Latest news from policy and research

As we end the party conference season and fully get into the swing of the autumn term the REC continues to promote the work of the industry with government and raise your concerns.

Have your voice heard in the ongoing Brexit negotiations

For the UK recruitment industry to remain a global leader we need to address future trade barriers and the impact they will have on the UK economy. As Brexit negotiations near crunch point, we want to ensure the recruitment industry’s voice is heard by government. To do this effectively, we need to know how you interact with the EU and further afield. Help us by filling out our trade survey which closes in the next few days. In other Brexit news, BEIS is running a series of webinars to help businesses prepare for the end of the transition period. The Services and Investments webinar will take place on 13 October, and you can register here.  

Get Ready for the new Immigration System

The Home Office has launched a new campaign to promote readiness for the new points-based immigration system among UK employers. The new global system represents a significant change for businesses recruiting from outside the UK. EU and non-EU citizens will be equally treated, and this will transform how all migrants come to the UK to work. Our Fragomen/REC guide for members can be found here. We are raising concerns about access to skills shortage areas on members’ behalf as part of the Home Office Employers Immigration Advisory group. As soon as we have more details we will update our members. 

GLAA Compliance Review

In light of the recent changes with virtual inspections and COVID restrictions introduced, the GLAA invited the REC and other parties to feedback on a series of meetings reviewing its compliance strategy. We are both keen to hear from members, so please get in touch. The GLAA is also running a series of sector-based webinars for businesses, the one on construction will take place on 21 October. To sign up to the webinar and to feedback on the compliance strategy, please email policy@rec.uk.com 

New CCS PIN

Crown Commercial Service have published the PIN for Permanent Recruitment 2; the replacement agreement for RM6002 permanent recruitment solutions for UK central government departments, including arms-length bodies (ALBs) and all other public sector bodies. Members can contact permanentrecruitment@crowncommercial.gov.uk (quoting the framework reference "RM6229") for further information.

REC Reports from Party Conferences

Earlier this month, the Labour and Liberal Democrat parties held their annual party conferences online. The REC’s views on what was discussed at each conference can be found respectively here: Labour and Liberal Democrats. The Conservative conference was held earlier this week and the REC’s views will be published later this week.

Research Corner

The September edition of Jobs Outlook has been published. Some of the key highlights include:

• Short-term demand for permanent placements rose to a net level of +11 in June-August.
• Confidence in making hiring and investment decisions was at net: -3 in June-August, indicating that the worsening trend of the lockdown has largely petered out.
• Confidence in the UK economy was at net: -44, showing the majority of employers still believe the economy’s prospects are worsening – but less dramatically than in April-June (net: -57).

The REC’s latest Report on Jobs is also being published today.

The Low Pay Commission is currently making deliberations on their advice to government on the National Living Wage. Following our oral and written evidence earlier in the year, last week we gave evidence to the Commission on what our data was showing on pay and starting salaries feeding in evidence from Jobs Outlook and Report on Jobs reports.

New Research Bitesize

The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need for recruitment businesses to be well-informed on changing labour market conditions so they can provide the strategic consultation their clients seek. Our new Research bitesize provides the most up-to-date information you need to better understand the jobs market and plan ahead. It brings together all the latest REC research and labour market developments. Leading recruitment businesses are increasingly using industry and jobs market data to:

• make better decisions for their business and identify new opportunities, including diversifying and specialising in certain sectors
• become strategic partners to existing clients by advising them on labour market trends, challenges and opportunities;
• demonstrate labour market expertise to prospective clients and win new business.

Events

Last month we held our webinar on the blue collar sectors – to catch up on the event you can read the Blue Collar blog.

Next week we have the REC Health & Social Care webinar on Wednesday 14 October 1pm-2:15pm. This will feature representatives from the Department of Health & Social Care, NHS England/Improvement, HealthTrust Europe and Workforce Alliance to discuss key issues within the sector.