Latest Publications
Work, Skills & Education
We research all aspects of education and work, but we focus particularly on aspects that political debate often neglects: further education; vocational and technical education; apprenticeships and lifelong learning; in-work poverty.
Latest Publications:
Publication
Fulfilling its potential? How well does the careers information, advice and guidance serve the people it is meant to support in England?
This report examines school leavers and adult learners’ experiences of careers information, advice and guidance (IAG) in England. Drawing on focus groups with school leavers, adult learners and parents, plus discussions with experts and practitioners, it presents new evidence on the way that people engage with IAG. The report makes policy recommendations in order to increase the personalisation, accountability, and accessibility of IAG.
| Published: | 01 April 2022 |
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| Author(s): | Niamh O Regan, Aveek Bhattacharya |
Publication
Installing for time? New evidence on the attitudes of home heat installers towards decarbonisation and heat pumps
This report draws attention to the home heat workforce - the plumbers, heating and gas engineers, and installers - who will be playing an essential in delivering the UK's net zero targets. It provides much-needed insight into the challenges and barriers facing the industry, and highlights the need for policymakers to step in and address them.
| Published: | 08 February 2022 |
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| Author(s): | Amy Norman, Niamh O Regan |
Publication
Capital concerns: Poverty in London and the role of business in helping tackle it
This report calls attention to the scale of in-work poverty in the UK and London today, what drives it, and the impact it has. It is a part of a wider project – created in partnership with Trust for London - to develop a new benchmark that helps businesses tackle in-work poverty.
| Published: | 23 January 2022 |
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| Author(s): | Richard Hyde, Jake Shepherd |
Publication
Rides and responsibilities: Understanding the needs and preferences of those who work in the gig economy
This report builds a picture of the needs and experiences of those doing gig work and how they compare to those in more traditional forms of work. The findings have implications for how policymakers can address the concerns of gig economy workers, as well as for how the platforms should behave towards them.
| Published: | 29 November 2021 |
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| Author(s): | Aveek Bhattacharya, Jake Shepherd |
Publication
Did no one call the plumber? Analysis of the Heat and Buildings Strategy’s approach to skills and workers
This briefing paper analyses the Government’s recent Heat and Buildings Strategy, published last month, insofar that it provides clarity, direction and support for the workers who would deliver the decarbonisation of home heat and thus play a key role in the UK’s Net Zero plans.
| Published: | 18 November 2021 |
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| Author: | Amy Norman |
Publication
A healthier future: How to make general practice work better for everyone
This is a collection of essays about general practice in England and its future. The authors offer analysis and prescriptions based on expertise developed working in fields including medicine, NHS management, economics and the Civil Service.
| Published: | 08 November 2021 |
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| Author: | Social Market Foundation |
Publication
Signal failure: How can we get more value and less waste from our education system?
This paper discusses the issue of signalling in education – the possibility that some forms of education may do little directly to improve learners’ skills and effectiveness, but may be used primarily to demonstrate or ‘signal’ their pre-existing traits or ability.
| Published: | 30 September 2021 |
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| Author(s): | Aveek Bhattacharya, Chris Percy |
Publication
The education divide is about disrespect: why it matters and what graduates should do about it
Disrespect causes disruption – Decision-makers and people with influence urgently need to address the deficit in respect between graduates and those without a degree, recognising that the emphasis on high-level...
| Published: | 21 September 2021 |
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| Author: | Rt Hon Stowell of Beeston |
Publication
Guaranteeing a rapid recovery
This briefing paper explores how innovative solutions can help to secure a rapid economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, regarding both jobs and financial resilience.
| Published: | 20 September 2021 |
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| Author: | Scott Corfe |