REC responds to Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride’s ‘Put Brits First’ initiative

Responding to Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride’s ‘Put Brits First’ initiative, Kate Shoesmith, REC Deputy Chief Executive, said:

“Efforts to support more British people into work should be a priority of the government and all political parties in the run up to a General Election later this year.

“But the bottom line is that many British businesses are at breaking point because of labour shortages. REC data shows 1.7 million unfilled job postings last month.

“I have yet to meet a British employer that doesn’t want to invest in their talent pipeline and support job opportunities for local people. It shouldn’t be about picking winners or employing British workers over foreigners. It is about creating the right conditions for long-term, sustainable economic growth - and that starts by creating the right conditions for the UK labour market. We need calm and coherence across skills, health, transport, infrastructure, childcare, devolution and, yes, immigration policy.

“After all, our Overcoming Shortages report shows a labour market restricted by skills shortages, could cost the economy anywhere between £30 billion and £39 billion per year. This figure is just short of building two whole Elizabeth Lines every year.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

Labour Market Tracker: Shortages keep job adverts above 1.7m as UK exits recession – REC, May 2024

The REC’s Overcoming Shortages report, shows what is at stake if employers and recruiters can’t fill vacancies with the necessary skilled people. With a 10% surge in demand for staff across the economy, and the labour market restricted by shortages, we could see a 1.2% fall in expected GDP and productivity by 2027 – costing the economy anywhere between £30 billion and £39 billion every year. This figure is just short of two whole Elizabeth Lines every year. 

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The REC is the voice of the recruitment industry, speaking up for great recruiters. We drive standards and empower recruitment businesses to build better futures for great candidates and themselves. We are champions of an industry which is fundamental to the strength of the UK economy.

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