MH&A

In preparing for next week’s Spring Statement, it’s safe to say the Chancellor is facing tougher decisions than she had planned for. In our view, striking the right balance between fiscal responsibility and keeping targeted investment – especially in workforce development and healthcare – will be crucial for supporting growth. At the Budget last autumn, the government met its fiscal rules but the margins were so narrow that there was always a sense of problem deferred rather than problem solved. So it has proved, not least as the latest forecasts show the £9.9bn headroom has gone, the cost of borrowing is up, and growth forecasts will be downgraded. The closer we get, the more next week feels like a Budget event rather than the planned low-key Statement. The Chancellor could in theory stick with the status quo and wait until the autumn Budget to make the big calls. Or the other extreme that some have argued for is to seize the opportunity for a big political and fiscal rule reset. Both of these seem unlikely in our view. Doing nothing risks worsening economic conditions, whilst a radical reset carries major political risk.  There will be ways to help reduce the pressure. Defence spend could be treated differently – as seen in Germany – though the markets will have much less tolerance for the UK to try something similar. And though limited, there will be options to increase tax revenues, extending the income tax thresholds freeze being a likely example. But that won’t be enough to balance the books, which is why the recent focus on spending cuts. We expect reductions in departmental spending – either specifics pulled forward from the Spending Review or a reduction in the overall Spending Review envelope, and of course the cuts to welfare spending already announced. Whilst the fiscal picture is bleak, if there is a positive, it’s that we welcome the increased public attention being given to work and health, areas we are especially passionate about. This is a reminder of the vital need to help people find and stay in rewarding jobs, and the critical dependency the workforce has on healthcare. Any cuts need to be made with a real understanding of their impact on people’s quality of life and, in the right ways, supporting their ability to work. As today’s BBC article highlights, the trend is currently going in the wrong direction. This includes ensuring or improving the support to help people into work, expanding opportunities for training and re-skilling throughout careers and healthcare services that gives everyone the best chance of achieving fulfilling careers. The decisions forced by the Spring Statement are difficult, but investing in people - through work, skills, and health - offers the best chance of building long-term resilience, helping people fulfil their potential and avoiding the need to defer today’s problems for another six months. https://lnkd.in/e3SFXmNP

Congrats Emily, Ciara and Fatimah!!! We’re so proud of you, and lucky to get to work with you every day! 🦄 🦄🦄

UNICEF has recently released a report on the state of girls’ education globally. Today, 122 million girls are out of school, and adolescent girls aged 15-19 are more likely than their male peers to not be in education, employment or training (NEET). This issue is even more pronounced in lower-middle-income countries, where 35% of young women are NEET - nearly three times the rate of young men (12%) (ILO 2024). If we zoom in on West and Central Africa, as of 2023, 46% of adolescent girls were out of school compared to 37% in Eastern and Southern Africa (2024). This calls for an urgent need to invest in adolescent girls in Africa, which could allow the continent to unlock an additional income of $2.4 trillion by 2040 (World Bank 2024). To achieve this, one key priority is investing in human capital, ensuring girls have access to quality education and healthcare. Evidence from the World Bank in 2024 shows that improving the quality of instruction, introducing school feeding programmes, reducing or eliminating school fees, and providing in-kind support are effective ways to strengthen these fundamentals. We would love to hear about the strategies you have seen that have had the most impact for adolescent girls. Let us know in the comments below! https://lnkd.in/eDGHaBHY

Social Work Week 2025 is a time to recognise and celebrate the vital contributions of social workers. Social workers transform lives, strengthen communities and support vulnerable people to access critical services. Their impact runs beyond the individual lives they touch. At MH&A, we deeply value the dedication, resilience, and compassion of social workers who support individuals and families every day. This year, Social Work England has highlighted five key themes that they see as critical to the future of the profession, and our thought on these are below. MH&A is committed to supporting social workers and the social care sector through training, workforce development, and innovative service solutions.  We would love to hear your thoughts – comment below or drop us a line to have a chat.  #socialworkweek2025 #socialwork

Frustration continues to mount across the apprenticeship sector as employers and training providers await policy clarification on the government's promised "rebalancing" of the apprenticeship levy – particularly regarding level 7 programmes. Last week, committee stage debates suggested that level 6 qualifications may also be at risk, with ministers refusing to rule out their removal alongside those at level 7. The Government is clearly keen to reshape the apprenticeship market – and we agree that this is a positive move to help tackle rising NEET numbers and make sure that apprenticeships continue to deliver supported entry routes to jobs and careers for young people into the future. In order to drive economic growth, employers will also have to invest in training outside of the apprenticeship system – but data from the Employer Skills Survey shows that investment in training per employee has fallen almost 20% since 2011, when adjusted for inflation. It is essential to reverse this trend to enable workforce development and drive economic growth. Modular training, short courses, and professional qualifications offer flexible options, while partnerships with universities and industry bodies can help bridge skills gaps. How is your organisation approaching workforce development beyond apprenticeships, and what alternative training solutions have you found most effective? You can find out more about the proposed levy reforms here: https://lnkd.in/eFFYsJKp 

Delivering change in government is essential but rarely easy. Which is why we welcome the Select Committee inquiry into the delivery and impact of a mission-led Government. The missions set out the Government’s priorities and the scale of its ambition.  The Plan for Change provided the milestones for greater focus and momentum.  Pat McFadden’s speech on reform highlighted the ways that successful delivery will be achieved: a problem solving mindset, a test-and-learn approach, and embracing creativity without fear of failure. All these elements are necessary, but in our view not sufficient for successful delivery. There is yet more leadership, coherence and energy needed to drive the missions forward. Especially where those missions cut across departments. Does everyone involved understand the milestones and how their work contributes to them? Is there the leadership that joins the dots, accelerates progress and communicates achievements to the public? Many of the elements are in place and open up exciting opportunities to bring about change, but the missions need greater energy and visibility. In 2012 after the success of hosting the Olympics, David Cameron said of the organisers: “I’ve spent three years trying to explain the Big Society, they did it in just three weeks”. It is debateable  whether the Big Society is a benchmark for success, but the point stands that leadership, coordination, communication and energy can turn complex ambitions into visible results.  To bring the missions to life, we need not just one big moment, but sustained efforts to demonstrate impact throughout the Parliament. That is why Parliament’s focus on what is working - and what’s not – is so important. There will already be useful lessons to learn, and sharing those will be invaluable for those already working hard to drive change forward.  You can find the Select Committee call for evidence here: https://lnkd.in/eaXb-2cN #MissionLedGovernment #PublicServiceDelivery 

The BBC has reported that 80% of USAID programmes are officially ending. This creates a significant gap in global aid. For decades, USAID has been a cornerstone of life-saving interventions in developing countries. This sudden shortfall leaves critical programmes at risk, raising concerns about who will step in to fill the void.   There is growing discussion about China and Germany as potential players. China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, has pledged to support Africa’s development, positioning it as a “land of hope” for the 21st century. Meanwhile, Germany has remained the second-largest donor country among OECD Development Assistance Committee members in 2023, contributing $36.7bn - second to the US ($66bn).   National governments may also need to take on a greater role in funding essential programmes. Kenya's Treasury Cabinet Secretary, John Mbadi, recently stated that the country is reviewing existing budget allocations to prioritise critical services and cover some of the gaps left by USAID’s withdrawal. Similarly, Zambia's president described the freeze as a wake-up call, emphasising that the continent must focus on growing its economies and driving sustainable development.   This shift could drive greater ownership of development agendas, but external donor support remains a critical factor in sustaining these efforts. We at MH&A work with donors to deliver crucial programmes in the international education space and have experienced first-hand the impact donor support can have to transform communities.    We’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic in the comments below!   https://lnkd.in/e9C9Zguf

New data around the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) has been published – showing another increase in the number of NEETs in the final quarter of 2024. Over the last five years, NEET numbers have been consistently trending upwards, and have risen more than 27% from around 775k to nearly one million. While the increase is often attributed to the impact of the pandemic, the reality is more complex, with long-term issues in education, training opportunities, and the labour market all playing a role. One key concern is that many young people are struggling to access the support they need to move into work or further study. Employers report difficulties in filling vacancies, yet a significant number of young people remain outside the workforce. This mismatch suggests that the problem isn't just about job availability but also about the accessibility and attractiveness of opportunities. Factors such as low wages, insecure contracts, and a lack of tailored careers advice may be discouraging young people from entering or staying in work. Addressing this issue requires a coordinated response from government, education institutions, and employers, and ensuring that young people have access to the right support, from careers advice to mental health services, is crucial. Without action, we risk seeing even more young people left behind in the years to come. What do you think needs to change to support young people into education and work? You can read more here: https://lnkd.in/dzAWJkkm

This #InternationalWomensDay, we’re reflecting on the power of skills and education to shape the futures of women and girls around the world.   Technical and vocational training isn’t just about skills—it’s about opportunity, economic independence, and the ability to make choices. When women have access to quality vocational education and training, they gain not only employability but also the financial power to shape their lives, support their families, and drive broader economic and social change.   Research shows that when women earn, they reinvest in their families and communities—fueling development from the ground up. Access to TVET in the international development space is, therefore, more than an educational priority; it’s a tool for systemic change.   At MH&A, we believe in #AcceleratingAction by empowering girls through access to quality education and by equipping women with relevant skills for the labour market.   #IWD2025 #SkillsForWomen #TVET #Empowerment #EconomicIndependence

AI is reshaping how organisations operate, innovate, and compete. MIT's Leading with AI report shares key points around AI strategy, data governance, leadership, and productivity. From making AI work with business priorities to using generative AI for efficiency, these findings show how businesses can stay ahead. Swipe through the slides below to see our top takeaways, or find the full report below: https://lnkd.in/eKYyEnK6