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REC messages to new Cabinet members

The new Cabinet was announced yesterday and Ministerial teams are expected to be finalised during the course of the day.

The REC will be now contacting new Secretaries of State on a range of issues impacting on the recruitment industry.

With regards to some of the regulatory challenges facing recruiters, our first port of call will be Dr Vincent Cable, who was named Secretary of State for Business. We will actively promote the messages of our Public Sector Resourcing campaign to both the Secretaries of State for Health and for Local Government.

The REC has developed a strong working relationship with the Department for Work & Pensions over recent years and we will be looking to build on this with the new Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith.  

 Commenting on the immediate lobbying priorities for the industry, Anne Fairweather, the REC’s Head of Public Policy says:  

 “An important part of the REC’s work over the last few years has been to build links with the Opposition parties,  which means that we already have a good relationship with a number of the new Cabinet members. This is a good base but there is no doubt that the next few weeks and months will be crucial in getting our messages across on issues such as employment regulation, labour market policy, taxation and public sector reform.

"As well as contacting incoming Ministers, we need to get in touch with all MPs to promote the positive role of recruiters and the cores messages of our Manifesto.”

Key figures within the new Cabinet that the REC will be contacting over the coming days include:  

Dr Vincent Cable, Secretary of State for Business – We will take forward our line on AWR and other regulations and highlight our work with BIS to enhance industry standards;  

Iain Duncan Smith, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions – Aim is to underline positive contribution of the industry and promote possible areas of co-operation;

Andrew Lansley, Secretary of State for Health – We must challenge misconceptions over agency work in the NHS and promote messages of our Public Sector Resourcing campaign;  

Theresa May, Home Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities – The aim is promote the industry line on immigration policy as well as CRB and equality issues;  

Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government – The aim is to actively promote messages of our Public Sector Resourcing campaign; 

David Laws, Chief Secretary to the Treasury – There are a number of taxation and enforcement issues that we will continue to take these forward on behalf of members.

The REC will ensure that members concerns are taken forward to the highest levels of the new Government and will provide regular updates on what the new political landscape means for the industry.