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat...
Will a ‘smorgasbord’ approach kick start economic and labour market renewal? - Lancaster University
As the Government prepares for a landmark Autumn Budget, the Work Foundation at Lancaster University hosted an online event to review the latest labour market and inflation statistics and discuss whet...
www.lancaster.ac.uk
November 20, 2025 at 4:12 PM
workfoundation.bsky.social
The latest release from the ONS showed that 946,000 young people aged 16-24 were not in education, employment or training.

Our Principal Analyst, @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social, commented on the latest stats. See full statement here: www.lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat...
Quote of Rebecca Florisson, Principal Analyst, Work Foundation at Lancaster University “Today’s data shows that the number of young people aged 16-24 not in education, employment, or training remains stubbornly close to one million. "With unemployment across the labour market rising and vacancies having declined over the last 12 months, there is a serious risk more young people will slip into long-term worklessness without further Government intervention." Lancaster University logo Work Foundation logo
November 20, 2025 at 11:11 AM
workfoundation.bsky.social
Comment from our Principal Analyst
@rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social on the latest CPI inflation release from the ONS ⬇️

“The rate of CPI inflation has dropped to 3.6%. This could indicate we’re past the worst of the recent inflationary surge and may boost hopes of faster interest rate cuts. (1/5)
November 19, 2025 at 7:25 AM
workfoundation.bsky.social
WORK MATTERS: Join us on Wednesday between 14.00-15.00 to discuss what the labour market & inflation statistics mean for the decisions facing the Government at the Autumn Budget feat @duncanweldon.bsky.social, @helenbarnard.bsky.social & Suren Thiru.

Sign-up: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/work-matte...
14.00 - 15.00 | Wednesday 19 November 2025 | Online A Budget for economic and labour market renewal? As the Autumn Budget approaches, the Chancellor is facing tough choices against a backdrop of continued sluggish growth, a cooling labour market, constrained public finances and a political imperative to deliver the kinds of changes that ensure voters feel better off during this Parliament. Join the Work Foundation at Lancaster University and a panel of experts to review the latest labour market and inflation statistics and discuss how the Chancellor can improve living standards. Ben Harrison, Director, Work Foundation at Lancaster University Helen Barnard, Director of Policy, Research and Impact, Trussell Suren Thiru, Economics Director, ICAEW Duncan Weldon, Economist, broadcaster & writer Work Foundation logo
November 17, 2025 at 10:08 AM
workfoundation.bsky.social
The latest labour market statistics from the ONS indicate the UK jobs market is losing momentum as unemployment rises to a four year high.

@rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social explores the latest data in this article, including the rise of zero-hour contracts: www.lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat...
Graph showing unemployment at 5.0% in July - Sept 2025 - the highest for four years. Graph showing levels of zero-hour contracts. The current level is 1.2 million, just below the record of 1.22m (April-Jun 2023).
November 12, 2025 at 3:54 PM
workfoundation.bsky.social
Today, @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social (Principal Analyst) responded to the latest zero-hour figures from @ONS:

"The number of people on zero-hour contracts continues its upward rise to near record levels. There are now 1.2 million people on zero-hour contracts, the second highest on record." (1/2)
November 11, 2025 at 12:38 PM
workfoundation.bsky.social
Comment from our Director, @benrharrison.bsky.social, on the latest release from the ONS:⬇️

"As unemployment in the UK continues to creep upwards, today’s data underlines the importance of the Chancellor using the Autumn Budget to address the long-term labour market challenges... (1/10)
November 11, 2025 at 9:25 AM
workfoundation.bsky.social
ONLINE EVENT: Join us next Wednesday between 14.00-15.00 to discuss what the labour market & inflation statistics mean for the decisions facing the Government at the Autumn Budget feat @duncanweldon.bsky.social, @helenbarnard.bsky.social & Suren Thiru.

Sign-up: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/work-matte...
WORK MATTERS 2025 14.00 - 15.00 | Wednesday 19 November 2025 | Online A Budget for economic and labour market renewal? As the Autumn Budget approaches, the Chancellor is facing tough choices against a backdrop of continued sluggish growth, a cooling labour market, constrained public finances and a political imperative to deliver the kinds of changes that ensure voters feel better off during this Parliament. Join the Work Foundation at Lancaster University and a panel of experts to review the latest labour market and inflation statistics and discuss how the Chancellor can improve living standards. Ben Harrison, Director, Work Foundation at Lancaster University Helen Barnard, Director of Policy, Research and Impact, Trussell Suren Thiru, Economics Director, ICAEW Duncan Weldon, Economist, broadcaster & writer Work Foundation logo
November 10, 2025 at 11:48 AM
workfoundation.bsky.social
The Keep Britain Working Review has published its final report, setting out how to overhaul the role of employers in supporting workers to remain in work when they fall ill.

@benrharrison.bsky.social and @alicepmartin.bsky.social respond to the review's findings: www.lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat...
Keeping Britain working: A shared responsibility between Government, employers and employees - Lancaster University
Sir Charlie Mayfield’s Keep Britain Working Review has published its final report, setting out a roadmap for overhauling the role of UK employers in supporting workers to remain in work when they fall...
www.lancaster.ac.uk
November 6, 2025 at 11:43 AM
workfoundation.bsky.social
Comment from our Director @benrharrison.bsky.social
and Research and Policy Analyst
@aman93.bsky.social on the latest release of data on the employment of disabled people from the DWP:
Employment prospects for disabled people in the UK have stalled since 2019 - Lancaster University
The Work Foundation at Lancaster University responded to employment of disabled people 2025 figures released by the Department for Work and Pensions.
www.lancaster.ac.uk
November 4, 2025 at 5:20 PM
workfoundation.bsky.social
🏆Our #ResearchOfTheMonth goes to @city-redi.bsky.social at @unibirmingham.bsky.social for 'Understanding the UK’s Rise in Economic Inactivity Since 2020'.

It explores the uneven rise, with rural areas & peripheral towns recording largest increases. (1/5)

Read: www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/cen...
October 31, 2025 at 2:02 PM
workfoundation.bsky.social
Join us next Tuesday to discuss the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill with @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social, @benrharrison.bsky.social, Shazia Ejaz from @recmembers.bsky.social, @katenightingale.bsky.social from @youngwomenstrust.bsky.social and Lord John Hendy from @ieruk.bsky.social.
workfoundation.bsky.social Work Foundation @workfoundation.bsky.social · Oct 15
ONLINE EVENT: Join us on Tuesday 4 November between 14.00 - 15.00 to explore new research looking at the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on levels of insecure work across the country.

Register: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/increasing...
Online event Increasing job security in the UK 14.00 - 15.00 | Tuesday 4 November 2025 | Online Work insecurity has been a persistent feature of the UK labour market for over two decades. The Government’s flagship Employment Rights Bill represents a significant opportunity to reduce labour market insecurity in the UK over the coming years – but only if key reforms are delivered in full. Join the Work Foundation at Lancaster University to explore new research looking at the potential impact of two key reforms in the Bill – the introduction of new day one employment rights and zero-hour contract regulation – on levels of insecure work across the country. Speakers: > Ben Harrison, Work Foundation at Lancaster University > Rebecca Florisson, Work Foundation at Lancaster University > Lord Hendy, Institute of Employment Rights and barrister > Shazia Ejaz, Recruitment and Employment Confederation > Kate Nightingale, Young Women's Trust Work Foundation logo.
October 29, 2025 at 3:35 PM
workfoundation.bsky.social
Today, the House of Lords will consider amendments to the Government’s Employment Rights Bill.

Our recent Increasing job security report analyses the potential impact of the Bill on level of job security in the UK (1/5): www.lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat...
October 28, 2025 at 9:30 AM
workfoundation.bsky.social
Comment from our Principal Analyst @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social on the latest release of earnings data from the @ONS:

www.lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat...
Latest earnings data highlights living standards challenge for Government - Lancaster University
The Work Foundation at Lancaster University responded to Office for National Statistics figures on employee earnings in the UK in 2025.
www.lancaster.ac.uk
October 23, 2025 at 9:12 AM
workfoundation.bsky.social
Comment from our Principal Analyst @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social on the latest CPI inflation release from the ONS ⬇️

“Cost of living pressures are persisting for workers and their families across the UK as inflation is at its joint highest level since January 2024 at 3.8%. (1/6)
Cost of living pressures persist for workers as inflation at its joint highest level since January 2024 - Lancaster University
The Work Foundation at Lancaster University respond to the CPI inflation statistics (October 2025) released by the Office for National Statistics.
www.lancaster.ac.uk
October 22, 2025 at 6:23 AM
workfoundation.bsky.social
ONLINE EVENT: Join us on Tuesday 4 November between 14.00 - 15.00 to explore new research looking at the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on levels of insecure work across the country.

Register: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/increasing...
Online event Increasing job security in the UK 14.00 - 15.00 | Tuesday 4 November 2025 | Online Work insecurity has been a persistent feature of the UK labour market for over two decades. The Government’s flagship Employment Rights Bill represents a significant opportunity to reduce labour market insecurity in the UK over the coming years – but only if key reforms are delivered in full. Join the Work Foundation at Lancaster University to explore new research looking at the potential impact of two key reforms in the Bill – the introduction of new day one employment rights and zero-hour contract regulation – on levels of insecure work across the country. Speakers: > Ben Harrison, Work Foundation at Lancaster University > Rebecca Florisson, Work Foundation at Lancaster University > Lord Hendy, Institute of Employment Rights and barrister > Shazia Ejaz, Recruitment and Employment Confederation > Kate Nightingale, Young Women's Trust Work Foundation logo.
October 15, 2025 at 1:31 PM
workfoundation.bsky.social
This morning, @aman93.bsky.social (Research and Policy Analyst) made his media debut on @lbc.co.uk with @fayebarker.bsky.social discussing the latest labour market statistics from Office for National Statistics.⬇️
Image card with quote from Aman Navani (Research & Policy Analyst, Work Foundation at Lancaster University) speaking to LBC News on the labour market: "Business confidence is low, and I think we see that in the vacancies figures. The tax speculation doesn't help and I think there'll be a lot of talk about increasing the Chancellor's fiscal headroom, which is important. But the priority has to be raising living standards. "We saw today that nominal wage growth slowed to 4.7% and real earnings were up only 0.6%. And we've had nearly two decades now of lost growth and living standards. So the priority has to be growing the economy and making work pay. Logos of Work Foundation and Lancaster University
October 14, 2025 at 11:09 AM
workfoundation.bsky.social
Comment from our Director @benrharrison.bsky.social on the latest release from the ONS⬇️
“Today’s figures present serious challenges for Ministers hoping to ‘Get Britain Working’ and ‘Make Work Pay’ for workers across the UK. (1/8)
www.ons.gov.uk/employmentan...
Labour market overview, UK - Office for National Statistics
Estimates of employment, unemployment, economic inactivity and other employment-related statistics for the UK.
www.ons.gov.uk
October 14, 2025 at 8:23 AM
workfoundation.bsky.social
On Monday, we hosted a roundtable on overcoming youth health & employment challenges at the #ConservativePartyConference.

It was hosted by Rt Hon Alistair Burt (Lancaster University) & focussed on how to create pathways into work for young people. (1/3)
Participants at a roundtable on youth employment and health challenges at the Conservative Party Conference hosted by the Work Foundation and Lancaster University.
October 8, 2025 at 8:00 AM
workfoundation.bsky.social
🏆 Our #ResearchOfTheMonth goes to @timewise.bsky.social for their research paper 'Healthy By Design?' which shows that just 60,000 of the 2.4 million people economically inactive due to long-term ill health find a job each year. (1/5)

Read here: timewise.co.uk/article/why-...
Front cover of Timewise report, Health by design? Why better jobs for all should be a goal for UK Industrial Policy.
October 3, 2025 at 1:30 PM
workfoundation.bsky.social
Comment from our Head of Research, @alicepmartin.bsky.social, on figures from the Office for National Statistics on the impact of motherhood on monthly employee earnings and employment status.

The full statement is available at: lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat...
Alice Martin, Head of Research, Work Foundation at Lancaster University Impact of motherhood on earnings “Today’s figures present the stark and unfair reality for working mothers in the UK. “New data shows that five years after their first child, women’s monthly earnings are down by 42% (£1,051 per month), with average losses across the five years amounting to £65,000. “Addressing the motherhood penalty requires bringing parental leave policies into the twenty first century, ensuring both mothers and fathers get ample paid time off when they become parents – we should properly accommodate parenthood alongside work, not in spite of it." Lancaster University logo Work Foundation logo
October 3, 2025 at 10:17 AM
workfoundation.bsky.social
We have been at #LabourPartyConference #Lab25 hosting roundtables with Lancaster Uni and chaired by @benrharrison.bsky.social discussing the Employment Rights Bill, disability employment gap, AI and SMEs, living standards in coastal communities and youth employment.

Here are some highlights: (1/6)
Photo of a Work Foundation and Lancaster University banner
October 2, 2025 at 3:48 PM
workfoundation.bsky.social
READ: The Government has made headlines for guaranteeing paid work for young people who have been unemployed for 18 months.

But job guarantees are not new and @alicepmartin.bsky.social argues how it is designed and delivered will make all the difference.

www.lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat...
How to do a jobs guarantee well - Lancaster University
At first glance, the Government's announcement on a new Youth Guarantee looks like a positive move – but how it is designed and delivered will make all the difference. Alice Martin explores what…
www.lancaster.ac.uk
October 2, 2025 at 11:07 AM