Just been reading the (good) new CSJ report on employment/ skills devo arguing that we 'go Dutch' by devolving fully to local authority level. Not a million miles from where we got to in our Commission, but a couple of issues with the comparison 1/ www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/library/goin...

Going Dutch - Summary

The new Government has put economic growth at the top of its agenda. After almost two decades of a sluggish economy, the Prime Minister has made it his number one priority. However…

Some really good (worrying) analysis here from @theifs.bsky.socialifs.org.uk/publications... Big story is how out-of-line UK is from rest of world, but most interesting bit for me is Table 1 on claims by time since last worked Half of *new claims* last worked 5+ years ago or never worked: 1/

NEW: Health-related benefit claims have risen substantially across England and Wales, with increases in mental health claims across all ages. There is little evidence of similar trends in other countries. THREAD on our new report, funded by @jrf-uk.bsky.social and Health Foundation: [1/7]

Was great to launch the final report of our Commission on the Future of Employment Support today www.employment-studies.co.uk/resource/wor... Two years' work and huge amount of input and engagement with govt, service users, staff, employers, etc. THANK YOU to everyone who has been involved! Thread..

IES and abrdn Financial Fairness Trust launched the final report for the Commission on the Future of Employment Support in Westminster today and Alison McGovern delivered the keynote speech. The report sets out proposals for far-reaching reforms to improve growth and living standards: bit.ly/4evMb6d

This could have been written yesterday says @wilsontony.bsky.social - yup!

We're launching the final report of our Commission on Future of Employment Support on Wednesday, and delighted to be joined by @allymcgovern.bsky.social@andrewcities.bsky.social@pollardtom.bsky.socialbit.ly/commission-l...

Pleased to say that LSE's Centre for Economic Performance is now on Bluesky @cep-lse.bsky.social#econsky

The HMRC flows data shows new employments (job starts from any source) still over 600,000 a month, if a little lower than pre-pandemic. Job leavers (to anything, including other jobs), within normal range. Both a little down on 2019. HMRC flows get affected by tax year end in April, so wobble there.

First post on Bluesky and it's about jobs data... Just a quick one as I'm holiday(!) but headlines: - Employment still very weak - LFS is volatile so don't read too much into small changes - Earnings, vacancies look fairly strong to me - not sure about 'cooling' - Lots to do but demand is there 1/