Join us on 21 May to discuss why essential skills, like literacy, numeracy, digital and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), have never been more important.

Our society and economy are undergoing rapid change, often driven by new technologies. Yet good essential skills remain fundamental, whether you’re trying to access health services online or a business seeking to develop a capable, skilled team. In England, almost 9 million working age adults are estimated to have low essential skills. And as society and the economy move on, the risk that people without the essential skills needed for life and work are left behind is growing.  At L&W, we believe that needs to change.

Building on the legacy of our longstanding annual events on English, Maths and ESOL, our new Essential Skills Summit is unique in its focus on research, policy and practice in adult essential skills.  Drawing on expertise from across the sector, this online event will explore key issues in essential skills, including:

  • The state of play. What are the implications of the Government’s learning, skills and employment priorities for essential skills, and is it enough to make a difference? What is the impact of skills devolution, and what scope is there for strategic authorities to address essential skills needs in their areas?
  • Joining up essential skills and work. With adult skills policy moving into DWP, what are the opportunities to join up essential skills and employment support? How can this be designed for the benefit of people looking for work, and those considering a return to the labour market after time out? What’s the role of employers, and how can they support essential skills for people in work?
  • Essential skills and technology. Why and how do essential skills matter in the age of Artificial Intelligence? Can emerging technologies help address essential skills needs?

Register for the summit below.

8 December 2025

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal meets London learners at an event for adults’ access to essential skills learning

On Wednesday 3 December, Learning and Work Institute was delighted to welcome their patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to an event in London about essential skills for learning and life, like literacy, numeracy and digital.

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8 October 2025

Ambition skills: toward a lifelong learning century

‘Ambition skills: toward a lifelong learning century’ is the final report produced as part of our Ambition Skills programme of work. It finds that achieving world-class skills could boost the economy by £22 billion.

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8 September 2025

International Literacy Day 2025: (It’s still) time for action

Marking International Literacy Day 2025, L&W Deputy Director Alex Stevenson reflects again on the state of play on adult literacy. Spoiler alert – the positives are harder to see.

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28 May 2025

Channel 4, Make UK and the National Housing Federation join new campaign to “get the nation learning”

A coalition of organisations including broadcaster Channel 4, manufacturers’ organisation Make UK, and the National Housing Federation have pledged to “get the nation learning” as a new report demonstrates that when adults learn, our society and economy thrive.

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16 May 2025

New expert group calls for strengthened resit policy and reversal of English and maths study requirement for adult apprentices

A new coalition of teaching and policy experts, including L&W, is calling on the Government to aim for at least 90% of 19-year-olds to achieve Level 2 English and maths by 2030.

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11 February 2025

Responding to the Government’s apprenticeship reforms

L&W’s chief executive Stephen Evans responds to the apprenticeship reforms announced by the Government on 11 February 2025.

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6 January 2025

Skills inequalities are larger in the UK than in other countries and are holding back growth, new report warns

New research from L&W finds the UK has larger gaps in workforce skills between different parts of the country than most other European countries.

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11 December 2024

Review of English language acquisition in the West Midlands

This research for the West Midlands Combined Authority explored how adults can be supported to progress in English language learning and how strategic partnerships can contribute to improved outcomes for learners.

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10 December 2024

Responding to the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC)

L&W’s chief executive Stephen Evans responds to the findings of the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC) on 10 December 2024.

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