Our Research
We often work with external partners to conduct research on trends and particular policy issues regarding skills, adult education and employment. Here you will find our research reports across a range of policy topics.
Community Outreach Programme Evaluation 2023-24
Greater London Authority
Updated
ICF Consulting Services Ltd were commissioned to undertake an Evaluation of The Community Outreach Programme. The evaluation aims to assess the outcomes and impacts of The Community Outreach Programme for the 2023-24 period.
The Community Outreach Programme was designed to enhance adult education and skills provision in London, focusing on underserved communities. The programme funded 28 community organisations with an…
The Rising Cost of Living and Access to Adult Education in London
Greater London Authority
Added
In September 2023, Learning and Work was commissioned by the GLA to conduct research into the impact of the rising cost of living on London’s adult education landscape.
GLA data shows that in 2023, 17% of Londoners were ‘struggling financially’, and another 30% were ‘just about managing’. Increased inflation also impacted the cost of doing business for London’s skills providers…
Transferable Skills: Understanding effective delivery through adult skills provision
Updated 6th September 2024
Ask Research were commissioned to undertake research on the delivery of transferable skills through GLA adult skills funding in London.
This research aims to…
Files: PDF (772.75 kB)
Navigating the Transition: A Cost and Skills Analysis for Net Zero Carbon by 2030 in London's Further Education Colleges
Updated 10th September 2024
The Mayor of London is committed to reducing emissions and addressing the climate emergency. As part of this, the Mayor is driving forward an…
Files: PDF (1.01 MB)
Understanding the Impact of Covid-19 on Remote Learning in the FE sector in London
Updated 6th September 2024
Following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, London's adult education sector saw a shift in its approach to teaching and learning, requiring a swift…
Files: PDF (610.38 kB)
Supporting London’s Migrant Communities through AEB - November 2023
514del-00-supporting-londons-migrant-communities-through-aeb-final.pdf
The Greater London Authority (GLA) commissioned the Learning and Work Institute to undertake research to explore the impact of changes to expand the accessibility of the Adult Education Budget (AEB) for refugee and migrant communities. These changes include expanding the three-year residency waiver to include long term migrants; full funding for those earning less than the London Living Wage (LLW); and full funding for AEB-eligible people seeking asylum, where previously they were required to part fund their course.
The report includes recommendations for both the GLA and local delivery partners to provide additional support to the sector and migrant Londoners.
Effective practice in English and maths for adult learners in London
Greater London Authority
Updated
This report, commissioned by the GLA and produced by the Learning and Work Institute, aims to identify barriers to participation and achievement in basic English and maths training (at level 2 and below) and highlight examples of good practice that can be used to support London’s Adult Education Budget (AEB) providers to deliver improved social and economic outcomes for learners.…
2020-21 AEB Evaluation Final Report
Greater London Authority
Added
In May 2022, IFF Research finalised their report covering the evaluation of the Adult Education Budget (AEB) in the 2020-21 Academic Year. The evaluation highlights the Mayor’s successful management of London’s AEB in the first two years of its delegation to London through a period heavily affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
1 file(1.10 MB)
2020-21 AEB Evaluation Final Report.pdf Social prescribing into adult education in London research and toolkit
Greater London Authority
Updated
The Greater London Authority (GLA) commissioned Learning and Work Institute to undertake a mapping exercise of social prescribing to adult education to improve Londoners’ mental health. This report focuses on how social prescribing to adult education works in London, the challenges faced and ways to improve it.
The Learning the way to improve mental health and wellbeing guide accompanies the…
More than just education: A Participatory Action Research project on adult education in London
Greater London Authority
Updated
This is a Toynbee Hall report on adult education commissioned by the Greater London Authority (GLA) to inform the preparation of the Mayor’s Skills Roadmap for London. For this project Toynbee Hall worked with a group of peer researchers who had lived experience of being part of one or more of the priority groups identified by the GLA as having…
1 file(32.58 MB)
More than just education Green Skills Adult Education Provision in London
Greater London Authority
Updated
The GLA commissioned independent research into the green skills which are expected to grow in demand as London moves to net zero. It uses GLA Economics’ Identifying Green Occupations to identify green skills currently being funded through the Adult Education Budget (AEB), along with relevant Level 4 and 5 qualifications and apprenticeship data. The report includes interviews with employers and…
Work Experience and Contextual Admissions at London's Higher Education Institutions
Greater London Authority
Added
The GLA commissioned CFE Research to carry out qualitative research into:
the provision of work experience and employability support for students at London’s Higher Education Institutions, particularly for those from under-represented groups.
the use of contextual admissions to support the access and participation of Londoners from under-represented groups
The research aims to identify good practice, to explore challenges and how…
Higher Level Skills in London
Greater London Authority
Updated
This research, commissioned by the GLA and undertaken by RCU, establishes a stronger evidence base regarding the place and value of higher level skills (courses, apprenticeships, and qualifications at levels 4 and 5) in London.
The research highlighted the small, uneven and unstable nature of provision at Levels 4 and 5. Across the capital, there are few examples of centres…
1 file(6.66 MB)
Higher Level Skills in London Evaluation of the first year of devolved Adult Education Budget in London
Greater London Authority
Updated
The GLA commissioned IFF Research to conduct an independent evaluation of the first year of AEB delivery after delegation of the AEB to the Mayor in 2019. The evaluation findings were “largely very positive”, with IFF concluding that “the delegation of the AEB has worked effectively in its first year, for the majority of providers who receive funding from it“.
1 file(500.40 kB)
Independent evaluation of the first year of AEB delivery London’s post-16 trajectories
Greater London Authority
Updated
As London recovers from the effects of COVID-19, it is vital that we understand the educational pathways for young people and do all we can to support them in their journey.
We know that the negative impact of the pandemic has disproportionately affected young people. At this time, it is vital that young people receive high quality careers education, information,…
Building on success: increasing higher education retention in London
Greater London Authority
Updated
The GLA commissioned the Social Market Foundation to look at the reasons behind the non-continuation (drop-out) rate of undergraduates studying at London’s higher education institutions.
This report seeks to understand the factors affecting non-continuation and transfers at London universities. London’s non-continuation rate is 7.7%, which is much higher than the English average of 6.3%, and students in London are the…
1 file(709.06 kB)
Building on success: increasing higher education retention in London Skills for Londoners Strategy London Post-16 SEND Review
Greater London Authority
Updated
In 2019 the GLA commissioned education specialists Mime to provide an up-to-date picture of supply and demand of Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) provision for 16-25 year olds in London.
The Area Reviews of London’s Further Education provision and the London Adult Community Learning (ACL) Review recommended that more work should be done to determine future SEND demand to…
1 file(2.57 MB)
London Post-16 SEND Review Mapping ESOL Provision in Greater London
Greater London Authority
Updated
In February 2017, Learning and Work was commissioned by the Greater London Authority to undertake a mapping exercise of formal and informal provision of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) in London, and undertake work to identify the language learning needs of resettled Syrian refugees in London.
This work aims to support London boroughs participating in the resettlement of…
1 file(810.33 kB)
Mapping ESOL Provision in Greater London London Adult Community Learning Review Report
Greater London Authority
Updated
A 2017 report making recommendations for developing a long-term plan for Adult Community Learning in London.
1 file(820.28 kB)
London Adult Community Learning Review Report Digital Talent Programme research and resources
Greater London Authority
Updated
A range of reports that helped shape the development and direction of the Mayor's Digital Talent programme .
Raising after-housing-cost incomes for the bottom 20% of London households
The London Growth Plan, published in February 2025, commits to raising the after-housing-cost (AHC) incomes of London's lowest-earning 20% of households by 20% by 2035. This commitment is reinforced by the Inclusive Talent Strategy. The attached report provides the first detailed evidence base for that target: it sets out who is in the bottom 20% of London households by AHC income, why their incomes have stagnated for nearly three decades, and which policy levers are most likely to make a material difference.
Raising AHC incomes for the bottom 20% of London households.pdf
lgp_inclusion_bottom_20_281026.pdf