Reform's research and commentary is regularly featured in the media. You can find press coverage of Reform's work here.
We are always happy to comment on policy issues relevant to our work. If you would like a quote, an interview, or a background briefing, please email press@reform.uk.
Tom Richmond, Senior Research Fellow at Reform, appeared on BBC Radio Essex to discuss the findings of Reform‘s latest report, The great training robbery: assessing the first year of the apprenticeship levy.
He discussed the fact that apprenticeships should be high quality, last for 2 – 3 years and be aimed at young people who can get into a skilled job at the start of their careers. Unfortunately, around 40% of current ‘apprenticeships’ are low-quality and low-skilled or, at the other end, management courses are being relabelled as apprenticeships. By 2020, the government will be paying around £600 million on these kinds of courses, which is a waste of money. Government needs to put in place much stronger rules about what an apprenticeship should look like.
Tom Richmond, Senior Research Fellow at Reform, appeared on BBC Radio London to discuss the findings of Reform‘s latest report, The great training robbery: assessing the first year of the apprenticeship levy.
Hundreds of millions of pounds in subsidies are available to companies that provide an apprenticeship. Around 40% of current apprenticeships don’t meet the international definitions of an apprenticeship which is unfair on young people. More robust definitions are needed from the government to prevent companies being able to take advantage of loopholes.
Tom Richmond, Senior Research Fellow at Reform, appeared on BBC Radio Berkshire to discuss the findings of Reform‘s latest report, The great training robbery: assessing the first year of the apprenticeship levy.
He discussed findings from our report including the issue of low-quality, low-skilled ‘apprenticeships’ being offered by some companies. More rigorous definitions of what an apprenticeship is needs to be provided by the government to address this.
Luke Heselwood, Researcher at Reform, wrote an article for Progress Online on why investment in digital skills is vital to ensure we are prepared for the fourth industrial revolution.
As work changes, policymakers need to respond to ensure that all benefit. As automation affects different regions differently, targeted approaches from local leaders and public services are crucial. Innovative leaders are grappling with this in pockets; its high time these approaches were spread across the country.
Read the full article here.
Sarah Timmis, Researcher at Reform, wrote an article for Glint about technology in the UK’s criminal justice system and how it can save police time, make the legal process more efficient and help build citizen confidence in the system.
Read the full article here.
Alexander Hitchcock, Research Manager at Reform, wrote an article for Prospect Magazine following the publication of our new report on the potential benefits of technology for blue light services. In this article, Alexander argues that better data on prisoners’ needs are necessary to deliver effective rehabilitation services.
You can read the full article here.
UK Authority published an article about the findings of Reform‘s latest report, Crime and information: using data and technology to transform criminal-justice services.
Read the full article here.
Alexander Hitchcock, Research Manager at Reform, wrote an article for Policing Insight following the publication of our new report on the potential benefits of technology for blue light services. In this article, Alexander reflects on the technological opportunities available.
You can read the full article here.
Eleonora Harwich, Head of Digital and Tech Innovation at Reform, wrote an article in the British Journal of Healthcare Commuting looking at the application of AI in healthcare. She argues that the hype must not ‘cloud judgement around relevance and design’.
You can read the full article here.
On 16 January 2018, Eleonora Harwich, Head of Digital and Technological Innovation at Reform, gave oral evidence to the Science and Technology Select Committee on ‘Algorithms in decision-making’.
Read the full transcript here.
Eleonora’s evidence was also cited in a recent article by Mark Davies in an article for the British Journal of Healthcare Computing. Read the full article here.
“In a recent Science and Technology Select Committee evidence session, Reform’s Eleonora Harwich emphasised that high-quality data is what will ultimately bring value back to the patient.”
Alexander Hitchcock, Research Manager at Reform, wrote an article in Public Finance.
Alexander argues that the Chancellor is right not to spend any tax dividends and should look to spending taxpayer money more strategically in the Budget to meet big challenges such as an ageing population.
Read the full article here.
On 13 March 2018, Reform published Frontline online. Smarter blue light services. The report finds that police, ambulance and fire services can respond more swiftly and accurately to emergency calls with access to better information on callers and situations.
Policing Insight published an article written by Sarah Timmis, Researcher at Reform, originally published as a Reformer blog. Read it here. Additional coverage was included in Health Estates and Facilities Management Association, Think Digital Partners, King’s Fund and Police Professional .
Sarah Timmis, Researcher at Reform, wrote an article in Public Technology on why technology must be embedded into frontline policing.
“The first step is for smartphones to become ‘business as usual’ across the country. This will lead to the adoption other technologies that can further empower police officers to deliver first-rate services fit for the digital age.”
Read the full article here.
On the 7th March, Maisie Borrows, Researcher at Reform, wrote an article in Progress explaining how blockchain technology could enable a better identity model to be used both at our boarder and in other public services.
You can read the full article here
Eleonora Harwich, Head of Digital and Technological Innovation at Reform, wrote an article in Public Sector Focus about the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare.
The article is based on the findings of Thinking on its own: AI in the NHS. It highlights how AI can help the NHS become more efficient and deliver better outcomes for patients as well as addressing the main barriers to the implementation of AI and some of the potential solutions.
Read the full article here.