In your corner: REC Campaigns and Policy news - 21 October 2021

There are now only two months left in 2021 (where has the year gone?!) but things remain as busy as ever for the REC, as we represent the industry across government and other stakeholders. The latest policy developments and REC campaign updates are set out below.

REC gives evidence to the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee
As a result of REC's Labour Shortages campaign, CEO, Neil Carberry appeared in front of the BEIS Select Committee to give evidence on the impact of supply chain delays in business and consumer. Neil told the Committee that we need to create a fit for purpose skills system led by the needs of business and the economy, as well as greater partnership between government and industry. He urged the Treasury to consider how the spending review will “enable businesses to drive prosperity in the years to come”, and help firms to increase investment in technology, skills and management practices. It was the first time REC was invited to participate in a committee, in a recognition of our campaign efforts in representing members and the wider recruitment industry.

Beyond the BEIS Select Committee, we have secured nine meetings with parliamentarians, two ministerial meetings, two meetings with the shadow frontbench team, and had six written parliamentary questions tabled. We'll also be giving evidence at the Welsh Affairs Committee on 17th November which is looking into labour shortages. Please see our website for further updates.

REC and DWP re-new partnership agreement
A delegation of REC members met with the Minister for Employment, Mims Davies MP for a roundtable discussion chaired by Neil Carberry. Topics discussed included skills shortages, and routes into employment for young people. The Minister acknowledged the importance of temporary work as a route into work. Neil and the Minister signed a partnership agreement committing us to work together on supporting people into employment. See the press release here.

HGV drivers' skills bootcamps and REC roundtable
Following the launch of Skills Bootcamps for HGV drivers, the REC hosted a roundtable between the Department for Education (DfE) and members from the drivers' sector. You can listen to the session on skills bootcamps here. Our legal team also gave an update on IR35 changes (available here) and the campaigns team led a discussion about the REC's labour shortage campaign and our asks to government. You can see the slides presented during the session here.

With regards to this skills bootcamp, the invitation to tender closes tomorrow, 22 October at 12pm and you can access more information here. There is also a Facebook group now set up where training providers and recruitment businesses can communicate. Please note this isn’t affiliated with DfE. A large volume of information is available through the department’s e-tendering portal Jagger. The contract duration is from November 2021 to March 2022.

This is a small step in the right direction for us and comes after significant campaigning from the REC and other industry bodies for accessible, affordable training for new workers in the industry.

REC participates in Digital Right to Work test
As part of the Home Office's ongoing review into digital right to work checks, the REC recently participated in a research session with the Home Office to test and provide feedback on a proposed digital system for RTW checks for all candidates moving forward. At this early stage further detail on the system being considered cannot be shared. Whilst this review is ongoing, the REC will continue to push a permanent digital RTW checking system.

HMRC guidance on Umbrella companies
HMRC has prepared guidance for businesses using temporary labour involving umbrella companies, the risks of becoming involved in a tax avoidance scheme and steps you can put in place to help reduce it. In addition, HMRC have organised a free webinar on this guidance to offer more information and an opportunity for employers to ask questions on the use of umbrella companies. You can sign up to attend the webinar here.

Home Office updated guidance on the new immigration system
The Home Office has updated its guidance on the UK’s points-based immigration system: An introduction for employers to include more information on access to labour. The guidance covers government initiatives to access the UK labour market, as well as visa routes to recruit from overseas. The document is meant to act as a one-stop-shop for those thinking about recruiting from abroad.

Mitigating the risk of modern slavery
Shiva Foundation is seeking information on SME's who used their toolkit created together with STOP THE TRAFFIK to help companies mitigate their risk of modern slavery. The organisation is seeking views about whether the toolkit has been helpful, and about what barriers you might face in mitigating risk of modern slavery. It’s a very short survey and allows for confidentiality. The survey closes on 15 November 2021.

REC Education Sector webinar
The next REC Education sector will be taking place on 9 November at 1pm. This will feature the latest legal and campaigns updates for the sector, as well as an update from NASUWT on safeguarding and the role agencies play in this. You can register to attend the webinar here.

Research Corner
According to the REC’s latest Jobs Recovery Tracker in the week of 4-10 October there were 2.29 million active job adverts in the UK, a new record high. In the same week there were also around 235,000 new job postings. This was the second highest weekly figure since the data collection began in the beginning of 2020. We’ve also seen an increased upwards trend – job adverts have increased by over 600,000 since the end of August.

Next week, the REC is also publishing the new JobsOutlook, so keep an eye out for the latest insight on employer sentiment towards the economy and their short and medium-term hiring intentions.

REC Media Watch 
On the media front, the REC’s Jobs Recovery Tracker data has been covered by Sky News and the Mirror, as well as a number of regional papers. Neil Carberry’s appearance in front of the BEIS select committee was featured in the Financial Times, amongst others. Kate Shoesmith co-authored an opinion piece in the Times about why asylum seekers should be allowed to work. Neil also spoke to TalkRADIO Breakfast about the benefits and difficulties of hybrid working, and the importance of work-life balance. Kate Shoesmith also appeared on ITV News on Wednesday 20^th, commenting on new government proposals encouraging businesses to employ prisoners to help stem the driver shortage.