The prime minister, in a speech to the TUC Conference in Liverpool today, indicated that the Agency Workers Directive will be included in the new legislative programme for the next parliamentary session, meaning that the directive cannot be implemented in April 2010.

REC’s chief executive Kevin Green says: “This is a welcome development and shows that the government is listening to the voice of the recruitment industry.”

“Last week, REC’s Report on Jobs showed that temporary and permanent placements were beginning to rise after nearly 18 months of decline. The availability of a flexible labour force will be key for struggling businesses climbing out of a recession.”

“Any early implementation of the directive could kill off these green shoots. REC will continue to lobby strongly on the delay of the implementation of this directive at the end of 2011.”