Expert Comment

Dr Sangwoo Lee, a Research Fellow at the Warwick Institute for Employment Research, comments on the latest Office for National Statistics employment figures which detail a mixed picture of rising employment and unemployment.

Dr Sangwoo Lee assesses the latest data from the Office for National Statistics on the current state of the UK's labour market, highlighting the unemployment rate, wage growth and easing cost-of-living pressures, regional disparities, and future expectations for 2025.

As the Government publishes its consultation on extending the ‘right to request’ flexible working to the first day of a job, Dr Erika Kispeter of the Institute for Employment Research comments on the impact this could make.

"It is important that people possess skills which are relevant to the labour market. Equally, it is important that people have access to training which will keep their skills up to date. The government clearly recognises these two points with its Lifetime Skills Guarantee and Lifelong Loan Entitlement announced today." Professor Terence Hogarth from the Warwick Institute for Employment Research comments on proposed adult education reforms.

"Having older workers back in jobs is vital both for their sake and the sake of the public purse. Actions are needed on the demand and supply side of the labour market." Professor Chris Warhurst, Director of the Warwick Institute for Employment Research, comments on analysis from the Resolution Foundation revealing a U-shaped crisis with unemployment rising faster for younger and older workers