Latest Publications

The past decade has brought a decline in the number of school students in England participating in work experience. Far too many have to rely on their parents’ connections to get worthwhile and beneficial experiences. Amidst growing calls for work experience to be accessible for all, in this report we provide a roadmap for rolling out high quality, universal work experience to students in England, in a way that is both equitable and does not compromise quality.

This report examines school leavers and adult learners’ experiences of careers information, advice and guidance (IAG) in England. Drawing on focus groups with school leavers, adult learners and parents, plus discussions with experts and practitioners, it presents new evidence on the way that people engage with IAG. The report makes policy recommendations in order to increase the personalisation, accountability, and accessibility of IAG.

Disrespect causes disruption – Decision-makers and people with influence urgently need to address the deficit in respect between graduates and those without a degree, recognising that the emphasis on high-level...

This report explores young people’s “outlook” in the UK, the role of outlook in shaping life outcomes, and how policy can respond in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This report explores the role that adult education does and could play in improving the labour market outcomes of low-income households. It draws on desk research, quantitative analysis and in-depth interviews with both participants and non-participants in adult education from low-income households, and provides a series of policy considerations

This report explores the employment outcomes of disadvantaged Londoners – focusing on the extent to which disadvantaged Londoners can translate their better-than-average education attainment into successful careers.

This report reviews the evidence on inequality in education across time and observes how little it has changed, and in some cases how the situation has actually worsened over time.

This is the fourth research paper produced by the SMF’s cross-party Commission on Inequality in Education.

This second briefing from the SMF's Commission on Inequality in Education examines whether lower income communities are more likely to have access to less experience and qualified teachers.