#LMI - This @LearnWorkUK briefing sets out analysis of @ONS #LabourMarket statistics released this morning (15 September 2020).  The LABOUR MARKET STATISTICS – September 2020 data covers the number of people claiming benefits up to August 2020, and employment and unemployment figures for the period May to July 2020.

Evidence shows government-subsidised wage schemes can be successful in times of economic crisis  The launch of the government’s £2 billion Kickstart programme today (2 Sept) is urgently needed and welcome. With numbers of unemployed young people already soaring, and many more due to lose their jobs when the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme comes to an end in October, preventing a further rise in youth unemployment must be a top priority for government.

Good GCSEs in English and maths are essential for young people’s progression in learning and into work, so last week’s vigorous debate on how this year’s grades should be awarded simply reflects what is at stake. Yet GCSEs are not just high stakes for young people. For adults returning to learn, GCSEs are crucial too, with 55,000 adults in England taking GCSEs in English and maths in 2018/19 alone.

The Coronavirus crisis has led to 47,770 fewer #apprenticeship opportunities, with opportunities for young people being hit hardest  New data shows that apprenticeship starts have fallen by 47% compared to last year. There were just 53,530 apprenticeship starts between 23 March and 31 July this year, compared to 101,300 over the same period last year.

COVID-19 risks triggering long term unemployment crisis for older workers  A new report from Ageing Better and the Learning and Work Institute shows that the number of older workers on unemployment benefits has doubled as a result of the pandemic.