REC Identifies Priorities Ahead of the Autumn Statement

The Chancellor, George Osborne, will set out the government’s economic strategy for 2014 next Thursday, 5 December. Ahead of this, the REC has written to the Treasury to highlight the following areas, which we believe should be their priorities to support better business growth:
 
1.     Prepare people for work through ongoing investment in education and skills
The jobs market is motoring and the most pressing concern for employers and recruiters right now is finding suitably skilled candidates. We have implored government to continue to invest in education and training that works for employers.  We want to see more support for apprenticeships and other workplace training programmes, especially for SMEs, and we have suggested government funds a new round of the Employer Ownership of Skills programme.
 
2.     Ensure a level playing field for all businesses through equitable taxation
Encouraging businesses to pay their fair share of taxation is important. In many instances this does not require a change of policy but better guidance, which would enable businesses to understand their duties and pay accordingly. However that guidance, and any reporting requirements imposed on businesses to ensure fair competition, must reflect the complexities of modern supply chain and contracting arrangements. We have highlighted how confusion over the application of VAT for agency workers in the health and social care space is one example of why we need such guidance.
 
3.     Encourage a diverse range of employment options through investment & taxation
Our flexible labour market is the envy of the world and neither employers nor individuals should be penalised for making this choice. It is imperative that government and its agencies do not lose out on an extremely important part of its workforce, and that we continue to encourage this employment option through properly implemented taxation reform. Therefore, we call on government to improve the guidance available and in the long-term, we have suggested an independent review of IR35 and its impact on contractors and their employers.

The REC will be following the Autumn Statement live – follow @RECPress for updates.