Recruitment Matters - Oct/Nov 2020

TH E VI E W AN D TH E I N TE LLI G E N CE

Next steps for supporঞng the economy p2 B I G TALKI N G POI N T

How to take acঞon on race at work p4 Issue 88 Recruitment October/ Ma ers November 2020

LEGAL U PDATE

Managing workplace risk assessments p6 TR AI N I N G AN D E VE N TS

What you missed at REC 2020 p8

REC calls on government

Recruitment industry will help fuel recovery T

he Chancellor Rishi Sunak is due to deliver his budget statement in the autumn. The task ahead of him could not be bigger – to introduce policies that will bring the economy back from the biggest economic shock in our history. The REC has been highlighঞng to government what needs to happen to boost jobs in both the Comprehensive Spending Review and the Budget. We’re working to ensure government embraces the role the recruitment industry can play in schemes announced in the Summer Statement to help the recently unemployed get back to work. This autumn, here are some of the measures we are calling for the government to deliver on. Sঞmulate business and hiring A sঞmulus package, which includes reducing taxes on business acঞvity such as Employer Naঞonal Insurance Contribuঞons (NICs) and business rates, as well as a reformed apprenঞceship levy, would help firms get back

@RECPress RM_October 2020 1

on track. Reducing employers' NICs will help lower the cost of employing people. “Employers NICs are the single largest non-wage labour cost that employers face,” says Louise Hewe , Managing Director of Hewe Recruitment.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has a big task ahead of him

Secure a good trade deal Covid-19 has added to Brexit uncertainty. At the ঞme of wriঞng businesses are sঞll none the wiser about how they will be able to conঞnue doing business with the EU come January. The government needs to act fast and: • Minimise barriers to trading with the single market • Ensure the mutual recogniঞon of people’s qualificaঞons • Secure the flow of data between the UK and the EU • Guarantee UK professionals’

Making great work happen

ability to travel and do business in the EU with ease. Simon Conington, CEO of BPS World and REC council member, says: “So much of the recruitment industry depends on mobility and trade agreements. The government needs to agree the terms with the EU urgently so we can prepare.” A flexible immigraঞon system Equally important is the new immigraঞon system due to come into force on New Year’s Day, but ঞme is short for business to implement the new rules. The new system must be clear and easy to use, parঞcularly with Right to Work checks. Long term, we need to ensure that the system is flexible and does not result in damaging skills shortages in the economy. Keep digital Right to Work checks When the pandemic struck, the requirement of Right to Work checks to be done in person was a huge problem. The REC successfully campaigned for checks to be made digital. This new way of working been a success and we’re calling on government to build on what has been done. Susie Ankre , Director at Susie Ankre , Director at Plum Personnel, says: “Digital checks provided an essenঞal lifeline for us to get people out to work, especially in the NHS. I truly hope the rules will not be reversed.”

www.rec.uk.com 17/09/2020 12:49