Learning and Work Institute has been commissioned by the Local Government Association (LGA) to produce a series of top tips to support local government to develop a high-quality Connect to Work service to help people into work.  

Rolling out from April 2025 and spanning 43 areas across England and four areas in Wales, Connect to Work aims to support 100,000 disabled people and people with complex needs into sustainable employment each year. 

These top tips will give officers, and elected members alike, a good understanding of the benefits of Connect to Work, how to make good use of it, and how it can be aligned to other council and external work. The top tip themes are: 

  1. Identifying and engaging participants
  2. Strategic integration and joining up services
  3. Employer engagement
  4. Engagement with wider partners
  5. Skills and experience of staff. 

The top tips do not seek to replicate Government guidance, which should be read separately. They are also hosted on the LGA website.

20 January 2026

Labour market dashboard

Every month, Learning and Work Institute produces detailed and timely analysis of the latest labour market statistics from ONS. Explore our interactive charts.

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20 January 2026

Labour Market Briefing: January 2026

Our analysis of the ONS labour market statistics, released on the morning of 20 January 2026.

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20 January 2026

Labour market stats response, January 2026

L&W’s chief executive Stephen Evans responds to the latest labour market data from ONS.

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16 January 2026

From strength to strength: JobsPlus in Toxteth

Reflections from one of our delivery providers for JobsPlus, a new community-led approach to help people find work and boost their earnings. JobsPlus is being piloted on 10 sites across England, following the model’s success in the United States.

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13 January 2026

Labour Market Evidence Programme

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has commissioned the Institute for Employment Studies, in partnership with Learning and Work Institute, to deliver evidence reviews and practical resources on key labour market issues to help inform local policymakers.

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2 January 2026

Getting neighbourhoods working: over 1,000 people take part in community-led employment support

Over 1,000 people have engaged with JobsPlus, a new community-led approach to finding work and increasing earnings which is being piloted across England from Medway to Merseyside following the model’s success in the United States.

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16 December 2025

Labour Market Briefing: December 2025

Our analysis of the ONS labour market statistics, released on the morning of 16 December 2025.

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16 December 2025

Responding to Alan Milburn’s investigation into young people not earning or learning

Sam Avanzo Windett, Deputy Director at Learning and Work Institute, responds to the launch of Alan Milburn’s investigation into young people not earning or learning.

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16 December 2025

Labour market stats response, December 2025

L&W’s chief executive Stephen Evans responds to the latest labour market data from ONS.

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