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REC reacts to latest Government initiative to create jobs

The REC has welcomed the Government’s plans outlined in Building Britain’s Future to provide support to people out of work. However the REC has warned that these new measures must be consistent with the Government’s approach to future employment regulations.  

The Government’s proposals include:

• Giving every person under 25 who has been out of work for a year the option of a job, training, or work experience place.
• Adults who have been out of work for six months will get help with setting up a business, skills training, or volunteering opportunities.
• The £1 billion Future Jobs Fund will provide 100,000 jobs for young people and a further 50,000 new jobs in areas of high unemployment.

Commenting on the proposals, Tom Hadley, the REC’s Director of External Relations  said: “This is a difficult time for all jobseekers, and new entrants into the labour market must grab every opportunity they can to gain experience and develop their skills. Whilst permanent positions are harder to come by at the moment, temporary job opportunities can often constitute a stepping stone into the labour market.  

 “Agency work will play a vital part of the upturn when the economy starts to grow, allowing businesses to quickly up-scale their production and services. The Government should therefore ensure that the job creation initiatives announced this week are consistent with regulation proposals that might inadvertently reduce temporary work opportunities”.  

The REC is working closely with Jobcentre Plus following the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed last year. This is a commitment for both organisations to work together in order to provide support to get the unemployed back into work.  

The REC is also working with Government to ensure that the implementation of the Agency Workers Directive does not damage job opportunities and the UK’s flexible labour market.