Industry bodies have given a positive response to the government’s launch of the Employment White Paper ‘Building Britain’s recovery: Achieving full employment’.

John Cridland, CBI deputy director-general, said: “The UK’s flexible labour market has helped keep the jobless total during the recession lower than many had feared. We particularly welcome the ‘Back to Work’ guarantee. People who accept an offer of work should not be worse off than those who choose to reject it.”

Tom Hadley, the Recruitment  and Employment Confederation’s director of external relations, agrees: “The feedback from professional recruiters confirms that the longer people are out of work, the harder it is to access the right opportunities. Bringing forward some of the practical support for jobseekers is therefore welcomed.

“However, much will depend on the quality of the support provided which is why it is essential for the government to tap into the expertise and contacts of private sector recruitment agencies.”

On the new apprenticeship support scheme, which offers companies £2,500 to take on a 16-17-year-old apprentice, Cridland said: “We’re pleased that the government has adopted this CBI proposal from the summer to help deal with rising youth unemployment. The recession has left many firms struggling to provide apprenticeships, so this extra funding will be very welcome. This will give more young people a positive start to their careers.”

Recruitment agencies are already working with local Jobcentres to provide additional support to higher-end jobseekers. On the Jobcentre Plus reforms, Cridland said: “We hope that this additional focus will lead to simpler and better quality interaction with Jobcentres, making sure more candidates can use them as a route to getting back to work.

“Businesses appreciate the improvements already made to Jobcentre Plus, including changes to the Rapid Response Service and Local Employment Partnerships.”

The REC will be meeting with the Department for Work and Pensions and Jobcentre Plus early in the New Year to discuss some of the practical implications of the measures announced in the White Paper.