In your corner: REC Campaigns and Policy news - 10 February 2022

It's never dull in politics and recent weeks have really testified to that. Amongst all of that we keep working towards our campaign aims and hope MP's are not too distracted to listen! The latest news in dealing with the pandemic is that all covid restrictions could be scrapped a month earlier than expected, in just over two weeks. This would include the legal requirement to self-isolate. The REC will watch this space and help members to navigate the new guidance once we know more. In the meanwhile, we have some sector events on the horizon and have been busy lobbying via consultations and meetings with civil servants on issues such as Umbrella company regulation.

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Roundtable - have your say
Building on our partnership with the DWP, the Department is keen to understand how the recruitment industry can work and support Job Centres to find people roles. They are keen to host a virtual roundtable for members to help them understand how best to work with Job Centres. If this appeals, please do get in touch with our Director of Campaigns, Shazia Ejaz on Shazia.Ejaz@rec.uk.com

Consultation from the Department for Transport (DfT) on skills and diversity in the sector
This week, DfT launched a consultation to better understand how to plug the skills gap, promote diversity and boost careers in the sector. DfT also set out pillars to guide its work in collaboration with the industry, from boosting diversity and social mobility to improving training opportunities and promoting careers, with an eye for future skills.

The consultation closes in early May and the REC will be submitting a response. If you'd like to contribute to the response, please contact the Drivers' Sector Advisor, Luiza Gomes on Luiza.Gomes@rec.uk.com. We also encourage you to submit a response as well, to add your perspective and emphasise the message from the sector.

Government also announced the launch of a Transport Employment and Skills Taskforce, chaired by Rachel Skinner CBE, who is also the president of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). The aim is to work with industry leaders to promote careers and create an opportunity for new joiners while increasing diversity and inclusion.

Skills for Life campaign
On 24 January, the government launched the Skills for Life campaign, highlighting the range of training and employment schemes available for businesses wanting to boost their workforce capabilities, including apprenticeships, traineeships and T-Levels. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the opportunities and help adults decide which is the right course or qualification for them. While we continue to advocate for apprenticeship levy reform (see our comment piece below) we are keen to hear if/how members are benefiting from the training available. Please get in touch with us via policy@rec.uk.com to share your views on this new initiative.

 #LiftTheBan updates
The REC is a signatory of the Lift the Ban Coalition, a campaign to lift the ban on the right to work for asylum seekers. We are following closely as the UK Government's Nationality and Borders Bill makes its way through the committee stage in the House of Lords and continues to gain support from peers. The coalition is now looking to maximise its voice with the support of the business community and it’s asking members interested in the cause to please contact them at LiftTheBan@asylummatters.org by the end of February to become a signatory and/or share ideas and suggestions.

Long-term workforce planning for healthcare
While the REC is in the process of arranging a meeting with Andy Brittain, the Director General of Finance at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), we have followed up with him with a second letter. We have outlined a big picture account of the current state of the UK’s healthcare system, based on the series of conversations the REC has had with healthcare members. Issues raised include international recruitment and recruitment of agency nurses. You can view the full letter here.

Consultation on removing mandatory vaccines as a condition of deployment for healthcare staff
Following a statement delivered by the Health Secretary last week, DHSC has published the details of the consultation on removing mandatory vaccines as a condition of deployment for healthcare staff on 9 February 2022. The consultation is open until 16 February and we encourage our members to submit a response to deliver the message from our sector. The details can be found here.

Feeding into the government's programme of work with the skills and professional business services sector
We have recently had a series of conversations with those at PWC who are leading on the professional and business services council (PBSC) which feeds into government. The Council is looking to launch three different workstreams focused on skills brokerage services, skills toolkit, and digital skills. The REC is part of the PBSC and will be working closely with PwC and other sector organisations to shape the future skills regime on behalf of our members.

Business Advisory Group on Migration's survey to share the private sector's insights
The Business Advisory Group on Migration, hosted by the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), is conducting a global survey to highlight the role of the private sector in shaping immigration policies. Looking at labour migration governance - including pathways, skills mobility and responsible recruitment - to analyse the impact of migration policies, the survey will form the basis of a paper to be presented at the International Migration Review Forum, IMRF Summit. The survey will take about 15 minutes and members are invited to submit responses by 20 February 2022.

In the Media
The REC’s latest Report on Jobs data saw lots of coverage across national and regional media, including in BBC News, the Financial Times, City AM and Sky News.

HR magazine featured a comment piece by Senior Campaigns Advisor Yerin Seo this week, laying out the case for broadening the apprenticeship levy.

Research Corner
The KMPG and REC’s latest UK Reports on Jobs signalled a further steep increase in hiring activity at the start of 2022. Permanent placement and temp billings increase substantially while pay pressures remain elevated as candidate availability falls rapidly.

The REC has also published it’s annual ‘state of the industry’ report. Every year we survey recruitment businesses across the UK to bring you the latest figures for the value and size of the staffing industry and the number of people we place into work. Find out more here.