Employment experts call for £1 billion Youth Guarantee and urgent investment in education and back-to-work support. The Government needs to act now to tackle the fastest spike in unemployment on record or risk permanent damage to our economy and people’s livelihoods.

Government must urgently reform the apprenticeship levy and provide additional funding to prevent the loss of up to 75,000 apprenticeships at SMEs. New data uncovered by Learning and Work Institute shows the assumptions that underpinned the apprenticeship levy are flawed.

The employment rate remains important, but we should also look at total hours worked, the number of people temporarily away from work, and the timelier HMRC measure of payroll employment.

Learning and skills play a central role in driving economic growth, promoting social justice and supporting inclusive communities.

Northern Ireland risks slipping further behind other countries in the skills of its workforce, a new report by a leading research institute finds.

One million young people could be locked out of education, employment and training as a result of the pandemic, compounding previous shortfalls in education and employment support, a new Learning and Work Institute report finds.

Kickstart, the centre piece of the Chancellor’s Plan for Jobs, is vital for young people facing long-term unemployment, but it needs to have a core focus on the quality of support and making sure young people aren’t left out says leading thinktank.