REC comments on Get Britain Working White Paper announcements

Commenting on the government’s Get Britain Working White Paper announcements, Shazia Ejaz, REC Director of Campaigns and Research, said:

“Getting more people into work is crucial given the large-scale labour and skills shortages the UK faces and which could cost the economy up to £39 billion every year in the growth everyone wants.

"There are good intentions in the government's White Paper and the policy announcements are heading in the right direction especially in terms of joining up services around employment with skills and careers advice. The support around mental health as a path to tackling inactivity is crucial. Also welcome is the recognition that one size doesn’t fit all and that Mayoral regions are well placed to look at how to address barriers to employment and work with local employers to build an approach that works for everyone.

“Factoring in the importance of flexible work must not be overlooked when the government thinks about how to meet the employment target. Temporary work provides a valuable way into work and offers opportunities to train, learn new skills and develop the soft skills employers want to see. Recruiters will be keen to work with a reformed JobCentre Plus offer which makes it easier for them and employers more generally to engage with JobCentre.

"Addressing the challenges of the NHS and tackling economic inactivity driven by ill health are rightly front and centre in the White Paper and are inherently linked. To reduce waiting lists and support workforce participation we need a better workforce strategy for the NHS. One that acknowledges the value and contribution of agency staff in providing patient care and doesn’t demonise the use of temporary workers. Impulsive bans on some agency workers will detract from the aims of treating people quickly to get them back in work. A reform of public sector procurement frameworks to deter from more costly last minute agency provision should accompany any measures to get patients better care and achieve value for taxpayers.

“The success of our own work on the Restart scheme which placed 3,200 long-term unemployed into work in the past couple of years shows the appetite from employers to give people a chance. We need to see more collaboration with employers to deliver what has been announced and hope there is more to come from government on that.”

Notes to editors

1.     REC Overcoming Shortages report, 2022. In this report, we show exactly how much damage could be done if we don’t step up. With a 10% surge in demand for staff across the economy, and the labour market restricted by shortages, we could see a 1.2% fall in expected GDP and productivity by 2027 – costing the economy anywhere between £30 billion and £39 billion every year. This figure is just short of the entire current defence budget, or two whole Elizabeth Lines.

2.     Britain’s temporary labour market is working well for people, firms and the modern economy – with about one million temps working every day. Its success at bringing and retaining people in the labour force is vital to the new government’s central mission of driving growth. We are proud to share the voices of temporary workers - showing first-hand the impact temporary work has on the lives of individuals. These stories emphasise how important it is that employment regulation protects workers but does not stop people from accessing flexible work. The 'Voice of the worker' campaign is underpinned by our survey of 520 temp agency workers in Britain in June 2024, where we asked why agency work matters to them.

Click here to view all REC press releases and for more information and interview enquiries, contact the REC Press Office on 020 7009 2157, 020 7009 2129 or pressoffice@rec.uk.com. Outside of regular office hours, please call 07702 568 829.

The REC is the voice of the recruitment industry, speaking up for great recruiters. We drive standards and empower recruitment businesses to build better futures for great candidates and themselves. We are champions of an industry which is fundamental to the strength of the UK economy.

Find out more about the Recruitment & Employment Confederation at www.rec.uk.com.