REC Campaigns - That Was the Year That Was…

As we reach the final wind-down, here are a few thoughts on the 2019 campaigns trail and an initial look ahead as we set sail towards the shimmering shores of 2020.

Looking back on 2019

2019 was another high-energy year. We reached the milestone of 500 signatories to the now renamed Good Recruitment Collective (formerly Good Recruitment Campaign) and achieved a 10% increase in views of our data led research reports. We also achieved a 30% increase in speaking slots to showcase research, compliance work and campaigns throughout the year.

On political engagement, our influence metrics showed a year-on year increase of 24% on positive outcomes from interactions with stakeholders on priority issues for the industry. This included positive engagement with 9 ministers and shadow ministers, 21 MPs and Peers and 60 business organisations and charities. Specific 2019 highlights included:

• The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Amber Rudd at the time) choosing REC HQ to deliver a key policy announcement on in-work progression. 
• Launching our Apprenticeship Levy campaign which has started to shift the dial and resonate with government, including support from the Chancellor Sajid Javid.
• Being invited to become members of the Home Office Business Advisory group on immigration, the BEIS Small Business Taskforce and the Flexible Working Taskforce.
• Tangible progress in our relationship with the Department of Health & Social Care, and with the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate.
• Giving evidence to Parliamentary Groups on AI, the 4th Industrial Revolution and Women in Work as well as to the Low Pay Commission and to the BEIS Brexit Preparedness Working Group.
• Being invited to feed into BEIS guidance on the Key Information Document, and Written Statement and seeing many recommendations taken on board.

A year of many challenges! 

Of course, 2019 wasn’t all sweetness and light. The sheer weight of regulatory changes (in progress and proposed) is an ongoing challenge. We have raised this relentlessly with politicians, and have never given up on campaigning for the delay of IR35. On a practical level, the all-encompassing focus on Brexit has made it harder to engage with Ministers and Secretaries of State on other priority issues for our sector. Addressing this will be a priority in 2020.

Shifting the dial on negative pre-conceptions of agency work remained a challenge, particularly in sectors like healthcare and education. Our focus is on innovative positioning of our research and positive ‘stories’ to dismantle engrained misconceptions.  REC members have also flagged persistent issues with client perceptions of the industry. We will use the Good Recruitment Collective as our channel for influencing the client community.

Looking ahead to 2020

Last week’s Queen’s Speech included announcements on immigration, skills, flexible work and NHS workforce challenges. These are all priority issues in our Making Great Work Happen manifesto that we will continue to take forward in 2020. Other specific priorities include evolving the Apprenticeship Levy, ramping up our voice in the regions and devolved nations and continuing to make our case for delaying the roll out of IR35 in the private sector.

As ever, the practical input from REC members will be the life-blood of our campaigning activities in 2020. 

Have a great break and a happy new campaigning year!