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Dave Simmonds

Emeritus Fellow

Dave Simmonds OBE was the chief executive of the Centre for Economic & Social Inclusion up until its merger to form Learning and Work Institute. Dave was the co-founder of Inclusion in 1996 and built it to be a respected voice in UK ‘welfare to work’ research and policy. Dave has also worked as a special adviser to the House of Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee, and the OECD. Dave has advised the Scottish and Welsh governments, as well as the Northern Ireland Executive and the Republic of Ireland on their work on unemployment. Dave was awarded an OBE in the honours list for summer 2005 and is an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Employability Professionals. Prior to Inclusion he was interim director for England at the National Lottery Charities Board, now Big Lottery, and held various posts at the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, where he was responsible for economic policy and voluntary sector involvement in labour market programmes.

16 March 2026

Responding to the Government’s announcement on expanding opportunities for young people

L&W Chief Executive Stephen Evans responds to the Government’s announcement on expanding opportunities for young people on 16 March 2026.

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13 March 2026

Training and skills needs: Trends and challenges in UK growth sectors

This report, the second in a series of publications funded by Nuffield Foundation, explores the level of estimated skills needs in UK businesses alongside the level and type of training that employers provide.

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13 March 2026

UK’s training and skills ‘tick-box culture’ puts at risk job mobility and future growth, new report warns

New analysis has identified an overreliance on mandatory and compliance training in UK workplaces compared to other countries – at the expense of more in-depth upskilling required for the jobs of the future.

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3 March 2026

Responding to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s spring statement 2026

L&W’s Director of Policy and Research Dr Emily Andrews responds to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s spring statement on 3 March 2026.

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2 March 2026

When it comes to lifelong learning, are we any closer to the College of the Future?

Stephen Evans, Chief Executive at Learning and Work Institute, reflects on the role of colleges in providing adults with opportunity and agency throughout their lives.

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2 March 2026

Why adult education is an investment, not a cost

David Hughes, CEO at the Association of Colleges, sets out why a well-funded, high-quality adult education system is beneficial to society and the economy.

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26 February 2026

New innovation trial offers young Londoners with health conditions tailored support to get ‘work ready’

Shaw Trust is funding and designing a new service to help young people with a health condition or disability get ‘work ready.’ The innovation trial will be evaluated by L&W and launched in partnership with the West London Alliance.

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26 February 2026

Responding to the latest NEET data, February 2026

Learning and Work Institute chief executive Stephen Evans responds to the NEET data released on 26 February 2026.

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17 February 2026

Labour Market Briefing: February 2026

Our analysis of the ONS labour market statistics, released on the morning of 17 February 2026.

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