Emily Andrews
@emilyishness.bsky.social
Director of Policy and Research @ Learning and Work. Previously @ Ageing Better, IfG. Very ex-teacher. PhD Victorian dementia. Views informed by my job, but my own.
I missed the leak when I went to get a sandwich. Does this mean I still have to watch the speech?
November 26, 2025 at 12:17 PM
I missed the leak when I went to get a sandwich. Does this mean I still have to watch the speech?
This sums up the fundamental tension in the "impact" agenda for me.
The route to policy impact is to accept the premise of what policy-makers want to achieve, and help them achieve it.
My whole academic training taught me to question/disrupt/reject policy-makers' premises.
The route to policy impact is to accept the premise of what policy-makers want to achieve, and help them achieve it.
My whole academic training taught me to question/disrupt/reject policy-makers' premises.
I fear that the major problem is that politicians crave simple answers and academics are trained to question. There was a really good research project on this years ago which I think @patrickdunleavy.bsky.social was involved in?
November 17, 2025 at 1:12 PM
This sums up the fundamental tension in the "impact" agenda for me.
The route to policy impact is to accept the premise of what policy-makers want to achieve, and help them achieve it.
My whole academic training taught me to question/disrupt/reject policy-makers' premises.
The route to policy impact is to accept the premise of what policy-makers want to achieve, and help them achieve it.
My whole academic training taught me to question/disrupt/reject policy-makers' premises.
Elizabeth understands what it takes to make these kinds of changes. She’s pushed me into a slightly more positive position about today’s review - but we’re all concerned that none of the change it promises will come to fruit quickly.
"Employers need to do more to help people stay in work and return to work, and we know that when employers get it right, it benefits everybody."
L&W Deputy Director @elizabethgerard.bsky.social responds to the Keep Britain Working Review. ✍️
L&W Deputy Director @elizabethgerard.bsky.social responds to the Keep Britain Working Review. ✍️
Responding to the Keep Britain Working Review - Learning and Work Institute
learningandwork.org.uk
November 5, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Elizabeth understands what it takes to make these kinds of changes. She’s pushed me into a slightly more positive position about today’s review - but we’re all concerned that none of the change it promises will come to fruit quickly.
Reposted by Emily Andrews
"Employers need to do more to help people stay in work and return to work, and we know that when employers get it right, it benefits everybody."
L&W Deputy Director @elizabethgerard.bsky.social responds to the Keep Britain Working Review. ✍️
L&W Deputy Director @elizabethgerard.bsky.social responds to the Keep Britain Working Review. ✍️
Responding to the Keep Britain Working Review - Learning and Work Institute
learningandwork.org.uk
November 5, 2025 at 1:05 PM
"Employers need to do more to help people stay in work and return to work, and we know that when employers get it right, it benefits everybody."
L&W Deputy Director @elizabethgerard.bsky.social responds to the Keep Britain Working Review. ✍️
L&W Deputy Director @elizabethgerard.bsky.social responds to the Keep Britain Working Review. ✍️
Feat. me hard at work improving my line management skills using a genuinely (and I must admit surprisingly, to me) useful AI tool…
Today, we’re at Portcullis House to discuss our #GetTheNationLearning campaign with parliamentarians!
Thanks to our partners @ufitrust.bsky.social @citylit.bsky.social @aoc-info.bsky.social and Multiverse.
Find out more and sign our charter: getthenationlearning.org.uk/get-the-nati...
Thanks to our partners @ufitrust.bsky.social @citylit.bsky.social @aoc-info.bsky.social and Multiverse.
Find out more and sign our charter: getthenationlearning.org.uk/get-the-nati...
November 5, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Feat. me hard at work improving my line management skills using a genuinely (and I must admit surprisingly, to me) useful AI tool…
Reposted by Emily Andrews
In celebration of Get The Nation Learning Week, we’ve put together a blog about five famous lifelong learners whose passion for learning has inspired millions to continuously explore and seek new knowledge: bit.ly/4974xLt #GetTheNationLearning @learnworkuk.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 10:01 AM
In celebration of Get The Nation Learning Week, we’ve put together a blog about five famous lifelong learners whose passion for learning has inspired millions to continuously explore and seek new knowledge: bit.ly/4974xLt #GetTheNationLearning @learnworkuk.bsky.social
As someone who has worked outside Gvt trying to create employer change, I don’t see anything here that harnesses the unique power of Gvt to actually do things.
So it all reads as sensible - it’s sort of what I would do - but I am not The Government!
So it all reads as sensible - it’s sort of what I would do - but I am not The Government!
Today’s Keep Britain Working Review essentially recommends Government takes a “What Works” approach to work and health.
My headline: really sorry to say this is a missed opportunity for the goodwill and legitimacy Sir Charlie has generated over the course of this review to deliver actual change.
My headline: really sorry to say this is a missed opportunity for the goodwill and legitimacy Sir Charlie has generated over the course of this review to deliver actual change.
Keep Britain Working: Final report
www.gov.uk
November 5, 2025 at 8:11 AM
As someone who has worked outside Gvt trying to create employer change, I don’t see anything here that harnesses the unique power of Gvt to actually do things.
So it all reads as sensible - it’s sort of what I would do - but I am not The Government!
So it all reads as sensible - it’s sort of what I would do - but I am not The Government!
Today’s Keep Britain Working Review essentially recommends Government takes a “What Works” approach to work and health.
My headline: really sorry to say this is a missed opportunity for the goodwill and legitimacy Sir Charlie has generated over the course of this review to deliver actual change.
My headline: really sorry to say this is a missed opportunity for the goodwill and legitimacy Sir Charlie has generated over the course of this review to deliver actual change.
Keep Britain Working: Final report
www.gov.uk
November 5, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Today’s Keep Britain Working Review essentially recommends Government takes a “What Works” approach to work and health.
My headline: really sorry to say this is a missed opportunity for the goodwill and legitimacy Sir Charlie has generated over the course of this review to deliver actual change.
My headline: really sorry to say this is a missed opportunity for the goodwill and legitimacy Sir Charlie has generated over the course of this review to deliver actual change.
It's Get the Nation Learning week!
We need learning to help us thrive and grow - as individuals and as an economy.
It should be an engine of progress, but right now it's deepening inequalities. People with the most money do the most learning; people with less do the least. That holds us all back.
We need learning to help us thrive and grow - as individuals and as an economy.
It should be an engine of progress, but right now it's deepening inequalities. People with the most money do the most learning; people with less do the least. That holds us all back.
November 3, 2025 at 9:31 AM
It's Get the Nation Learning week!
We need learning to help us thrive and grow - as individuals and as an economy.
It should be an engine of progress, but right now it's deepening inequalities. People with the most money do the most learning; people with less do the least. That holds us all back.
We need learning to help us thrive and grow - as individuals and as an economy.
It should be an engine of progress, but right now it's deepening inequalities. People with the most money do the most learning; people with less do the least. That holds us all back.
Reposted by Emily Andrews
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?
September 30, 2025 at 2:38 PM
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?
Is it churlish of me to immediately start wondering what level apprenticeships will count?
Valuing people for different choices they make about their education and ensuring dignity and respect for all is a powerful theme.
Two thirds into university or apprenticeships a brilliant target.
And we need to support the choices of the other third.
Education section of this speech v.strong.
Two thirds into university or apprenticeships a brilliant target.
And we need to support the choices of the other third.
Education section of this speech v.strong.
September 30, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Is it churlish of me to immediately start wondering what level apprenticeships will count?
Running the leaflet gauntlet at political conferences is always a challenge, but I don’t remember ever being confronted with leafletting CHILDREN before.
How are you supposed to stone-facedly walk past a 10-year old trying to hand you a leaflet about child poverty…
How are you supposed to stone-facedly walk past a 10-year old trying to hand you a leaflet about child poverty…
September 30, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Running the leaflet gauntlet at political conferences is always a challenge, but I don’t remember ever being confronted with leafletting CHILDREN before.
How are you supposed to stone-facedly walk past a 10-year old trying to hand you a leaflet about child poverty…
How are you supposed to stone-facedly walk past a 10-year old trying to hand you a leaflet about child poverty…
Reposted by Emily Andrews
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/...
Young people to lose benefits if they refuse job offers
Rachel Reeves is to announce a plan to seek out young people not in work or training, and ‘abolish’ long-term youth unemployment
www.thetimes.com
September 28, 2025 at 10:41 PM
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/...
This is of course great news.
But worth noting limited eligibility: UC claimants out of work for 18 months.
As our recent research showed, only 1 in 3 unemployed NEETs actually claim UC. To really tackle youth unemployment, we need to reach the rest.
learningandwork.org.uk/resources/re...
But worth noting limited eligibility: UC claimants out of work for 18 months.
As our recent research showed, only 1 in 3 unemployed NEETs actually claim UC. To really tackle youth unemployment, we need to reach the rest.
learningandwork.org.uk/resources/re...
September 29, 2025 at 7:29 AM
This is of course great news.
But worth noting limited eligibility: UC claimants out of work for 18 months.
As our recent research showed, only 1 in 3 unemployed NEETs actually claim UC. To really tackle youth unemployment, we need to reach the rest.
learningandwork.org.uk/resources/re...
But worth noting limited eligibility: UC claimants out of work for 18 months.
As our recent research showed, only 1 in 3 unemployed NEETs actually claim UC. To really tackle youth unemployment, we need to reach the rest.
learningandwork.org.uk/resources/re...
A great thread - and one that is more relevant to labour market policy than you might think.
The concern about economic inactivity has renewed interest in engaging people in employment support outside JCP.
But in order to do that, you have to rebuild some of the missing community infrastructure…
The concern about economic inactivity has renewed interest in engaging people in employment support outside JCP.
But in order to do that, you have to rebuild some of the missing community infrastructure…
The govt published its strategy to revitalise local communities last week
There is a heavy focus on directing funding to high streets and community spaces, which is part of the reason for declining "pride in place"
But it seems misguided for a few reasons
Short thread
www.gov.uk/government/p...
There is a heavy focus on directing funding to high streets and community spaces, which is part of the reason for declining "pride in place"
But it seems misguided for a few reasons
Short thread
www.gov.uk/government/p...
Pride in Place Strategy
The Pride in Place Strategy will help build stronger communities, create thriving places and empower local people.
www.gov.uk
September 28, 2025 at 12:00 PM
A great thread - and one that is more relevant to labour market policy than you might think.
The concern about economic inactivity has renewed interest in engaging people in employment support outside JCP.
But in order to do that, you have to rebuild some of the missing community infrastructure…
The concern about economic inactivity has renewed interest in engaging people in employment support outside JCP.
But in order to do that, you have to rebuild some of the missing community infrastructure…
Reposted by Emily Andrews
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.
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
www.thetimes.com
September 22, 2025 at 9:23 AM
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.
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.
Reposted by Emily Andrews
It’s journalism’s obesogenic environment problem.
Everyone knows you’re meant to eat your greens (speak to domain experts, double-check), but social media has created a sea of cheap and convenient (open an app), hyper-palatable (sensationalised, alarmist), nutrient-poor (dubious veracity) options.
Everyone knows you’re meant to eat your greens (speak to domain experts, double-check), but social media has created a sea of cheap and convenient (open an app), hyper-palatable (sensationalised, alarmist), nutrient-poor (dubious veracity) options.
September 11, 2025 at 10:19 AM
It’s journalism’s obesogenic environment problem.
Everyone knows you’re meant to eat your greens (speak to domain experts, double-check), but social media has created a sea of cheap and convenient (open an app), hyper-palatable (sensationalised, alarmist), nutrient-poor (dubious veracity) options.
Everyone knows you’re meant to eat your greens (speak to domain experts, double-check), but social media has created a sea of cheap and convenient (open an app), hyper-palatable (sensationalised, alarmist), nutrient-poor (dubious veracity) options.
NEET rates are soaring. This is well known by Gvt, who rightly fear a generation of young people unable to get out of the starting blocks.
BUT new @learnworkuk.bsky.social research today reveals only 1 in 4 are getting supported to find work via the benefits system. www.ft.com/content/f04d...
BUT new @learnworkuk.bsky.social research today reveals only 1 in 4 are getting supported to find work via the benefits system. www.ft.com/content/f04d...
UK youth economic inactivity is growing crisis warns TUC
Union leaders call for £1bn-a-year work placement scheme to get young people into labour market
www.ft.com
September 10, 2025 at 10:56 AM
NEET rates are soaring. This is well known by Gvt, who rightly fear a generation of young people unable to get out of the starting blocks.
BUT new @learnworkuk.bsky.social research today reveals only 1 in 4 are getting supported to find work via the benefits system. www.ft.com/content/f04d...
BUT new @learnworkuk.bsky.social research today reveals only 1 in 4 are getting supported to find work via the benefits system. www.ft.com/content/f04d...
And, perhaps more consequentially, Jacqui Smith isn’t leaving DfE - she’s becoming a joint DWP/DfE skills minister.
Which presumably means that she will have more influence in DWP, but I imagine not much of the policy work/people will move? Not necessarily a bad thing - certainly less disruptive.
Which presumably means that she will have more influence in DWP, but I imagine not much of the policy work/people will move? Not necessarily a bad thing - certainly less disruptive.
Adult skills has been unloved at DfE, which has always felt like the department for children, schools and families at heart.
Alison McGovern has called DWP as 'the HR department for the growth mission'. This change could/should bring that closer to reality.
Alison McGovern has called DWP as 'the HR department for the growth mission'. This change could/should bring that closer to reality.
Pat McFadden to DWP - which will also take on skills (currently in the DfE).
(Quick education nerd aside: that is actually a big machinery of government change if that includes 16-19 skills because it's includes funding for school sixth forms).
(Quick education nerd aside: that is actually a big machinery of government change if that includes 16-19 skills because it's includes funding for school sixth forms).
September 7, 2025 at 8:35 PM
And, perhaps more consequentially, Jacqui Smith isn’t leaving DfE - she’s becoming a joint DWP/DfE skills minister.
Which presumably means that she will have more influence in DWP, but I imagine not much of the policy work/people will move? Not necessarily a bad thing - certainly less disruptive.
Which presumably means that she will have more influence in DWP, but I imagine not much of the policy work/people will move? Not necessarily a bad thing - certainly less disruptive.
Just clocked that Alison McGovern has been moved out of the Employment brief.
I’m sad about this. She seemed a proper employment nerd. DWP reform agenda has felt a little disjointed over the last year - but the energy & ideas were all there, with lots of scope to learn and move forward positively.
I’m sad about this. She seemed a proper employment nerd. DWP reform agenda has felt a little disjointed over the last year - but the energy & ideas were all there, with lots of scope to learn and move forward positively.
Adult skills has been unloved at DfE, which has always felt like the department for children, schools and families at heart.
Alison McGovern has called DWP as 'the HR department for the growth mission'. This change could/should bring that closer to reality.
Alison McGovern has called DWP as 'the HR department for the growth mission'. This change could/should bring that closer to reality.
Pat McFadden to DWP - which will also take on skills (currently in the DfE).
(Quick education nerd aside: that is actually a big machinery of government change if that includes 16-19 skills because it's includes funding for school sixth forms).
(Quick education nerd aside: that is actually a big machinery of government change if that includes 16-19 skills because it's includes funding for school sixth forms).
September 7, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Just clocked that Alison McGovern has been moved out of the Employment brief.
I’m sad about this. She seemed a proper employment nerd. DWP reform agenda has felt a little disjointed over the last year - but the energy & ideas were all there, with lots of scope to learn and move forward positively.
I’m sad about this. She seemed a proper employment nerd. DWP reform agenda has felt a little disjointed over the last year - but the energy & ideas were all there, with lots of scope to learn and move forward positively.
Reposted by Emily Andrews
1. Looks like skills is moving to DWP. What might this mean? I assume it's 19+ funding, which these days is the Adult Skills Fund (£1.5bn, 2/3 devolved to mayors) & apprenticeships (£3bn, inc small numbers of 16-19s). All Govt structures create silos. You need to pick least bad & work around them.
September 5, 2025 at 4:07 PM
1. Looks like skills is moving to DWP. What might this mean? I assume it's 19+ funding, which these days is the Adult Skills Fund (£1.5bn, 2/3 devolved to mayors) & apprenticeships (£3bn, inc small numbers of 16-19s). All Govt structures create silos. You need to pick least bad & work around them.
Reposted by Emily Andrews
4. There's an opportunity too: half of people with low literacy or numeracy are out of work. How about an essential skills guarantee for everyone on benefits, giving them a chance to gain these fundamental skills? Or making the Youth Guarantee truly joined up? Or more ambitious devo in England?
September 5, 2025 at 4:07 PM
4. There's an opportunity too: half of people with low literacy or numeracy are out of work. How about an essential skills guarantee for everyone on benefits, giving them a chance to gain these fundamental skills? Or making the Youth Guarantee truly joined up? Or more ambitious devo in England?
Adult skills has been unloved at DfE, which has always felt like the department for children, schools and families at heart.
Alison McGovern has called DWP as 'the HR department for the growth mission'. This change could/should bring that closer to reality.
Alison McGovern has called DWP as 'the HR department for the growth mission'. This change could/should bring that closer to reality.
Pat McFadden to DWP - which will also take on skills (currently in the DfE).
(Quick education nerd aside: that is actually a big machinery of government change if that includes 16-19 skills because it's includes funding for school sixth forms).
(Quick education nerd aside: that is actually a big machinery of government change if that includes 16-19 skills because it's includes funding for school sixth forms).
September 5, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Adult skills has been unloved at DfE, which has always felt like the department for children, schools and families at heart.
Alison McGovern has called DWP as 'the HR department for the growth mission'. This change could/should bring that closer to reality.
Alison McGovern has called DWP as 'the HR department for the growth mission'. This change could/should bring that closer to reality.
Reposted by Emily Andrews
Welcome back (by the sounds of it) the DfES! We looked at shifting 19+ skills funding to DWP when I worked in govt. Ultimately decided the location of the policy area wasn't the key thing that had held it back. But will be interesting to see if this leads to a genuine change of approach.
Pat McFadden to DWP - which will also take on skills (currently in the DfE).
(Quick education nerd aside: that is actually a big machinery of government change if that includes 16-19 skills because it's includes funding for school sixth forms).
(Quick education nerd aside: that is actually a big machinery of government change if that includes 16-19 skills because it's includes funding for school sixth forms).
September 5, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Welcome back (by the sounds of it) the DfES! We looked at shifting 19+ skills funding to DWP when I worked in govt. Ultimately decided the location of the policy area wasn't the key thing that had held it back. But will be interesting to see if this leads to a genuine change of approach.
Reposted by Emily Andrews
🧵@learnworkuk.bsky.social is leading a pilot of community-led employment support programme, JobsPlus, which is making a real impact.
📈 Over 700 people engaged
💼 150 already in work
❤️ Many heartwarming stories of lives changed
You can find more info in our PR here: www.fenews.co.uk/education/mo...
📈 Over 700 people engaged
💼 150 already in work
❤️ Many heartwarming stories of lives changed
You can find more info in our PR here: www.fenews.co.uk/education/mo...
More than 700 people engaged and 150 in jobs as housing associations across England trial new model of employment support for their tenants | FE News
| More than 700 people engaged and 150 in jobs as housing associations across England trial new model of employment support for their tenants
www.fenews.co.uk
September 2, 2025 at 8:53 AM
🧵@learnworkuk.bsky.social is leading a pilot of community-led employment support programme, JobsPlus, which is making a real impact.
📈 Over 700 people engaged
💼 150 already in work
❤️ Many heartwarming stories of lives changed
You can find more info in our PR here: www.fenews.co.uk/education/mo...
📈 Over 700 people engaged
💼 150 already in work
❤️ Many heartwarming stories of lives changed
You can find more info in our PR here: www.fenews.co.uk/education/mo...