Stephen Evans
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stephenevans.bsky.social
Stephen Evans
@stephenevans.bsky.social
1.3K followers 380 following 640 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 · 1d
How do we help people in at risk occupations to change career? Join us to talk about it. [Add topical joke of your choice].

Reposted by Stephen Evans

learnworkuk.bsky.social
Learning and Work Institute @learnworkuk.bsky.social · 1d
Just over two weeks to go until our webinar with @thenfer.bsky.social! 📺

This webinar on Tuesday 24 February will present research from NFER's #Skills2035 programme to consider how the adult skills system can better meet the needs of people in at-risk occupations.

Register now. ⬇️
Turning risk into opportunity: Reskilling workers in a changing economy - Learning and Work Institute
This webinar will present research from NFER’s The Skills Imperative 2035 programme and consider how the adult skills system can be reinvigorated to better meet the needs of people in at-risk occupati...
learningandwork.org.uk

stephenevans.bsky.social
Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 1d
One to look out for - Family Resources Survey going to be linked to admin & could make a substantive difference to relative poverty measures. www.thetimes.com/comment/colu...
Is child poverty really as widespread as official figures show?
Labour has staked its credibility on cutting it, so it’s worth straightening out the data
www.thetimes.com

stephenevans.bsky.social
Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 3d
This is an excellent piece about the questions we need to understand re what’s going on in the labour market. Growing pains, shrinking pains, or something in between?

Reposted by Stephen Evans

gilesyb.bsky.social
Giles Wilkes @gilesyb.bsky.social · 3d
www.resolutionfoundation.org/comment/uk-p...

The overlooked story of booming UK productivity?
UK productivity grew more in the last year than in the previous seven combined • Resolution Foundation
Here’s some good news that might have passed you by. UK productivity – how much the economy produces per hour worked – grew more in the past year than in the previous seven years combined. I know. It ...
www.resolutionfoundation.org

Reposted by Stephen Evans

learnworkuk.bsky.social
Learning and Work Institute @learnworkuk.bsky.social · 4d
Our #DrivingChangeHE project, in partnership with Carers Federation, supported by @tnlcommunityfund.org.uk, has been supporting 23 universities to improve support for young adult carers. 🎓

➡️ Explore our new infographic showing what has been achieved: learningandwork.org.uk/driving-chan...
Driving Change in Higher Education - Learning and Work Institute
Learning and Work Institute is working in partnership with The Carers Federation with funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to improve the support that young adult carers receive in higher ...
learningandwork.org.uk

stephenevans.bsky.social
Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 4d
Combination of rising budgets to 2010, Govt focus (e.g. skills for life), plus more people go into learning in recessions (more time plus prepare for new jobs). Then post 2010 funding down & per learner rates frozen, govt focus on essential skills for adults down etc.

stephenevans.bsky.social
Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 4d
Very pleased @learnworkuk.bsky.social is part of this initiative. Please spread the word to all who might be interested in working in a think tank or research organisation.
resolutionfoundation.org Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 4d
Thinking of a career in think tanks?

We're hosting a webinar for undergraduates or those with similar experience interested in working in the sector. We'll have speakers from numerous organisations sharing their insight and experience.

Register here 👉 buff.ly/DYHqI26
Working in the think tank sector Webinar for undergraduates or those with similar experience interested in working in the sector Think tanks are research organisations that develop ideas and suggestions for action on a whole range of subjects affecting society. Using research, analysis and commentary, we aim to inform and influence politicians, policy makers and the public. This event is aimed at people from Black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups, people with work-limiting health conditions or impairments, young adults with caring responsibilities (including young parents), mature students, people from lower-income backgrounds, care leavers and LGBT+ students. Wednesday 18 February 2026 3:30 pm - 6:05 pm

Reposted by Stephen Evans

resolutionfoundation.org
Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 4d
Thinking of a career in think tanks?

We're hosting a webinar for undergraduates or those with similar experience interested in working in the sector. We'll have speakers from numerous organisations sharing their insight and experience.

Register here 👉 buff.ly/DYHqI26
Working in the think tank sector Webinar for undergraduates or those with similar experience interested in working in the sector Think tanks are research organisations that develop ideas and suggestions for action on a whole range of subjects affecting society. Using research, analysis and commentary, we aim to inform and influence politicians, policy makers and the public. This event is aimed at people from Black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups, people with work-limiting health conditions or impairments, young adults with caring responsibilities (including young parents), mature students, people from lower-income backgrounds, care leavers and LGBT+ students. Wednesday 18 February 2026 3:30 pm - 6:05 pm

stephenevans.bsky.social
Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 5d
These things are all interesting in terms of how the labour market works in practice (and hence the effect of future policy changes), future growth potential (weak by post-WW2 standards but perhaps AI will save us...), and what to look out for in the wage growth data.
Monetary Policy Report - February 2026
Our quarterly report sets out the economic analysis and inflation projections that the Monetary Policy Committee uses to make its interest rate decisions.
www.bankofengland.co.uk

stephenevans.bsky.social
Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 5d
Interesting snippets in Bank of England inflation report. They think Brexit leaves potential productivity 3.25% lower by end 2028. That 3.25% wage growth is consistent with inflation target. And that more firms wage setting looks like bargaining outcomes than union membership implies.

Reposted by Stephen Evans, Melanie Simms

helenbarnard.bsky.social
Helen Barnard @helenbarnard.bsky.social · 6d
Useful timeline of when different bits of the Employment Rights Act will take effect. www.gov.uk/government/p...
Plan to Make Work Pay and Employment Rights Act: timeline update
www.gov.uk

stephenevans.bsky.social
Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 6d
Yes, you're right, skills do not necessarily equal qualifications, and vice versa. Though I'd say the 60%+ drop in participation in the last decade is still something to worry about.

stephenevans.bsky.social
Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 6d
It's worth noting too there's a 7% drop in adults taking part in FE courses in England. Not uncoincidentally the Government cut the budget for 25-26 by c7%. This follows it halving in real terms since 2010. Fortunately there's no need economically or socially to improve skills, so that's fine...

stephenevans.bsky.social
Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 6d
Should've said, this is all England-only data. And this isn't just about Government, it's also about what Mayor's prioritise as 2/3 of the £1.4bn adult skills fund is devolved to them in England.

stephenevans.bsky.social
Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 6d
These core English & maths skills are vital for work, future economy (e.g. to use AI properly), social inclusion, accessing public services etc. Yet don't seem to be a priority for Government & indeed policy & further funding cuts risk taking us backwards. We need more people to care about this.

stephenevans.bsky.social
Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 6d
New data shows a further 14% drop so far this year in adults taking English & maths courses. All due to fewer apprentices doing so after Government removed the requirement. Reminder: 9m adults in England have low literacy or numeracy; it'll take 25 years for all to get help on current trends.

stephenevans.bsky.social
Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 7d
This is a very good idea, one @learnworkuk.bsky.social have called for since our 2020 Youth Commission. Helps for 58% of NEETs who’ve never had a paid job. Hopefully eligibility expands from current very narrow limits.
feweek.bsky.social FE Week @feweek.bsky.social · 7d
💼 The government’s jobs guarantee programme will include grants of up to £2,650 per participant for organisations supporting unemployed young people into paid work placements
feweek.co.uk/jobs-guarant...
'Jobs guarantee' delivery partners paid up to £2,650
Government's jobs guarantee programme will include grants of up to £2,650 per participant for organisations supporting unemployed young into work placements.
feweek.co.uk

Reposted by Stephen Evans

feweek.bsky.social
FE Week @feweek.bsky.social · 7d
💼 The government’s jobs guarantee programme will include grants of up to £2,650 per participant for organisations supporting unemployed young people into paid work placements
feweek.co.uk/jobs-guarant...
'Jobs guarantee' delivery partners paid up to £2,650
Government's jobs guarantee programme will include grants of up to £2,650 per participant for organisations supporting unemployed young into work placements.
feweek.co.uk

Reposted by Stephen Evans

learnworkuk.bsky.social
Learning and Work Institute @learnworkuk.bsky.social · 8d
Register for our webinar: 'No train, no gain' 📺

This webinar will reflect on our research commissioned by Multiverse showing how access to in-work training can act as a boon for people’s pay and careers.

📆 Wednesday 11 March

🕑 1-2pm

Register now: learningandwork.org.uk/events/no-tr...
No train, no gain - Learning and Work Institute
This webinar will explore findings of L&W research showing how access to in-work training can act as a boon for people’s pay and careers.
learningandwork.org.uk

Reposted by Stephen Evans

learnworkuk.bsky.social
Learning and Work Institute @learnworkuk.bsky.social · 8d
Read L&W chief exec @stephenevans.bsky.social's comment on graduate unemployment in London in The Telegraph. 🗞️

“It does look like, on the face of it, that this is a kind of deterioration in the labour market in London.”

www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
London was the place to start a career. Now graduates can’t get a job
The well-trodden route to career success has been stymied by soaring unemployment in the capital
www.telegraph.co.uk

Reposted by Stephen Evans

gavin-kelly.bsky.social
Gavin Kelly @gavin-kelly.bsky.social · 13d
Major @nuffieldfoundation.org funded research on the trajectory of high-achieving pupils at age 11 (from poorer & better-off families) through school into HE (or not).

The class gap in entry to the Russel Group is very large, mostly (not exclusively) explained by attainment & seems to have narrowed

stephenevans.bsky.social
Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 14d
I’m increasingly convinced that the best way to be well off is to have or come into money or have well off parents who give you money. Am available for speaking events or newspaper columns on the topic.

Reposted by Stephen Evans

learnworkuk.bsky.social
Learning and Work Institute @learnworkuk.bsky.social · 15d
Read L&W chief exec @stephenevans.bsky.social's comment on cuts to skills bootcamps in @feweek.bsky.social. ⬇️🗞️
Bootcamp cuts as DWP switches to ‘budget-led’ funding
Local authorities face cuts of up to 75 per cent to their skills bootcamp budgets under a new government funding model based on historic delivery, not demand.
feweek.co.uk

Reposted by Stephen Evans, Hayley Bennett

learnworkuk.bsky.social
Learning and Work Institute @learnworkuk.bsky.social · 19d
Apply to be the new Head of Research at L&W!

In this role, you would lead innovative, impactful research and evaluation projects across our focus areas of employment and skills. 🔍

Think you'd be the right fit? Find out more and apply by 20 February. 📬
Head of Research: Qualitative Methods and Evaluation - Learning and Work Institute
learningandwork.org.uk

Reposted by Stephen Evans

zionlights.bsky.social
Zion Lights @zionlights.bsky.social · 19d
Why don’t people believe experts? A lot of public communication still relies on the deficit model. But this approach consistently fails, and here I explain why.

For more science content follow my channel on YouTube > youtube.com/shorts/IkKdD...

stephenevans.bsky.social
Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 20d
9m adults in England have low literacy or numeracy. Yet our analysis shows 63% fewer people each year are taking courses to improve as funding cut. And @theifs.bsky.social analysis today shows we're spending 15-29% less per learner than in 2013-14. Not good for productivity or life chances.

Reposted by Stephen Evans

paulbivand.bsky.social
Paul Bivand @paulbivand.bsky.social · 20d
Not actually job losses (Outflows from HMRC employment) much, decline is in recruitment (Inflow to HMRC employment). Which predominantly affects young labour market entrants. But your points on Nat Ins. etc. may have affected recruitment more.

stephenevans.bsky.social
Stephen Evans @stephenevans.bsky.social · 21d
3. Bonus chart. Lots of discussion about reduced dynamism hitting UK growth. People moving into work or changing jobs as % of total employment has definitely dropped post financial crisis, from 9.5-10% to c8% per quarter. Equivalent to c1m fewer p.a. Career change less common too.