REC responds to the SNP manifesto 2024

Commenting on the SNP manifesto 2024, Kate Shoesmith, REC Deputy Chief Executive, said: 

“The SNP manifesto offers the prospect of a comprehensive debate between the different political parties on employment policy after the General Election. 

“We have previously proposed moves ourselves to dampen ‘fire and rehire’ practices and to close the gender pay gap so welcome those commitments. And we back immigration rules that help us attract and retain vitally needed care workers. The UK must have an internationally competitive immigration offer, especially when REC data shows there are 48,700 vacancies for care workers and home carers in the UK. 

“The call for a single status of ‘worker’ shows a lack of understanding of the importance of the UK's temporary worker market which is one of the success stories of our economy. As well as creating a barrier to flexible working, it risks undermining the legal rights already carved out for agency workers. The labour market has changed dramatically over the last few years and many people want to work differently. It is important flexible working, properly regulated and supported, is maximised. Any policies that limit individual choice in how people work could have a negative impact on employment rates. We need choice with genuine two-sided flexibility that works for the employer and the worker to drive productivity, growth and job satisfaction.  

“We hope that very little mention of ‘skills’ in the manifesto does not suggest complacency about the scale of labour and skills shortages in Scotland. 

“Increasing the national minimum wage empowers workers but there is a balance to achieve with its impact on business. Our Labour Market Tracker published this week suggests that the recent rise in national minimum wage is contributing to fewer vacancies for summer seasonal work.” 

Ends 

Notes to editors: 

In REC’s Overcoming Shortages 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.

Labour Market Tracker: Summer seasonal hiring down, but overall number of active jobs adverts in the labour market is robust – REC, June 2024

Recruiters filled 25 million temp and contract roles in a year, according to the latest REC industry report, December 2023 

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