Far too many young people are neither earning nor learning and the numbers are rising, having a negative impact on their long-term career prospects and life chances.

The Government’s introduction of a Youth Guarantee in England is a good step in the right direction, but it will need a laser-like focus on delivery and greater investment to improve opportunities. Updating its flagship Youth Opportunity Index, Learning and Work Institute reveals that progress towards the Labour Government’s mission to “break down barriers to opportunity” still depends on where a young person lives. Talent is evenly distributed in our country, but opportunity isn’t. The Youth Guarantee needs to change this.

This Learning and Work Institute webinar explored the findings of our recent research and new data from our Youth Opportunity Index. It focused on how a Youth Guarantee can help the UK to reduce its NEET rate, and support young people to bridge the gap to education and employment. We will hear key insights from Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, one of the Government’s eight Youth Guarantee trailblazer areas. With other contributions from the Youth Futures Foundation and young people, we discussed how a Youth Guarantee can be successfully implemented.

Speakers:

  • Stephen Evans, Chief Executive, L&W
  • Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands
  • Sarah Yong, Director of Policy and External Affairs, Youth Futures Foundation
  • Zoya and Jayden, members of Youth Futures Foundation’s Future Voices Group

20 Ionawr 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.

Darllen mwy

20 Ionawr 2026

Labour Market Briefing: January 2026

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

Darllen mwy

20 Ionawr 2026

Labour market stats response, January 2026

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

Darllen mwy

16 Ionawr 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.

Darllen mwy

13 Ionawr 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.

Darllen mwy

2 Ionawr 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.

Darllen mwy

16 Rhagfyr 2025

Labour Market Briefing: December 2025

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

Darllen mwy

16 Rhagfyr 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.

Darllen mwy

16 Rhagfyr 2025

Labour market stats response, December 2025

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

Darllen mwy