The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) believes the recruitment industry has a key role in fighting the rising tide of unemployment.

A roundtable discussion involving the REC and the shadow secretary of state for work and pensions, Theresa May, organised by Policy Exchange, a right of centre think-tank, starts today.

Speaking ahead the discussions, Tom Hadley, REC director of external relations, told Recruiter: “Some of the specific initiatives that the Conservative party are looking to take forward and that are likely to be discussed today include increased co-operation with the private sector in terms of employment initiatives and welfare reform and new localised  ‘jobclubs’.

“These are initiatives that recruiters could have direct input into and we need to be extremely pro-active in the run-up to the next election to position the industry as a key ally in the fight against rising unemployment.  Within this context, the role that temporary work can play in providing a crucial stepping-stone into the labour market is something that we need to continue talking up.

“The more that the contribution of the industry is recognised the better chance we have of avoiding any damaging legislation in the future and of ensuring that major policy developments such as pensions reform take on board the views and concerns of recruiters.”