Tom Richmond

G4S WELFARE TO WORK – ANNUAL REVIEW 2012
This ‘annual review’ contains a wide range of information about how G4S Welfare to Work supports jobseekers in the South East, Yorkshire and Humber and the North West through the Work Programme - the Government’s flagship scheme for helping long-term unemployed people int ...
read more
PAYMENT BY RESULTS – WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE WORK PROGRAMME?
The ‘Work Programme’ represents the most significant shift in the welfare-to-work industry for many years. One of the most innovative features of the Work Programme is its emphasis on ‘payment by results’, which means that providers only get paid once an outcome has been achieved. ...
read more
SIMPLY LEARNING: IMPROVING THE SKILLS SYSTEM IN ENGLAND
The world of skills, whether it be vocational education, apprenticeships or adult education, has been subject to near constant upheaval for at least 25 years. In recent years the Government has attempted to increase the volume of post compulsory education, improve the status of vocational ...
read more
SCIENCE FICTION? UNCOVERING THE REAL LEVEL OF SCIENCE SKILLS
Britain will need more science skills if it is to prosper. According to the CBI a staggering 92% of firms across all sectors require people with science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills, but more than 59% are experiencing problems finding them. The Government has repeatedly ...
read more
SHIFTING REPONSIBILITIES, SHARING COSTS: MENTAL HEALTH AND WELFARE
With a long way to go to meet the government target of one million fewer claimants on Incapacity Benefit by 2015, there is an increasing recognition that efforts must focus not only on returning people from welfare to work, but also on preventing the slide from employment towards benefits ...
read more
INTERNSHIPS: TO PAY OR NOT TO PAY?
With youth unemployment at record levels and graduates struggling to find work, internships – typically a period of workplace learning for undergraduates and graduates lasting from 3 to 12 months – have become an increasingly high-profile option for those finishing their university and ...
read more
INTERNSHIPS THAT WORK: A GUIDE FOR EMPLOYERS
This guide was aimed at employers that are either thinking of starting an internship programme for the first time or wish to improve their current offering. The guide covers six principles of high-quality internships: 1. RECRUITMENT; 2. PAYMENT AND DURATION; 3. INDUCTION; 4. TREATMENT; 5. ...
read more
RISING MARKS, FALLING STANDARDS
One of the most enduring debates in education concerns ‘standards’ in primary and secondary schools. Literacy, numeracy and science form the backbone of the school curriculum with the intention of equipping pupils with these core skills by the time they leave school. The purpose of thi ...
read more

Welcome to my website. I set up this site as a way of storing publications that I’ve authored or co-authored as well as the media appearances that I have made since entering the world of politics. I began my career as a school teacher but moved into politics a few years ago to get involved in policy development and research. Please use the menu at the top of the page to browse through my publications and media work. I have also included a short biography and a contact form should you wish to find out more information. If you would like to read my views and thoughts on the latest events in education, skills and welfare policy, you can CLICK HERE to follow me on Twitter.

Policy specialisms:

School examinations such as GCSEs and A-levels
Primary and secondary schools standards, including literacy and numeracy
Skills policy, including workplace learning and apprenticeships
Welfare-to-work and 'payment by results'
Higher Education and Further Education reforms
Internships and the minimum wage
Social mobility in education

A collection of my publications and media appearances on education, skills policy and welfare reform.