Current News

REC/IRP The Week Ahead

Highlights from the last week included our Regional Directors Forum and round-table meeting with Jobcentre Plus which provided useful feedback on current trends in the jobs market and showcased examples of local level co-operation between REC members and JCP. There is also a shared agenda in terms of providing qualifications and continuous development to those operating in the front line of our jobs markets - whether public or private sector. From the recruitment industry perspective this is something that our Institute of Recruitment Professionals (IRP) will continue to drive.

The CBI roundtable on AWR one year in was a good opportunity for employers and recruiters to exchange views on the impact of the regulations. Our core message is that the regulations have created substantial cost and bureaucracy for agencies but have had a limited impact on demand for temporary and contract staff. The feedback from client organisations confirmed that the AWR had acted as a prompt for many employers to review their supply chain but also highlighted the ongoing need for flexible staffing arrangements. The fact that the overall demand for temporary staff has not been dramatically affected is to a large extent due to the fact that agencies stepped up to the plate and prepared extensively for the implementation process.

Last week also saw the latest gathering of our Managed Services Forum and a flurry of activity across a number of REC Sector Groups, including office professionals, healthcare, childcare, drivers and industrial. The latest general meeting of the Interim Management Association (IMA) The next few weeks will see us ramping up activities in other key sectors such as creative industries, life sciences, technology and engineering.

Highlights over the coming week include the launch of our Flexible Work Commission on Thursday and confirmation of the REC’s work with the CFA to develop the first advanced and higher level apprenticeship in recruitment (http://www.rec.uk.com/press/news/2196). We will also be taking forward key industry messages in meetings with Government Procurement Service, the Department of Health, the Department for Work & Pensions, ACAS, the CBI, the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) and the new Employment Minister, Mark Hoban. On the policy front, major government announcements will include a proposed scrapping of the current GCSEs as well as further details on last week’s employment law review.

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

Monday September 17

REC Meeting with new Employment Minister Mark Hoban, together with other business organisations
Meeting of the ‘Employers and Employability Group’ – REC attending.
REC and Interim Management Association (IMA) meeting with Government Procurement Service (GPS), Liverpool.
IPPR North holds a debate on the north-south divide in the UK.
The General Medical Council is expected to publish a report on future challenges for the medical profession.
The National Centre for Social Research publishes a report into British social attitudes.

Tuesday September 18

REC meeting with Department of Health on revalidation of locum doctors.
Meeting with Department for Work & Pensions on latest communication drive on pensions reform.
PricewaterhouseCoopers hold a breakfast briefing entitled ‘Public services under pressure’ looking into the next phase of public service reform.
The King’s Fund holds a conference on an integrated system of care.
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers holds a conference with the theme ‘A Blueprint for Better Business’.
The Work Foundation hosts an event on regeneration in the face of cuts in public finance.
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants publishes a report analysing business opinions on talent management.
HM Revenue and Customs publishes UK overseas trade and statistics.

Wednesday September 19

REC attending CBI forum on youth employment, chaired by Employment Minister Mark Hoban.
Launch of CIPD report on the business case for employing young job-seekers.
The Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion is hosting a Welfare to Work convention in Scotland.
The British Retail Consortium hosts its annual retail industry dinner with shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna.
The Social Market Foundation holds an event on the impact of universal credit with shadow minister for employment Stephen Timms.
The House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee publishes a report on youth unemployment and the youth contract.
The Office for National Statistics releases average weekly earning figures, first estimates of international comparisons of productivity for 2011, occupational pension scheme survey annual report and survey and statistics on turnover and orders in production and service industries.

Thursday September 20

Launch of the REC’s Flexible Work Commission report, REC offices, London
REC meeting with ACAS on impact of AWR in terms of claims and tribunal activity
REC ‘In the Round’ event, Bournemouth
Reform hosts a policy summit on the future of technology in policing
The Law Society holds its inaugural annual conference
The Health and Social Care Information Centre release estimates of NHS staff earnings

Friday September 21

REC Meeting with Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) on review of the Conduct Regulations.
HM Treasury publishes public sector finance for August 2012.
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills release regional and economic performance indicators for 2012.