‘Agencies key to making new National Care Service a success’ - REC

Responding to the Prime Minister’s speech at Labour Conference 2026, Maxine Bligh, Interim Chief Executive at the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), said:

“Employment businesses and the skilled and dedicated people who work through them are a big part of the workforce plan needed for the National Care Service if it is to be well-staffed and deliver the service the Prime Minister aims to create and the country needs. We must learn from the mistakes of NHS staffing policy which prioritises politics over pragmatism.

“Instead, we encourage the government to approach staffing for a National Care Service with the fresh approach to politics and problem-solving the Prime Minister referred to, in his speech. This requires a partnership approach with the private sector and continuous dialogue to deliver a workforce plan that will deliver on the scale needed.”

Maxine Bligh added:
 
“The importance of devolution for delivering growth and jobs is something recruiters can get on board with as they are so often at the heart of local communities, understanding the skills and talent needs of employers and supporting candidates into work to support local economies.

“In our members’ experience, the best labour markets are created when local businesses, local authorities and local people work together, because they understand the needs of their communities better than anyone.”