IER News & blogs
Dr Sangwoo Lee on the Latest ONS Employment Statistics
The latest UK labour market presents a mixed but increasingly concerning picture as structural pressures intensify. The unemployment rate rose to 4.6% in February-April 2025, up from 4.4% quarterly and marking the highest level since Q1 2021. The employment rate improved modestly to 75.1%, with economic inactivity declining to 21.3%.
Working Futures: Five decades of trying to anticipate changing skills needs
In IER’s latest contribution to the Skills England Research Seminar Series, in June, Prof. Rob Wilson presented ‘Working Futures: Five Decades of Trying to Anticipate Changing Skills Needs.’ In 2025 the IER will have been engaged in skills forecasting for 50 years.
The presentation reflected on the rationale for producing detailed, quantitative, labour market projections and why they are still needed. It drew on five decades of research, focusing on the UK, but also covering work at international level, including Europe and the USA.
IER researchers present GIG-OSH findings at Creating Sustainable Work Conference 2025
IER researchers presented their papers at the Creating Sustainable Work ConferenceLink opens in a new window 2025, held in Stockholm, Sweden from 7-9 May 2025, including findings from a project focusing on the occupational health and safety of gig workers (GIG OSHLink opens in a new window). The conference brought together experts and stakeholders to explore sustainable work practices and their implications for worker wellbeing and policy development.
IER researchers present at the International Apprenticeship conference
IER's Dr Emily EricksonLink opens in a new window and Professor Terence HogarthLink opens in a new window presented research from the Skills2CapabilitiesLink opens in a new window project at the International Network for Innovative Apprenticeship (INAP) conference, held in Hertfordshire on 8-9 May 2025. The conference brought together international experts to explore innovative approaches to apprenticeship systems and policies.
Professor Philip Taylor gave evidence to the 'Preparing for an Ageing Society’ inquiry
IER’s Professor Philip Taylor, along with Professor Lynda Gratton from London Business School and Professor Wendy Loretto from Edinburgh Business School, gave oral evidence this week to the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee inquiry 'Preparing for an Ageing Society'.