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.
Reform published a report on the apprenticeship levy called The great training robbery: assessing the first year of the apprenticeship levy. It was covered in the following publications: BBC News, Financial Times, The Times, The Independent, City A.M., Tes, Eastern Daily Press, FE Week, London Loves Business, FE News, The Week, WonkHE, HR Magazine, Recruiter, The Caterer, Personnel Today, Financial News.
Tom Richmond, Senior Research Fellow at Reform, appeared on Talk Radio to discuss the findings of Reform‘s latest report, The great training robbery: assessing the first year of the apprenticeship levy.
He highlighted a concerning trend that some companies are able to re-badge courses as ‘apprenticeships’, which are low-skilled and low-quality, getting access to government subsidies. The government definition is too broad and a stronger, internationally bench-marked definition needs to be put in place. Government money should be spent on high-quality training
Alexander Hitchcock, Research Manager at Reform, appeared on BBC One’s The Big Questions this week, which was devoted to one big question: ‘Is the NHS still fit for purpose?’
He stressed that the needs of the population have changed from when the NHS was first created, with the focus now being on caring for those with long-term illnesses. Shifting more money upfront from hospitals and into the community would help to do this. In addition, he also raised an important point about the sustainability of the NHS, where spend has been increasing in real terms over the past few years.
Tom Richmond, Senior Research Fellow at Reform, appeared on the BBC News at One to discuss the findings of Reform‘s latest report, The great training robbery: assessing the first year of the apprenticeship levy.
He discussed the issue of poor-quality apprenticeships and how greater regulation is needed.
Tom Richmond, Senior Research Fellow at Reform, appeared on BBC News Live this morning to discuss findings from Reform‘s latest report on the apprenticeship levy, The great training robbery: assessing the first year of the apprenticeship levy.
He discussed the issue that 40% of apprenticeships don’t meet historical or current international definitions of apprenticeships, as they are low-quality and low-skilled. Greater quality control is needed.
Tom Richmond, Senior Research Fellow at Reform, appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme 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 some apprenticeships are low-skill and low-quality, around 40% are not up to the international standard, and that better rules need to be put in place by government to combat this.
Listen to the full episode here (Tom’s interview comes in at around 51 minutes 23 seconds into the programme).
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.