Keenan Recruitment's MD Aideen Duggan gives a reflection on her visit to Westminster.

 

'Research from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) shows the economic impact of not addressing labour shortages could see the UK GDP up to £39 billion lower every year from 2024 than it could have been.'

 

I had the pleasure of attending a parliamentary reception at the House of Commons recently (24 January) with REC, to officially launch their ‘Overcoming shortages – How to create a sustainable labour market’ report. A diligently and methodically researched report that proves REC’s appetite to educate on helping to ease pressures in the labour market.

It is no secret that we have severe labour and skills shortages nationwide, it is something that we have been discussing in detail over the last few years. What is happening now though, is strategically both main parties in government are clubbing together and working with REC and businesses throughout the UK to combat the shortages.

 

 

Recommendations recorded for both government and businesses in the report include:

Immigration: how to support critical labour market needs

Skills: how to boost investment and prepare for the future

Levelling up: how to make local labour markets realise their potential

Employment rights: how to support everyone in the labour market

 

Speakers:

Minister for Employment Guy Opperman importantly talked about REC’s suggestions on improving access to work through childcare for those with caring responsibilities, to help carers, parents and grandparents stay in or seek work without the fear of cost or quality implications.

A good point from Guy Opperman was his interest in government’s ‘Mid-life MOT’ when workers in their 40s and 50s take a step back and look at their finances, health and skillset. Now is the time for us 70s and 80s kids to build financial resilience and prepare for a more robust retirement.

 

(Guy Opperman)

 

Shadow Employment Rights Minster Justin Madders discussed Labour’s New Deal for Working People and how thousands of people want to get back into work. He spoke enthusiastically about the need for flexible working as a day one right and extending statutory payments including sick pay and paternal leave to make available to all workers.

 

(Justin Madders)

 

Chair of the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee Lord Bridges of Headley commented on his committee’s report (Dec 2022) ‘Where have all the workers gone?’ and how earlier retirement is one of the biggest contributors to putting added pressure on public finances. The £30-£39 billion at risk from labour shortages should focus the mind.

 

(Lord Bridges of Headley MBE)

 

REC CEO Neil Carberry cleverly closed the event by stating that positive change is not all about government. The Overcoming shortages report gives recommendations to government and businesses. Collectively we can make a change.  

 

(REC CEO Neil Carberry)

 

The event was kindly hosted by Neil Carberry and Sarah Thewlis, sponsored by Jim Shannon MP from our side of the pond. It was lovely to hear Jim Shannon speak so passionately.

 

 

The report’s conclusion:

“Business and government have a duty to overcome shortages if we want to create sustainability in our labour market. Rather than talking about the problems we face, we now need solutions and action.”