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.

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.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme must be extended for three months and reformed in order to prevent a ‘second wave’ of unemployment and support a phased return to work.

Around 10 million workers who are furloughed, at risk of redundancy or in sectors still heavily affected by social distancing measures, urgently require support to help them switch jobs and change careers, labour market experts say.

New analysis by Learning and Work Institute shows that the coronavirus crisis will cause an unprecedented increase in unemployment which risks exacerbating pre-existing economic inequalities.  

Our research shows young people are increasingly likely to be self-employed, in busier jobs, and need to update their skills, as a result of longer working lives and technological change