Latest news from policy and research

The year may be winding down, but there is no slowing down at REC virtual HQ as government announcements and activity remains high. The Chancellor announced his Spending Review last week and  a recent letter from the Business Secretary confirmed what we all have long suspected, the Brexit transition period will be ending on 31 December 2020. With this date set in stone, the REC is here to support members with their final Brexit preparations. We have a newly updated checklist for members who want clarity on what they need to do to ensure they are ready. Only  30 days left.

Applications are a go for new immigration system

With applications for the new immigration rules opening on the 1 December, the REC is putting pressure on government to ensure that there is clarity for recruiters on the new rules. The REC and the TUC will be writing a joint letter to the Home Office to address the changes to the immigration system. With a new system coming in to place it is crucial that workers arriving in the UK are fully aware of their worker rights and that these are communicated to them clearly throughout the immigration process. The joint letter will highlight the need for this and suggest some ways that this can be done effectively to ensure workers remain informed. For the latest update, visit our Brexit hub here. 

REC respond to NEU/NASUWT Campaign

In response to the ongoing campaign by the NEU and NASUWT to remove agencies from the supply teacher supply chain, the REC has now written a letter on behalf of members setting out the importance of agencies in the education sector. Education agencies can send this letter directly to their clients to help counter any information they have had through from the unions regarding this campaign.

European Confederation of Search and Selection Associations (ECCSA) state of the industry barometer

The results of this year’s ECSSA state of the industry barometer have just been published. The yearly survey monitors the financial situation of the executive search industry in selected European countries. This year’s results gave an interesting cross-national comparison. As members of ECSSA, REC members can access the report. Please contact policy@rec.uk.com for a copy.

New research project into agency workers

The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) have commissioned International Institute for Field (IFF) Research  into the working circumstances and experience of agency workers in the UK. The study aims to understand the experiences of agency workers, levels of satisfaction and wellbeing and awareness of their entitlements. The research will involve a 15-20-minute online survey to be completed by your agency workers. The survey and more details of the research can be found here.

The IFF are also looking to recruit more members to the UK and Scottish Jobs panels, particularly in the areas of Nursing/Medical/Care and Hospitality. Interested REC members will need to complete a short survey every month and will receive a free issue of the Report on Jobs report. Please contact policy@rec.uk.com if you want to take part.

Research corner

Latest findings from the REC JobsOutlook report have revealed a further decline in employer confidence in the market. The REC’s report found that employers’ confidence in their ability to make hiring and investment decisions fell by five percentage points from the previous rolling quarter. Business confidence in the wider UK economy also fell by five points to net: -49 over the same period. However, confidence levels remain far higher than reported in the spring.

Other key figures from the latest JobsOutlook include:

• This quarter, more than half (53%) of employers who hire agency workers said that they use them to help manage uncertainty. This was notably higher than a year earlier (39%).
• One in three (35%) employers reported having no spare capacity in their workforce, rising to 46% among businesses in the Midlands.
• Seven in ten (72%) employers who use recruitment agencies were satisfied with their recruitment partners.