Comment Zero to hero? Three decisions, millions of workers, one chance to get it right 24 August 2026 by Charlie McCurdy Charlie McCurdy looks at the Government’s plan to end exploitative zero-hours contracts Right now, workers on variable-hours contracts shoulder the risks of unpredictable hours (and income), even as their employers benefit. But,… Continue Reading
Events Re-industrialising the North? Net zeroing in on Aberdeen and Grimsby UpcomingThursday 3 September 2026 The UK’s net zero transition will have a major impact on our industrial mix and labour market. While the majority of new ‘green jobs' are likely to be spread thinly… Continue Reading
Publications All by myself Exploring the change in time spent alone over the last decade 12 August 2026 by Parth Pandya Time spent alone has risen up the public and political agenda, reflected in debates about the ‘relationship recession’, social media use and more working from home. [1] But these underlying… Continue Reading
Publications Take a chance on me How can employers be incentivised to employ NEETs? 29 June 2026 by Nye Cominetti and Julia Diniz and Lindsay Judge and Imogen Stone and Greg Thwaites As the number of UK 16-24-year-olds not in education, employment or training (NEET) tipped the 1 million mark in the first quarter of 2026, we assess how employers can best… Continue Reading
Events Firm handshakes How can businesses be incentivised to take on more young people? Monday 29 June 2026 For the first time in over a decade, over a million young people across Britain are not in employment, education or training. The causes of the crisis are myriad and… Continue Reading
Comment The labour market is changing – and not obviously for the better June's labour market release tells a story of a weak labour market and show the nature of work is quietly shifting 18 June 2026 by Julia Diniz This was first published on our Substack. The latest labour market release by the ONS (18 June 2026) was a mixed bag. The headline numbers tell a story of a… Continue Reading
Comment We can’t overlook education and benefits if we want to reduce the NEET rate Focusing too much on work to reduce the rising NEET rate risks overlooking two key areas 9 June 2026 by Alex Clegg This article was initially published on our Substack. The Interim Report of the Milburn Review made a stark warning about a ‘lost generation’ of young people. It was backed by two sets of… Continue Reading
Publications Take it or leave it Workers’ experiences of power in low-paid and precarious sectors 28 May 2026 by Melanie Simms and Hannah Slaughter This briefing note examines workers’ experience of their power in low-paying sectors of the economy, including how much say they have over their pay and conditions, and what options they… Continue Reading
