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.
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.
Forensic work by @elizabethgerard.bsky.social & co.
Key recommendations:
⚫scrap delay of UC health entitlements to 22
⚫extra hour of work coach time for young UC claimants (cost £80m)
⚫recognise lvl 3 learning in work search obligations (pilot cost £40m)
⚫*sustained* outcomes in JCP perf management
Key recommendations:
⚫scrap delay of UC health entitlements to 22
⚫extra hour of work coach time for young UC claimants (cost £80m)
⚫recognise lvl 3 learning in work search obligations (pilot cost £40m)
⚫*sustained* outcomes in JCP perf management
September 10, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Forensic work by @elizabethgerard.bsky.social & co.
Key recommendations:
⚫scrap delay of UC health entitlements to 22
⚫extra hour of work coach time for young UC claimants (cost £80m)
⚫recognise lvl 3 learning in work search obligations (pilot cost £40m)
⚫*sustained* outcomes in JCP perf management
Key recommendations:
⚫scrap delay of UC health entitlements to 22
⚫extra hour of work coach time for young UC claimants (cost £80m)
⚫recognise lvl 3 learning in work search obligations (pilot cost £40m)
⚫*sustained* outcomes in JCP perf management
3. Is economic inactivity still a bigger worry than unemployment?
Over the last year or so, economic inactivity has been ⬇️, and unemployment ⬆️.
That’s an easier problem for traditional employment support to tackle - but it’s still not exactly good news.
Over the last year or so, economic inactivity has been ⬇️, and unemployment ⬆️.
That’s an easier problem for traditional employment support to tackle - but it’s still not exactly good news.
August 11, 2025 at 5:27 PM
3. Is economic inactivity still a bigger worry than unemployment?
Over the last year or so, economic inactivity has been ⬇️, and unemployment ⬆️.
That’s an easier problem for traditional employment support to tackle - but it’s still not exactly good news.
Over the last year or so, economic inactivity has been ⬇️, and unemployment ⬆️.
That’s an easier problem for traditional employment support to tackle - but it’s still not exactly good news.
2. Is the youth employment crisis plateauing?
There are 1.2 million NEETs: that’s 1 in 7 16-24s not in employment, education or training. Bad news.
Although in recent quarters, it’s looked like the numbers on NEET rates and youth long-term unemployment are starting to stabilise - but not fall.
There are 1.2 million NEETs: that’s 1 in 7 16-24s not in employment, education or training. Bad news.
Although in recent quarters, it’s looked like the numbers on NEET rates and youth long-term unemployment are starting to stabilise - but not fall.
August 11, 2025 at 5:27 PM
2. Is the youth employment crisis plateauing?
There are 1.2 million NEETs: that’s 1 in 7 16-24s not in employment, education or training. Bad news.
Although in recent quarters, it’s looked like the numbers on NEET rates and youth long-term unemployment are starting to stabilise - but not fall.
There are 1.2 million NEETs: that’s 1 in 7 16-24s not in employment, education or training. Bad news.
Although in recent quarters, it’s looked like the numbers on NEET rates and youth long-term unemployment are starting to stabilise - but not fall.
It’s labour market stats day tomorrow 🎉. Here’s what I’ll be trying to fathom 👀.
1. Are employers hiring/firing?
The big Q: what impact is NICs/minimum wage/tariffs/global uncertainty etc etc having on labour demand.
Tomorrow morning we’ll get new data on vacancies, and redundancy notices.
1. Are employers hiring/firing?
The big Q: what impact is NICs/minimum wage/tariffs/global uncertainty etc etc having on labour demand.
Tomorrow morning we’ll get new data on vacancies, and redundancy notices.
August 11, 2025 at 5:27 PM
It’s labour market stats day tomorrow 🎉. Here’s what I’ll be trying to fathom 👀.
1. Are employers hiring/firing?
The big Q: what impact is NICs/minimum wage/tariffs/global uncertainty etc etc having on labour demand.
Tomorrow morning we’ll get new data on vacancies, and redundancy notices.
1. Are employers hiring/firing?
The big Q: what impact is NICs/minimum wage/tariffs/global uncertainty etc etc having on labour demand.
Tomorrow morning we’ll get new data on vacancies, and redundancy notices.
Second week in a new job, so I have of course taken the afternoon off to see the Oval Invincibles get demolished at Lords.
Following in the footsteps of some great policy leaders I’m sure (@jillongovt.bsky.social springs to mind…)
Following in the footsteps of some great policy leaders I’m sure (@jillongovt.bsky.social springs to mind…)
August 5, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Second week in a new job, so I have of course taken the afternoon off to see the Oval Invincibles get demolished at Lords.
Following in the footsteps of some great policy leaders I’m sure (@jillongovt.bsky.social springs to mind…)
Following in the footsteps of some great policy leaders I’m sure (@jillongovt.bsky.social springs to mind…)
*reading this @samfr.bsky.social post, nodding* Public sector procurement rules are ridiculously obstructive
*reading this FT article on Reform DOGE’s data access woes* I love rules
on.ft.com/4eRsE1p
*reading this FT article on Reform DOGE’s data access woes* I love rules
on.ft.com/4eRsE1p
July 14, 2025 at 10:19 AM
*reading this @samfr.bsky.social post, nodding* Public sector procurement rules are ridiculously obstructive
*reading this FT article on Reform DOGE’s data access woes* I love rules
on.ft.com/4eRsE1p
*reading this FT article on Reform DOGE’s data access woes* I love rules
on.ft.com/4eRsE1p
“She made me feel like a person”.
Amazing testimony from a Work and Health participant and work coach duo.
But the big barrier Coleen is facing? Ageism.
If you want to know more about how we’re trying to change employer attitudes to 50+ workers, I will be discussing at the 3pm panel. #EmpSkills25
Amazing testimony from a Work and Health participant and work coach duo.
But the big barrier Coleen is facing? Ageism.
If you want to know more about how we’re trying to change employer attitudes to 50+ workers, I will be discussing at the 3pm panel. #EmpSkills25
July 1, 2025 at 9:33 AM
“She made me feel like a person”.
Amazing testimony from a Work and Health participant and work coach duo.
But the big barrier Coleen is facing? Ageism.
If you want to know more about how we’re trying to change employer attitudes to 50+ workers, I will be discussing at the 3pm panel. #EmpSkills25
Amazing testimony from a Work and Health participant and work coach duo.
But the big barrier Coleen is facing? Ageism.
If you want to know more about how we’re trying to change employer attitudes to 50+ workers, I will be discussing at the 3pm panel. #EmpSkills25
Stimulating start to #EmpSkills25 talking about skills development and talent pipelines into advanced manufacturing and engineering.
💡Lots of energy in sector if Gvt can convene
💡Skills gaps, skills shortages and people gaps are different things
💡If you want a safe job, become a welder
💡Lots of energy in sector if Gvt can convene
💡Skills gaps, skills shortages and people gaps are different things
💡If you want a safe job, become a welder
July 1, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Stimulating start to #EmpSkills25 talking about skills development and talent pipelines into advanced manufacturing and engineering.
💡Lots of energy in sector if Gvt can convene
💡Skills gaps, skills shortages and people gaps are different things
💡If you want a safe job, become a welder
💡Lots of energy in sector if Gvt can convene
💡Skills gaps, skills shortages and people gaps are different things
💡If you want a safe job, become a welder
Rt Hon Alan Milburn has the politician’s gift for a pithy phrase (not derogatory, in his case).
“We used to have a cyclical unemployment problem, now we have a structural worklessness problem”.
“The Gvt needs to look at this through an economic lens, not just a fiscal lens”.
#workhealthsummit
“We used to have a cyclical unemployment problem, now we have a structural worklessness problem”.
“The Gvt needs to look at this through an economic lens, not just a fiscal lens”.
#workhealthsummit
June 17, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Rt Hon Alan Milburn has the politician’s gift for a pithy phrase (not derogatory, in his case).
“We used to have a cyclical unemployment problem, now we have a structural worklessness problem”.
“The Gvt needs to look at this through an economic lens, not just a fiscal lens”.
#workhealthsummit
“We used to have a cyclical unemployment problem, now we have a structural worklessness problem”.
“The Gvt needs to look at this through an economic lens, not just a fiscal lens”.
#workhealthsummit
Sir Charlie Mayfield’s thinking has clearly advanced since he visited us 6 weeks ago.
But the really interesting stuff - the proposed solutions - are yet to come.
He hinted a bit at incentives for individuals to engage in support, & also talked about “systems”. Lots on SMEs. #workhealthsummit
But the really interesting stuff - the proposed solutions - are yet to come.
He hinted a bit at incentives for individuals to engage in support, & also talked about “systems”. Lots on SMEs. #workhealthsummit
June 17, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Sir Charlie Mayfield’s thinking has clearly advanced since he visited us 6 weeks ago.
But the really interesting stuff - the proposed solutions - are yet to come.
He hinted a bit at incentives for individuals to engage in support, & also talked about “systems”. Lots on SMEs. #workhealthsummit
But the really interesting stuff - the proposed solutions - are yet to come.
He hinted a bit at incentives for individuals to engage in support, & also talked about “systems”. Lots on SMEs. #workhealthsummit
That idea is threaded through the paper.
It's not an indefensible position. Young people do indeed show a greater propensity to flow into work from economic inactivity, so concentrating resources on them makes some sense.
But. In the context of a 100-year-life, a 50-year-old *is* a younger worker.
It's not an indefensible position. Young people do indeed show a greater propensity to flow into work from economic inactivity, so concentrating resources on them makes some sense.
But. In the context of a 100-year-life, a 50-year-old *is* a younger worker.
March 20, 2025 at 6:10 PM
That idea is threaded through the paper.
It's not an indefensible position. Young people do indeed show a greater propensity to flow into work from economic inactivity, so concentrating resources on them makes some sense.
But. In the context of a 100-year-life, a 50-year-old *is* a younger worker.
It's not an indefensible position. Young people do indeed show a greater propensity to flow into work from economic inactivity, so concentrating resources on them makes some sense.
But. In the context of a 100-year-life, a 50-year-old *is* a younger worker.
I think the Mayfield Review report is quite good - but there are baffling bits.
This section breaks down the types of interventions that workers with health conditions might need, by age.
Why does 'flex work' only feature for 50-64s? Why is 'case management' particularly needed by 35-49s?
This section breaks down the types of interventions that workers with health conditions might need, by age.
Why does 'flex work' only feature for 50-64s? Why is 'case management' particularly needed by 35-49s?
March 20, 2025 at 6:10 PM
I think the Mayfield Review report is quite good - but there are baffling bits.
This section breaks down the types of interventions that workers with health conditions might need, by age.
Why does 'flex work' only feature for 50-64s? Why is 'case management' particularly needed by 35-49s?
This section breaks down the types of interventions that workers with health conditions might need, by age.
Why does 'flex work' only feature for 50-64s? Why is 'case management' particularly needed by 35-49s?
I am about to run out the door, but I couldn't help but clock this glaring error in Mayfield report - working age described as 16-64.
65 is already 'working age'. By the end of this Parliament, 'working age' will also include all 66-year-olds. Data is not an excuse - you can get this from the LFS.
65 is already 'working age'. By the end of this Parliament, 'working age' will also include all 66-year-olds. Data is not an excuse - you can get this from the LFS.
March 20, 2025 at 12:57 PM
I am about to run out the door, but I couldn't help but clock this glaring error in Mayfield report - working age described as 16-64.
65 is already 'working age'. By the end of this Parliament, 'working age' will also include all 66-year-olds. Data is not an excuse - you can get this from the LFS.
65 is already 'working age'. By the end of this Parliament, 'working age' will also include all 66-year-olds. Data is not an excuse - you can get this from the LFS.
The timelines don’t quite match, but this insight from the historical section of the Deaton Review of inequalities draws a helpful parallel between the economic/health/inequalities conditions of the c19th and now.
academic.oup.com/ooec/article...
academic.oup.com/ooec/article...
March 16, 2025 at 6:11 PM
The timelines don’t quite match, but this insight from the historical section of the Deaton Review of inequalities draws a helpful parallel between the economic/health/inequalities conditions of the c19th and now.
academic.oup.com/ooec/article...
academic.oup.com/ooec/article...
Where does this number come from?
“£45bn can be saved by greater use of digital methods”
The Bain “State of Digital Government” review just seems to say this (twice). Can’t see a method? Just a good old “Analysis shows…”
It’s not my beat any more, but I can’t resist a 👀 digital savings number…
“£45bn can be saved by greater use of digital methods”
The Bain “State of Digital Government” review just seems to say this (twice). Can’t see a method? Just a good old “Analysis shows…”
It’s not my beat any more, but I can’t resist a 👀 digital savings number…
March 13, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Where does this number come from?
“£45bn can be saved by greater use of digital methods”
The Bain “State of Digital Government” review just seems to say this (twice). Can’t see a method? Just a good old “Analysis shows…”
It’s not my beat any more, but I can’t resist a 👀 digital savings number…
“£45bn can be saved by greater use of digital methods”
The Bain “State of Digital Government” review just seems to say this (twice). Can’t see a method? Just a good old “Analysis shows…”
It’s not my beat any more, but I can’t resist a 👀 digital savings number…
One in four people think it doesn't make business sense to employ someone over 50.
That is refuted by all the evidence - & it's an attitude that will stymie any attempt to grow our economy in the coming decades.
It's nothing to do with ageing. It's ageism. www.agewithoutlimits.org/article/over...
That is refuted by all the evidence - & it's an attitude that will stymie any attempt to grow our economy in the coming decades.
It's nothing to do with ageing. It's ageism. www.agewithoutlimits.org/article/over...
January 27, 2025 at 10:50 AM
One in four people think it doesn't make business sense to employ someone over 50.
That is refuted by all the evidence - & it's an attitude that will stymie any attempt to grow our economy in the coming decades.
It's nothing to do with ageing. It's ageism. www.agewithoutlimits.org/article/over...
That is refuted by all the evidence - & it's an attitude that will stymie any attempt to grow our economy in the coming decades.
It's nothing to do with ageing. It's ageism. www.agewithoutlimits.org/article/over...
December 6, 2024 at 8:16 PM
Weeknotes!
I’m still weeknoting, if you like finding out what other people do at work all week.
open.substack.com/pub/emilyish...
Feat. some further developed thoughts about what I think this White Paper means for people who are in their 50s and 60s.
I’m still weeknoting, if you like finding out what other people do at work all week.
open.substack.com/pub/emilyish...
Feat. some further developed thoughts about what I think this White Paper means for people who are in their 50s and 60s.
November 30, 2024 at 9:08 AM
Weeknotes!
I’m still weeknoting, if you like finding out what other people do at work all week.
open.substack.com/pub/emilyish...
Feat. some further developed thoughts about what I think this White Paper means for people who are in their 50s and 60s.
I’m still weeknoting, if you like finding out what other people do at work all week.
open.substack.com/pub/emilyish...
Feat. some further developed thoughts about what I think this White Paper means for people who are in their 50s and 60s.
Weeknotes, week 2
Featuring:
🍺 A cosy pub
🤔 Some more thoughts on the White Paper
📖 Some interesting papers/briefings
💚 Some excellent humans!
open.substack.com/pub/emilyish...
Featuring:
🍺 A cosy pub
🤔 Some more thoughts on the White Paper
📖 Some interesting papers/briefings
💚 Some excellent humans!
open.substack.com/pub/emilyish...
November 29, 2024 at 7:11 PM
Weeknotes, week 2
Featuring:
🍺 A cosy pub
🤔 Some more thoughts on the White Paper
📖 Some interesting papers/briefings
💚 Some excellent humans!
open.substack.com/pub/emilyish...
Featuring:
🍺 A cosy pub
🤔 Some more thoughts on the White Paper
📖 Some interesting papers/briefings
💚 Some excellent humans!
open.substack.com/pub/emilyish...
We spent the morning digging through the White Paper, and then the afternoon at the Wellcome Hard Graft exhibition.
Want to join this friendly crew? Deadline Sunday night!
ageing-better.org.uk/jobs/researc...
Want to join this friendly crew? Deadline Sunday night!
ageing-better.org.uk/jobs/researc...
November 27, 2024 at 3:51 PM
We spent the morning digging through the White Paper, and then the afternoon at the Wellcome Hard Graft exhibition.
Want to join this friendly crew? Deadline Sunday night!
ageing-better.org.uk/jobs/researc...
Want to join this friendly crew? Deadline Sunday night!
ageing-better.org.uk/jobs/researc...
Does the Government know that "having a high BMI" is not an unhealthy behaviour?
It is a risk factor. There are behaviours which can contribute to this risk factor.
But we will get nowhere if we describe 'being fat' as 'a behaviour'. Lazy thinking.
It is a risk factor. There are behaviours which can contribute to this risk factor.
But we will get nowhere if we describe 'being fat' as 'a behaviour'. Lazy thinking.
November 27, 2024 at 10:31 AM
Does the Government know that "having a high BMI" is not an unhealthy behaviour?
It is a risk factor. There are behaviours which can contribute to this risk factor.
But we will get nowhere if we describe 'being fat' as 'a behaviour'. Lazy thinking.
It is a risk factor. There are behaviours which can contribute to this risk factor.
But we will get nowhere if we describe 'being fat' as 'a behaviour'. Lazy thinking.
In the Analytical Annex to the Get Britain Working White Paper...
(stay with me, this is going to get interesting)
...DWP says we can hit 80% employment, because the Netherlands, Switzerland and Iceland have.
So let's look at the difference between them and us.
(stay with me, this is going to get interesting)
...DWP says we can hit 80% employment, because the Netherlands, Switzerland and Iceland have.
So let's look at the difference between them and us.
November 26, 2024 at 5:45 PM
In the Analytical Annex to the Get Britain Working White Paper...
(stay with me, this is going to get interesting)
...DWP says we can hit 80% employment, because the Netherlands, Switzerland and Iceland have.
So let's look at the difference between them and us.
(stay with me, this is going to get interesting)
...DWP says we can hit 80% employment, because the Netherlands, Switzerland and Iceland have.
So let's look at the difference between them and us.
…to hit that 80% target - & with a State Pension Age ⬆️ coming - they’re going to need to make sure the new system works much better for 50+/60+ jobseekers than the old one.
Some reccs on how to do that in our recent paper.
ageing-better.org.uk/resources/wh...
Some reccs on how to do that in our recent paper.
ageing-better.org.uk/resources/wh...
November 24, 2024 at 9:41 PM
…to hit that 80% target - & with a State Pension Age ⬆️ coming - they’re going to need to make sure the new system works much better for 50+/60+ jobseekers than the old one.
Some reccs on how to do that in our recent paper.
ageing-better.org.uk/resources/wh...
Some reccs on how to do that in our recent paper.
ageing-better.org.uk/resources/wh...
Don't say I don't know how to have fun on a Saturday night..
I like nosying on what people are actually doing day-to-day in their jobs. If you are the same, you might want to read my weeknote!
Contains reflections on our recent Health & Work paper, & a nice tree.
open.substack.com/pub/emilyish...
I like nosying on what people are actually doing day-to-day in their jobs. If you are the same, you might want to read my weeknote!
Contains reflections on our recent Health & Work paper, & a nice tree.
open.substack.com/pub/emilyish...
November 16, 2024 at 11:52 PM
Don't say I don't know how to have fun on a Saturday night..
I like nosying on what people are actually doing day-to-day in their jobs. If you are the same, you might want to read my weeknote!
Contains reflections on our recent Health & Work paper, & a nice tree.
open.substack.com/pub/emilyish...
I like nosying on what people are actually doing day-to-day in their jobs. If you are the same, you might want to read my weeknote!
Contains reflections on our recent Health & Work paper, & a nice tree.
open.substack.com/pub/emilyish...