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Naomi Clayton

@naomiclayton.bsky.social
318 followers 163 following 50 posts

Chief Executive at Institute for Employment Studies. Formerly Learning and Work Institute, What Works Centre for Local Economic Growth, Centre for Cities and Work Foundation.

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Reposted by Naomi Clayton
Institute for Employment Studies @employmentstudies.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
In a new blog focused on today's Labour Market Statistics, IES Chief Executive @naomiclayton.bsky.social unravels the job data and highlights the plight of 1.3 million young people not in work or full-time education. Read: bit.ly/3SKUFBh
“Young people are bearing the brunt of a weak labour market. Around 1.3 million 16- to 24-year-olds are now not in work or full-time education, highlighting the urgent need for effective support to prevent long-term scarring effects. The share of 16- to 24-year-olds who are not in employment or full-time education remains close to a 13-year high, following increases in unemployment and economic inactivity.”
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Reposted by Naomi Clayton
The Institute for Fiscal Studies @theifs.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
'We know that good work is good for your health. Bad work can be as bad as not being in work at all.' 🎙️ @naomiclayton.bsky.social joins us on the podcast to discuss what good work really means, who gets access to good jobs, and what government can do to improve the quality of work in the UK.
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Reposted by Naomi Clayton
Resolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 29/06/2026
And that's a wrap! You can watch back our event Firm handshakes: How can businesses be incentivised to take on more young people? with Alan Milburn @naomiclayton.bsky.social CBI President Cressida Hogg Lindsay Judge & @ruthcurtice.bsky.social here www.resolutionfoundation.org/events/firm-...
resolutionfoundation.org
Firm handshakes • Resolution Foundation
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 complex, but at least one of the w...
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Reposted by Naomi Clayton
Institute for Employment Studies @employmentstudies.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
IES's @naomiclayton.bsky.social joined Helen Miller & Jonathan Cribb on the @theifs.bsky.social podcast on the inequality of good jobs. They discussed what good work means, the importance of progression & training, AI & the future of jobs & what government can do to help. ifs.org.uk/articles/ine...
ifs.org.uk
The inequality of 'good jobs' | Institute for Fiscal Studies
What makes a good job? This episode explores pay, progression, flexibility and why access to better work is unequal.
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Reposted by Naomi Clayton
Institute for Employment Studies @employmentstudies.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Comment from IES Chief Executive @naomiclayton.bsky.social on the just-announced monthly Labour Market Statistics from the Office for National Statistics.
"Despite a modest fall in unemployment, the UK labour market remains weak overall. Economic inactivity has risen, with fewer people actively looking for work. Following early signs of stabilisation, vacancies and payrolled employment have fallen, with early estimates indicating a drop of over 14,000 retail jobs. Real pay growth has continued to slow, with annual regular pay growth up just 0.2% in December 2025 to February 2026, meaning wages are barely keeping pace with living costs. Amid heightened global instability and economic uncertainty, it's vital that the government works with employers to rebuild momentum in the labour market and support people back into work."
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Reposted by Naomi Clayton
Institute for Employment Studies @employmentstudies.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Comment from IES Chief Executive @naomiclayton.bsky.social on the just-announced Labour Market Statistics from Office for National Statistics.
“Unemployment remains at a five-year high as more people are looking for work. Payrolled employment continues to fall in retail and hospitality, alongside other parts of the private sector, while real pay growth is slowing. Youth unemployment is at its highest rate in 10 years and continues to rise among 18-24-year-olds. The new hiring incentives announced by government this week to encourage employers to recruit young people can have a positive impact if well-designed. However, given the scale and urgency of the challenge, more must be done to address wider challenges and boost jobs, while ensuring young people across the country have access to the support they need."
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Reposted by Naomi Clayton
Institute for Employment Studies @employmentstudies.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
Comment from IES Chief Executive @naomiclayton.bsky.social on the just-announced measures by Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden on the major new employment drive to create 200,000 new jobs and apprenticeships for young people.
"We welcome the new measures and much-needed investment to ensure that every young person can access meaningful employment opportunities. Well-designed wage subsidies can have a positive impact on youth employment, particularly when they are targeted and straightforward for employers to use. The expansion of apprenticeships for young people is also crucial: apprenticeships are a proven route for young people to build skills and move into good careers. To make the most of this investment, it is essential that the incentives are supported by clear and consistent messaging, strong employer engagement, the right wraparound support for young people, especially those facing the greatest barriers, and effective cross departmental coordination. We look forward to working with government and employers to ensure these measures translate into high quality opportunities that change young people’s lives for the better."
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Reposted by Naomi Clayton
Institute for Employment Studies @employmentstudies.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
Comment from IES Chief Executive @naomiclayton.bsky.social on the Spring Statement, announced by government earlier today.
"Today’s Spring Statement underlines just how urgent it is to step up reform of our employment support system.  With revised unemployment figures expected to peak at over 5.3% this year, the UK is facing clear and persistent labour market challenges that demand a more ambitious and inclusive approach to helping people into work. The picture for young people is even more concerning, with youth unemployment hitting its highest rate in a decade. We need government to implement bold reforms that match the scale of the challenge, and a renewed commitment from government to ensuring every young person has the opportunity, support and pathways they need to thrive in work. The urgency could not be clearer.”
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Reposted by Naomi Clayton
Institute for Employment Studies @employmentstudies.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Comment from IES Chief Executive @naomiclayton.bsky.social on the just-announced Labour Market Statistics.
"Unemployment is edging upwards as hiring remains weak. Payrolled employment continues to fall, though at a slower rate, and vacancies appear to have stabilised. Rising unemployment and weak hiring means that there are more people looking for fewer jobs and, outside the pandemic, the unemployment-to-vacancy ratio is the highest in 10 years. Young people are being hit hardest, with youth unemployment at its highest in a decade. The government needs to work with employers to boost jobs and encourage hiring, while expanding support to help people find work."
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Reposted by Naomi Clayton
Institute for Employment Studies @employmentstudies.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
Comment from IES Chief Executive @naomiclayton.bsky.social on the just-announced Labour Market Statistics from ONS.
"The labour market is continuing to weaken. Payrolled employment has fallen by over 90,000 in the last quarter – the largest fall outside the pandemic. Vacancies appear to have stabilised but remain well below the pre-pandemic peak. Unemployment remains at the highest rate in four years at 5.1% and there are still 2.1 million people who are outside the labour force who want to work.
"Increases in unemployment have been largely driven by young people who have been affected by the slowdown in hiring, and the youth unemployment rate is the highest it’s been in 10 years, including the pandemic. The government needs to work with employers to create more job and training opportunities for young people, encourage hiring and to increase support so they can access those opportunities."
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Naomi Clayton @naomiclayton.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
The labour market continues to weaken, and unemployment has risen as more people are looking for fewer jobs. The unemployment rate has risen to 5.1% - the highest in the last four years and not far off the pandemic peak of 5.3%. Outside the pandemic period, this is the highest rate since 2016.
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Reposted by Naomi Clayton
Institute for Employment Studies @employmentstudies.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
Comment from IES Chief Executive @naomiclayton.bsky.social on the just-announced Labour Market Statistics from ONS.
"The labour market continues to weaken. The unemployment rate has increased to the highest rate in four years and unemployment rates for men match peak rates during the pandemic. Payrolled employment has fallen by nearly 90,000 over the last quarter – the largest fall since the pandemic. Vacancy numbers have decreased slightly, which means more people are competing for fewer jobs. We need to boost employer confidence and expand support for the 2.1 million people who are outside the labour force but want to work. The youth unemployment rate is now higher than it was during the pandemic and is at its highest rate in ten years. As the government reviews the causes of record unemployment and inactivity among 16-24 year-olds, it needs to continue to build on the Youth Guarantee to ensure that all young people can access the support they need."
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Naomi Clayton @naomiclayton.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
A welcome set of announcements over the weekend on the government's Youth Guarantee, helping to build a more comprehensive offer for young people www.gov.uk/government/n...
gov.uk
Almost a million young people to benefit from expanded support, new training, and work experience opportunities
Almost one million young people will benefit from learning or employment opportunities as a result of a major £820 million funding package.
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Institute for Employment Studies @employmentstudies.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
In our final ReAct briefing paper of the Autumn series, we focus on the ReAct collaboration itself and what value this has brought to participating organisations and the people they support. Read: bit.ly/4ovzixm
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Institute for Employment Studies @employmentstudies.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
Comment from IES Chief Executive @naomiclayton.bsky.social on today's Autumn Budget.
"Today’s Budget included a welcome focus on youth employment with investment in the Youth Guarantee, including the Jobs Guarantee scheme for 18-21-year-olds, and more support for SMEs to take on apprentices under the age of 25. Nearly a million 16-24-year-olds – 1 in 8 young people – are out of work and not in any form of education or training, and the government should aim to ensure that every young person can access the support they need. Meanwhile, the OBR assesses that the government’s new Pathways to Work support offer for disabled people and people with health conditions will only have a modest impact on employment, and there appears to be no plans to fast track this investment. With unemployment rising and health-related economic inactivity at a record high, it is critical that the government sets out more details on its plans, accelerates progress where it can and scales up what works."
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Reposted by Naomi Clayton
Institute for Employment Studies @employmentstudies.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
In a new blog ahead of Wednesday’s Autumn Statement, @naomiclayton.bsky.social calls for the Budget to focus on three key areas for action: youth employment, health and disability support and employer engagement. Read: bit.ly/4pa3pLS
To raise living standards, the government should fast-track supply side reforms that support more people into work and to remain in work, create skills and reskilling pathways and boost economic growth.
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Reposted by Naomi Clayton
Institute for Employment Studies @employmentstudies.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
📢New blog! IES' @naomiclayton.bsky.social reflects on the Keep Britain Working Review, considering how the recommendations can be best implemented by both government and employers, when taking a 'whole-system' approach and embedding good work as a foundation for health. Read: bit.ly/4qRgGdG
“A cross-government approach is needed to reduce work-related illness and absence. While we should build on the wealth of good practice and foster a ‘race to the top’, we must also raise the floor, ensuring that all work meets minimum standards that support health, productivity and retention. Poor quality work, including insecure contracts, excessive or irregular hours, high demands with low control, and weak workplace relationships, can be as damaging to health as unemployment. Work-related ill-health is also a significant problem in public service sectors, including health and teaching, where the government has greater leverage to be able to influence working conditions.”
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Reposted by Naomi Clayton
Andrew Phillips @andrewphillips.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
How can we support better, longer careers in the context of a rising State Pension age? Come and discuss this with us at our event in London on 13 November with our speakers @csfoot.bsky.social, @naomiclayton.bsky.social, Sarah Ellis and Dr Suzy Morrissey: events.standardlife.co.uk/ExtendingThe...
events.standardlife.co.uk
Extending the journey: Work and careers in an era of a rising State Pension age
Next year, the first group of people will see their State Pension age rise from 66 to 67 – the latest in a series of rises since 2010. Over that time, the employment rate of people in their 60s has in...
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Reposted by Naomi Clayton
Institute for Employment Studies @employmentstudies.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
📢 New ReAct research highlights what works in strategic partnerships and how collaboration can bring benefits to operational delivery and participant experience, resulting in a more comprehensive support offer and better tailoring of support for participants. Read our findings: bit.ly/47vtcIH
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Reposted by Naomi Clayton
John Rentoul @rentouljohn.bsky.social · 06/09/2025
The next phase of the reshuffle
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Institute for Employment Studies @employmentstudies.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
Its now only just over a month until our Annual Conference! We will be discussing how organisations can effectively improve productivity through people, and our speakers include some of the UK's leading employment specialists & HR thinkers. Register here: bit.ly/41jBNua
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Reposted by Naomi Clayton
Institute for Employment Studies @employmentstudies.bsky.social · 12/08/2025
Comment from IES' @naomiclayton.bsky.social on the just-announced Labour Market Statistics from ONS. Our briefing note will be available later today, sign up here to receive via email: employment-studies.co.uk/news-press/i...
"The labour market continues to cool as employers respond to cost pressures and global uncertainty. Payroll numbers are falling, pay growth is slowing and vacancies are now well below pre-pandemic levels, as employers cut back hiring. Hospitality and retail sectors have seen the largest declines in employment and among the fastest pay growth - pointing to the combined impacts of the rise in employers’ National Insurance contributions and the increase in the National Living Wage. While the headline data remains uncertain, these trends underline the urgent need to boost the economy and support job creation."
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Naomi Clayton @naomiclayton.bsky.social · 12/08/2025
Latest labour market stats: The labour market continues to cool as employers respond to cost pressures and global uncertainty. Payroll numbers are falling, pay growth is slowing and vacancies are now well below pre-pandemic levels, as employers cut back hiring.
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Justin Myers @theguyliner.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
20 years ago today, a bomb exploded on a bus at Tavistock Square. I was there. This is what happened:
theguyliner.com
The Seventh
I am not supposed to be here. That’s almost all I can think as I run as fast as I can away from Tavistock Square. It is 7 July 2005. I am not supposed to be here. I am supposed to be at work. I nev…
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Charlotte Morgan @cornwallchar.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
This is quite a story. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
London bombings: I survived 7/7, but still see the suicide bomber everywhere
Dan Biddle recalls a bright, white flash as a bomb was detonated just metres away from him on a London Underground train.
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Gavin Kelly @gavin-kelly.bsky.social · 30/06/2025
Surprised & saddened to see this happen to Abrdn Financial Fairness Trust - they have supported vital work on debt, pensions, tax & much else. www.thetimes.com/article/7d69...
thetimes.com
Aberdeen under fire after ousting financial charity’s board
The chief executive and all ten independent trustees of Abrdn Financial Fairness Trust were removed in shift away from funding research
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Andrew Sparrow @andrewsparrowgdn.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
Full text of Liz Kendall's letter to Labour MPs confirming welfare bill U-turn - www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...
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Institute for Employment Studies @employmentstudies.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
To mark National Employability Day 2025, Rosie Gloster and Jonny Buzzeo consider the government's Get Britian Working plans, and detail the key lessons from previous efforts to improve employment rates which can be used most effectively to inform this initiative: bit.ly/3G1Lhmh
Quote from Rosie Glaster, "Organisations asked to Get Britain Working should embed employment outcomes across system partners, fund the creation of partnerships and networks to share effective practice, and work to align and build trust on the consistency of service user experience. This will require ongoing investment, not just to establish these systems, but also to adapt and sustain them."
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Louise Murphy @louisemurphy.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill has been released. Here's a short thread highlighting a few things we learned: (1) 200,000 people who are in the 'Severe Conditions Criteria group' will be protected from the changes to UC-H.
Screenshot of text:

As part of our commitment to protect the most vulnerable and severely disabled, peace of mind will also be given to 200,000 individuals in the Severe Conditions Criteria group - individuals with the most severe and permanently disabling conditions who will never be able to work - as they will not be called for reassessed for Universal Credit (UC) under new legislation.

Those protected from reassessment will also be paid the higher rate of UC health top up of £97 per week, so they can live with dignity and security, knowing the reforms to the welfare system mean it will always be there to support them.
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Institute for Employment Studies @employmentstudies.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
This new research for the Care Quality Commission identified that the majority of staff surveyed had experienced or seen unfair treatment at work. This report covers the details of how and why this is happening, and the most effective ways to make workplaces fairer. Read: bit.ly/4e4KQnR
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Naomi Clayton @naomiclayton.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
With 1 in 8 young people NEET and 2.8m people out of work due to LT health conditions, how will today's #SpendingReview match up to the scale of the challenge and the government's 80% employment rate ambition? Lot of Qs on the DWP settlement and what next on Get Britain working reforms
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Naomi Clayton @naomiclayton.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Early start this morning to host a day of discussions with key stakeholders in West Midlands on the local Get Britain Working plan #GetWestMidlandsWorking
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Naomi Clayton @naomiclayton.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Great to be at Communities that Work parliamentary reception last night w/ @allymcgovern.bsky.social, where JobsPlus was centre stage. It’s an innovative, community-led approach to employment support, delivered through social housing, that’s being tested across 10 sites in England.
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Institute for Employment Studies @employmentstudies.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
Comment from IES' Seemanti Ghosh on the just-announced Labour Market Statistics from the Office for National Statistics. Our briefing note will be available later today, please sign up here to receive via email: www.employment-studies.co.uk/news-press/i...
"The first labour market data since the rise in National Insurance contributions and the increase in the National Living Wage indicates that employers continue to show caution in workforce investment. This is evidenced by another drop in job vacancies now at a new low, and a further decline in payrolled employees. Against the backdrop of a cooling labour market and shifting policy environment, the economic outlook for the UK remains uncertain. The underlying trends reveal a fragile environment, where hiring confidence is weak and workforce planning is marked by hesitancy.”
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Naomi Clayton @naomiclayton.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
First labour market stats since NIC and min wage increases in April. Growth in employee jobs continues to slow and March/April marks first fall (-0.2% and 0.3%) since April 2021. Largest fall in the hospitality sector.
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Reposted by Naomi Clayton
Institute for Employment Studies @employmentstudies.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
Comment from IES' Seemanti Ghosh on the just-announced Labour Market Statistics from the Office for National Statistics. Our briefing note will be available later today, sign up here to receive via email: employment-studies.co.uk/news-press/i...
“Vacancies have fallen by a further 26,000 on the quarter and hit a new low, payroll employees have decreased by 8,000 on the month, and unemployment remains relatively flat. Against the backdrop of a slowing economy, marked by weaker productivity growth and dampened business sentiment, and with nearly one in five working-age adults out of the labour force, rolling out the government’s industrial strategy cannot come soon enough."
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Naomi Clayton @naomiclayton.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
Unemployment remains relatively flat, growth in payrolled employees has slowed and vacancies continue to fall (to pre-pandemic rates). Hospitality & retail have seen the largest falls in vacancies and payrolled employees - both sectors likely to be impacted NICs and min wage increases in April.
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Naomi Clayton @naomiclayton.bsky.social · 09/04/2025
Trump's trade war has weakened the UK's growth prospects, which may feed through to higher unemployment. And some places will be hit harder than others e.g. a relatively large share of exports from the West Midlands, Wales, South West are goods exports to the US. www.ft.com/content/3a2f...
ft.com
UK growth forecasts hit by Trump’s tariffs
Economists factor in falling confidence and investment leading to job losses and a probable cut in borrowing costs
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Naomi Clayton @naomiclayton.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
Great to hear @duncanbhr.bsky.social on Radio 4 this morning talking about two decades of lost pay growth in the UK. While the minimum wage is a good news story and means lots of low wage workers are better off, real average wages have stagnated since the 2008 financial crisis.
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Naomi Clayton @naomiclayton.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
“The real risk is…lots of people are pushed into poverty with all the negative consequences of being in poverty, it doesn’t help them get into work” @claremoriarty.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
theguardian.com
Benefit cuts will push more people into poverty, warns Citizens Advice boss
Exclusive: Clare Moriarty hits out at Labour’s plan as ‘short-term action’ with ‘long-term consequences’ in rare intervention
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Naomi Clayton @naomiclayton.bsky.social · 16/03/2025
Nice article on the context and options ahead of Tuesday’s green paper, inc @learnworkuk.bsky.social recommendations on reducing the risk of trying work. What went wrong with the UK’s welfare system? on.ft.com/4i85hBD
on.ft.com
What went wrong with the UK’s welfare system?
Factors behind sharp rise in incapacity and disability benefits are complex and at times counterintuitive
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Naomi Clayton @naomiclayton.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
Our other new report out today to coincide with the #HealthierWorkingLives Commission final report launch. The report looks at what works to 1) protect people's health and well-being at work 2) support people stay in work 3) support people back into sustainable employment.
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Naomi Clayton @naomiclayton.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
Our new report on geographical inequalities in work and health outcomes 👇 It shows wide and persistent inequalities - and highlights how important an effective welfare system is to some communities in particular and how unevenly £6bn of cuts might be felt.
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Naomi Clayton @naomiclayton.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
Sir Stephen Timms setting out what we can expect in the green paper on benefits reform later this month inc ensuring focus on proper, tailored support; restoring trust; and making sure it’s financially sustainable. And reiterating links to the Make Work Pay plans and the Mayfield review
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Learning and Work Institute @learnworkuk.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
“If you invested an extra £250m a year in employment programs ... that should pay off ultimately in saving the taxpayer about £4bn pounds a year in a decade’s time.” In @telegraphnews.bsky.social, @stephenevans.bsky.social calls for greater investment in employment support. @eirnolsoe.bsky.social
telegraph.co.uk
Welcome to the frontline of Labour’s battle to get sick Britain back to work
A promising new pilot scheme could serve as a blueprint for tackling long-term unemployment
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Naomi Clayton @naomiclayton.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
Great to be at the launch of the @healthfoundation.bsky.social Commission for Healthier Working Lives - report features lots of refs to @learnworkuk.bsky.social @employmentstudies.bsky.social reports as core research partners www.health.org.uk/reports-and-...
health.org.uk
Action for healthier working lives
The Commission for Healthier Working Lives’ final report sets out the need for a new approach to work and health, outlining seven key recommendations to lay the foundation for sustained long-term chan...
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Tom Clark @tom-clark.bsky.social · 03/03/2025
Want to work in a thinktank? But worried it's only for "usual suspects"? Think again -- and sign up for webinar--this Weds 330-6pm--from @resfoundation.bsky.social & loads of other top tanks all looking for hidden talent www.resolutionfoundation.org/events/worki...
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Learning and Work Institute @learnworkuk.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
Don't forget to register for @resfoundation.bsky.social's webinar on working in the think tank sector! 📅 Wednesday 5 March ⏰ 3.30 - 6.00pm 🎙️ Featuring L&W's Amy Solanki
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What Works Growth @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social · 13/02/2025
EVENT | Economic inactivity: Thinking through local responses Join us to hear from @naomiclayton.bsky.social , Director of Policy and Research at @learnworkuk.bsky.social and our Deputy Director, Victoria Sutherland. Book your place for 26th February 👇 loom.ly/S7zoVCk
loom.ly
Economic inactivity: Thinking through local responses - 26th February 2025 - What Works Growth
09:15 – 10:00 Wednesday 26th February More people in work, and higher productivity from those workers, will – all else equal – increase local economic growth.  This matters to places—not only in terms...
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Naomi Clayton @naomiclayton.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
This a fantastic job, working with a brilliant team! Happy to chat if you’re interested in finding out more about the role
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