Getting the clarity we need

Clarity from government on business support provisions remains our priority during this phase of the Covid-19 crisis. We have opened a range of channels, including bi-weekly discussions with BEIS, regular dialogue with other government departments and No10 and direct engagement between REC members and ministers (such as last week’s exchange with Business Minister Nadhim Zahawi).  On the topic of holiday pay, stand-alone guidance is currently awaiting ministerial sign-off, so don't forget to check out our COVID-19 Hub.

In other news, the bounce back loan was launched this week, providing loans of up to £50,000 for small businesses and with a 100% guarantee from government. The feedback from businesses has been positive so far, and developments on trade credit insurance have also been welcomed.

Preparing for the next phase

The next priority is managing the ‘back to work’ agenda. We were given a heads-up on the government’s draft guidance; feedback from REC and other business organisations will inform the final document. REC members will play a key role in helping clients, candidates and workers negotiate this next phase. We will continue to work with other business organisations and Trade Unions and use our regular research and data to influence government policy and help shape the post-crisis landscape.

Up-skilling staff will help businesses prepare for the next phase, which is why Government recently launched The Skills Toolkit, an online platform offering free numeracy and digital skills courses. Policy Adviser, Chris Russell’s blog on the toolkit, provides an overview of the scheme and flags REC training courses that can benefit recruitment professionals, even if they are furloughed.

Looking ahead: the Research Corner

Our latest JobsOutlook Report, shows business confidence plummeting. Although short-term hiring plans are significantly impacted, employers are more positive around longer-term hiring intentions. The report also looks at how employers are managing the impact of COVID-19.

Sectoral snapshot

• A specific priority in the education sector has been clarity on whether supply teachers can be furloughed for periods that include school holidays. We have also written to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson calling for more schools to follow the Cabinet Office guidance as a means of supporting supply teachers.
• We are also actively promoting the take-up of the scheme in health and social care and collated other priorities for the sector in a short Manifesto document ‘Backing the NHS and care sector at a time of crisis’.
• In the retail sector, the focus is on when and how retail outlets start to re-open. One of the challenges is that the approach is likely to vary across the devolved nations.
• In hospitality, the overriding priority is to extend government support as the sector will continue to be one of the most affected.

Upcoming sector events:

• 13 May Blue Collar Recruitment Webinar
• 19 May: AER Webinar - opened to all Permanent Recruitment
• 02 June: High-Skilled and Office Professional Recruitment Webinar