workers in ill-health to re-shape the their employment to better accommodate their health conditions.
2. It needs to move beyond an information-sharing exercise among committed employers and instead builds evidence about what works where challenges are greatest. (5/5)
Our findings offer two key lessons that could help turn Keep Britain Working Review’s vision of workplace health into a reality.
1. It must explore how interventions such as greater flexibility, enhance autonomy, and paid sick leave can be effectively utilised to enable (4/5)
Workers with long-term health conditions’ perception that overall, their employers’ actions had supported them to stay in work, by income and professional status of employment. Our results revealed: - Low income 47%, mid-high income 68% - Non-professional (51%), professional (65%) Lancaster University and Work Foundation logos.
Workers with long-term health conditions in lower paid roles were more likely to miss out on support. Mid-high income jobs were 21 percentage points more likely to say their employers’ actions had supported them to stay in work (68% vs 47%). (3/5)
Perceived effectiveness of workplace interventions among workers with long-term health conditions that had received them. Our results revealed that the interventions that were rated as being most helpful by their recipients related to their employment conditions: more control over their work (73%), paid sick leave (71%), and flexibility over location (69%), working hours (68%), and job role (68%). Source: Work Foundation analysis of nationally representative survey 1,138 working age adults with long-term health conditions (May 2025). Lancaster University and Work Foundation logos.
Survey data reveals the interventions that were rated as being most helpful by employees with long-term health conditions were more control over their work (73%), paid sick leave (71%), and flexibility over location (69%), working hours (68%), and job role (68%). (2/5)
Workers with long-term health conditions’ perception that overall, their employers’ actions had supported them to stay in work, by access to workplace health intervention. Our results revealed: - Workers given more control over work (68%), workers not given more control over work (33%) - Workers provided with periods of sick leave (67%), workers provided with periods of sick leave (34%) - Workers given flexibility over work location (72%), workers not given flexibility over work location (35%) - Workers provided with flexibility to change job description and role (72%), workers not provided with flexibility to change job description and role (35%). Lancaster University and Work Foundation logos.
Today, we have released new analysis looking at how the Government can make the Keep Britain Working Vanguard Phase - led by Sir Charlie Mayfield - a success.
Read the article (1/5): www.lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat...
Applications for our Policy Advisor vacancy close at 11.59pm on Thursday 5 March 2026.
If you're a talented researcher who wants to tackle structural inequalities in the labour market, then do check out the role: www.lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat....
Ben Harrison, Director, Work Foundation at Lancaster University “Despite the Chancellor seeking to strike a robust tone regarding the impact of the Government’s economic agenda, ultimately the pace of progress remains slow. “The OBR’s forecasts underline that 2026 is likely to continue to be highly challenging – particularly for workers struggling with the cost of living crisis and for young people struggling to find a secure job. “It’s critical that the Government seeks to go further and faster in driving wider economic growth during a period of international uncertainty." Work Foundation and Lancaster University logos
Comment from our Director, @benrharrison.bsky.social, on the Chancellor's Spring Forecast.
“Despite the Chancellor seeking to strike a robust tone regarding the impact of the Government’s economic agenda, ultimately the pace of progress remains slow."
Read: www.lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat...
Official statistics released on Thursday show the number of young people who are not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) remains stubbornly high at 957,000.
Jess Redmond explores the picture in this opinion piece: www.lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat...
WORK MATTERS 2026 14.00 - 15.00 | Thursday 26 February 2026 | Online No NEET solution? Tackling youth unemployment in the UK The number of young people not earning or learning remains stubbornly close to one million. The Government has responded to the immediate challenge by announcing an £820 million youth participation package, including an investigation into the root causes of youth unemployment. Join the Work Foundation and a panel of experts to review the latest figures on young people aged 16 to 24 years not in education, employment or training, and what it means for young people, local communities, the labour market and the Government. > Ben Harrison, Director, Work Foundation at Lancaster University > Susannah Hardyman, Chief Executive, Impetus > Shuab Gamote, Researcher and Advisor > Chris Smyth, Public Policy Editor, The Financial Times Work Foundation logo
Join us between 14.00-15.00 today to review the latest ONS figures on young people aged 16 to 24 years not in education, employment or training, and what it means for young people, local communities, the labour market and the Government. (2/2) eventbrite.co.uk/e/work-matte... @impetus.org.uk
Ben Harrison Director, Work Foundation at Lancaster University One in eight young people not earning or learning “Today’s data is a stark reminder of the magnitude of the challenge facing young people & the Government. One in eight young people aged 16-24 are stuck out of education, employment, or training – with the overall number remaining stubbornly close to one million. “Disabled young people are hit particularly hard, and there is a considerable risk that more young people will slip into long-term worklessness unless Government acts to address the causes of this rise. Work Foundation logo | Lancaster University logo
Comment from our Director, @benrharrison.bsky.social, on the latest release from the ONS showing that 957,000 young people were not in education, employment or training figures in Oct-Dec 2025. (1/2)
The full statement is available at: www.lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat...
We’re hiring! At a time of big changes in the world of work, we are looking for a talented individual who shares our goal to tackle structural inequalities in the UK labour market. Location: Policy Advisor (maternity cover) Salary: £39,906 to £46,049 (+ £3,506 London Weighting, pro-rata) Benefits: USS pension & generous holidays Hybrid - London or Lancaster Contract: 10-month fixed-term contract (maternity cover) Deadline: 23.59, Thursday 5 March 2026
JOB: Are you ambitious to create research and evidence that helps to improve working lives in the UK?
We’re hiring a Policy Advisor on a 10-month fixed-term maternity cover contract. Find out more: www.lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat...
Deadline: 23.59, Thursday 5 March 2026
WORK MATTERS 2026 14.00 - 15.00 | Thursday 26 February 2026 | Online No NEET solution? Tackling youth unemployment in the UK The number of young people not earning or learning remains stubbornly close to one million. The Government has responded to the immediate challenge by announcing an £820 million youth participation package, including an investigation into the root causes of youth unemployment. Join the Work Foundation and a panel of experts to review the latest figures on young people aged 16 to 24 years not in education, employment or training, and what it means for young people, local communities, the labour market and the Government. > Ben Harrison, Director, Work Foundation at Lancaster University > Susannah Hardyman, Chief Executive, Impetus > Shuab Gamote, Researcher and Advisor > Chris Smyth, Public Policy Editor, The Financial Times Work Foundation logo
EVENT: Join us tomorrow between 14.00-15.00 to review the latest ONS figures on young people aged 16 to 24 years not in education, employment or training, and what it means for young people, local communities, the labour market and the Government. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/work-matte...
“To Get Britain Working, Ministers must prioritise a twin focus on rapidly expanding tailored employment support and ensuring those returning to work are able to access secure, and well-paid jobs across the country.” (6/6)
“Vacancies remain subdued at 726,000, despite a slight uptick on the quarter. The Government clearly recognises the need to provide more support to help people back into work but many initiatives – such as jobs on wheels and youth guarantees – remain in pilot phases. (5/6)
“Youth unemployment is now at 14.0%, the highest rate for five years. This is particularly concerning as the number of 18-24 year olds out of work has jumped by 80,000 on the year to 575,000. More young people are actively seeking work, but too many are struggling to secure it.
“While overall employment appears broadly stable and the rise in redundancies has slowed, the pain is not evenly spread. Young people, disabled people and men are bearing the brunt of the rise. (3/6)
“Unemployment has climbed to 5.2%, its highest level in nearly five years. The number of people out of work has risen by 331,000 over the past year to 1.88 million — with data suggesting the UK has the fastest annual increase in unemployment in the G7. (2/6)
Comment from our Director, @BRHarrison_, on the latest release from @ONS:
⬇️“Today’s figures show a weakening and uneven labour market, with more people looking for work and with young people particularly impacted. (1/6)
www.ons.gov.uk/employmentan...?
WORK MATTERS 2026 11.00 - 12.00 | Tuesday 24 March 2026 | Online Is the rise in remote and hybrid work in the UK now under threat? Six years on from the first Covid-19 lockdown, working from home has become a mainstream practice, with many employers moving beyond initial emergency measures and actively redesign roles to support flexible working. But more employers are calling staff ‘back to the office’, with a sharp fall in remote vacancies in recent months. Join the Work Foundation at Lancaster University and an expert panel to explore the future of remote and hybrid work in the UK, and how it can be utilised to improve access to secure and flexible employment in the years ahead. Speakers > Baroness Needham -Scott (Chair, Lords Homebased Working Committee) > Dr Paula Holland (Senior Lecturer, Lancaster University) > Ben Harrison, Director, Work Foundation at Lancaster University. Work Foundation logo
ONLINE EVENT: On 24 March, join us and an expert panel to explore the future of remote and hybrid work in the UK, and how it can be utilised to improve access to secure and flexible employment in the years ahead.
Sign-up: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/is-the-ris...
Should we be worried about rising unemployment in London?
@benbrodydc.bsky.social (Director, @workfoundation.bsky.social) reflects on what’s driving these trends in @bigissue.com, and why London’s experience may offer an early warning for the rest of the UK. www.bigissue.com/opinion/unem...
WORK MATTERS 2026 14.00 - 15.00 | Thursday 26 February 2026 | Online No NEET solution? Tackling youth unemployment in the UK The number of young people not earning or learning remains stubbornly close to one million. The Government has responded to the immediate challenge by announcing an £820 million youth participation package, including an investigation into the root causes of youth unemployment. Join the Work Foundation and a panel of experts to review the latest figures on young people aged 16 to 24 years not in education, employment or training, and what it means for young people, local communities, the labour market and the Government. > Ben Harrison, Director, Work Foundation at Lancaster University > Sharon Thompson, Deputy Mayor of the West Midlands > Susannah Hardyman, Chief Executive, Impetus > Shuab Gamote, Researcher and Advisor > Chris Smyth, Public Policy Editor, The Financial Times Work Foundation logo
EVENT: Join us at 14.00-15.00 on Thurs 26 Feb to review the latest ONS figures on young people aged 16 to 24 years not in education, employment or training, and what it means for young people, local communities, the labour market and the Government.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/work-matte...
The report welcomes the Labour Government’s steps to tackle child poverty but calls for a more holistic strategy that includes expanding access to affordable housing and setting the Universal Credit basic rate at a level where people can afford life’s essentials.(5/5)
Future prospects of reducing poverty rates remain uncertain with 4.1 million households currently going without essentials and 3.2 million households having to cut back on food or go hungry. (4/5)
Some groups are at a greater risk of being in poverty. Over half (53%) of people in Bangladeshi households and nearly half (49%) of people in Pakistani households are in poverty while 28% of disabled people are in poverty, relative to 20% of non-disabled people. (3/5)
Image of chat showing that since 1994/5 the percentage of people in poverty who are in very deep poverty has increased, and now makes almost half of people in poverty
However,deep poverty has increased to 6.8 million. Almost half of the people in poverty are in deep poverty, with an income far below the poverty line. This is the highest absolute number of people and highest proportion since records began, going back to 1994/1995. (2/5)
Front page of Joseph Rowntree Foundation report into UK Poverty 2026: The essential guide to understanding poverty in the UK.
Our #ResearchOfTheMonth goes to @jrf-uk.bsky.social for their annual UK Poverty report.
They find that since 2010/2011, the poverty rate has remained stable at 21%. In fact, since 2005 there has been no progress in reducing poverty. (1/5)
www.jrf.org.uk/uk-poverty-2...
How can employers prepare for major employment reforms in 2026?
On Tuesday, we hosted an online event exploring the key Employment Rights Act changes due in 2026 with leaders from business, law and unions. Find out how organisations and workers can prepare: www.lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat...
14.00 - 15.15 | Tuesday 27 January 2026 | Online event Getting ready for employment reforms in 2026 The Employment Rights Act represents the largest change to employment legislation in a generation. The Act, which became law in late 2025, features a host of significant legislative reforms designed to improve access to secure and high-quality work. The Government has set-out a two-year implementation roadmap for the Act. Join the Work Foundation at Lancaster University and a panel of experts to explore the key changes coming up in 2026 and how workers and employers can prepare. The event will be chaired by Ben Harrison (Director, Work Foundation) and we're delighted to have an outstanding panel of speakers including: ▪ Claire Burns MCIPD (People Director, Abraham Moon & Sons) ▪ Laura McFadyen (Partner, Stephens Scown LLP) ▪ Sampson Low (Head of Policy, UNISON) ▪ George Williams (Research and Policy Analyst, Work Foundation) ▪ Alice Martin (Head of Research, Work Foundation).
Final call! Join us between 14.00-15.15 on Tuesday 27 January to explore the key Employment Rights Act changes coming up in 2026.
Register for free: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/getting-re...
ONLINE EVENT | 18.00-19.00, Thurs 29 January
Our Principal Analyst, @rebeccaflorisson.bsky.social, is speaking about the realities of low pay, unpredictable hours and poor job protections at a @uniofbathipr.bsky.social event.
Register here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rebecca-fl...
Woman at computer with hand on head
Under the current system for workers, receiving flexibility or compassion during grief is left to chance. As part of the Employment Rights Act, Government plans to strengthen access to bereavement leave.
Jess Redmond asks if proposals go far enough: www.lancaster.ac.uk/work-foundat...
