Analysis commissioned by the Local Government Association (LGA) estimates that unless skills needs of employers are met there could be a potential loss of £120 billion in economic output by the end of the decade.
The research conducted by Learning and Work Institute shows that by 2030 there could be:
- 5.1 million low-skilled people chasing 2 million low-skilled jobs – a surplus of 3.1 million low-skilled workers
- 12.7 million people with intermediate skills chasing 9.5 million jobs – a surplus of 3.1 million people
- 17.4 million high-skilled jobs with only 14.8 million high-skilled workers – a deficit of 2.5 million.
30 September 2026
Protected: A Citizens’ Curriculum
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
22 September 2026
Building an AI-ready workforce: Creating a skills system that prepares UK knowledge workers for the AI transition
AI has transformative potential for the UK economy and could present a net uplift to productivity of up to £80 billion by 2035. Yet the UK workforce does not – yet – have the skills to successfully adopt and scale AI technologies in a truly transformative way.
22 September 2026
AI skills investment could add £80 billion to the UK economy
The UK can secure an £80 billion boost to its economy by 2035 if the Government and businesses act together to strengthen the technical skills system, according to a major report published today by L&W and The Rigby Foundation.
7 September 2026
UK must make training the ‘go-to’ response to skills needs, or risk holding back growth, new report warns
The Government’s plans to get the economy growing risk falling short unless it takes action to reverse sharp falls in the training employees get at work, new analysis warns.
7 September 2026
Understanding employer investment in skills
This is the third and final report of our project funded by the Nuffield Foundation looking at employer investment in skills, and how employees are responding to the need to upskill and retrain in a transitioning economy.
23 June 2026
VocTech Challenge: Skills for an Economy in Transition
The VocTech Challenge aims to accelerate the adoption and deployment of technology to help every adult in the UK get the skills they need to participate and benefit from our transitioning.
29 May 2026
I found my voice through lifelong learning – others deserve the same chance
Ed Balls, Former Cabinet Minister and Shadow Chancellor, sets out why lifelong learning is vital for the country.
1 May 2026
Driving Change in Higher Education
Learning and Work Institute is working in partnership with The Carers Federation with funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to improve the support that young adult carers receive in higher education.
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.
