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REC/IRP - The week ahead

Last week's reshuffle affected most of the government departments we have been working with. The priority over the next few weeks is to build relationships with incoming Ministers, starting with a meeting later this month with the new Employment Minister Mark Hoban. The forthcoming party conferences will also provide a good platform for spreading the word. An overview of the recent changes is at the following link: http://www.rec.uk.com/press/news/2191

There was also an international flavour to the last week with meetings in Brussels and Helsinki. These included discussions Members of European Parliament (MEPs) on the latest EU regulatory 'offerings’ and an interesting exchange with other federations on how the Agency Workers Directive is being implemented across Europe.

Looking ahead, this week sees the publication of the latest REC/KPMG Report on Jobs as well a flurry of sectoral activity – for example, involving REC Childcare, REC Office Professionals, REC Healthcare and the Interim Management Association (IMA) – and the latest meeting of the REC’s Managed Services Forum. We will also be hosting a meeting of REC Regional Directors to discuss the next phase in our partnership work with Jobcentre Plus.

On the policy front, we are expecting government announcements on new measures to drive growth, including a streamlining of employment regulations and more targeted enforcement activities. This will include a review of the conduct regulations which we have been discussing with BIS officials since the start of the year. The key now is for government is to start delivering some concrete action.

In summary, some of the main REC activities and external developments over the coming weeks are as follows:

Monday September 10

• REC/KPMG Report on Jobs is published
• Trades Union Congress (TUC) annual conference, Brighton
• Fringe event at TUC conference on the impact of the economic crisis on young workers with Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury Rachel Reeves.
• The Work Foundation hosts the launch of the OECD’s education at a glance 2012

• REC ‘Ask the Expert’ Workshop, London
• Interim Management Association (IMA) - General meeting, FT Offices, London REC Healthcare - Meeting with Department of Health on revalidation for locum doctors
• REC Managed Services Forum, London
• TUC annual conference, Brighton
• Respublica hosts a public panel discussion on fostering social mobility through a new network of educational institutions of military academies
• The King’s Fund holds a one-day conference on the upcoming challenges and opportunities of transforming local health services with Health minister Norman Lamb
• Westminster Health Forum holds an event on the future of the NHS and implementing the Health and Social Care Act

Wednesday September 12

Thursday September 13

• REC Regional Directors Forum, London
• Round-table with Jobcentre Plus on next phase of REC/JCP Partnership Agreement
• Westminster Health Forum holds an event on the future roles of Monitor and the Care Quality Commission
• The Institute for Government holds a lunchtime panel discussion on cabinet reshuffle
• Localis launches a report into future models of public service delivery
• The Department of Health publishes NHS referral to treatment waiting times for July 2012

 Friday September 14

• Possible government announcement on streamlining employment regulations. This may include specific reference to the review of the Conduct Regulations.
• Office for National Statistics publishes statistics on UK export and imports of goods and output in the construction industry for July 2012
• The Welsh Government publishes the latest economic and labour market statistics for Wales.