Government gets 5/10 for jobs, opportunity creation, says REC
The coalition government gets only average marks for its progress so far on creating opportunities and jobs, in a report published today from the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC).
Ahead of the 5 December Autumn Statement, the REC has given the government an overall score of five out of 10, based on progress in 18 priority areas identified in the trade body’s Manifesto in 2010.
The report (see front cover, left), ‘Creating opportunities and jobs: half-term report on government progress and recommendations for action’, claims that the government has made no progress or taken the wrong action in the following areas:
- Ensuring that SMEs get a fair chance of securing public sector contracts
- Cancelling the increase in employers’ National Insurance Contributions planned for 2011 which will hinder growth and be a tax on jobs
- Reviewing the Agency Workers Regulations to ensure they are easy to operate for employers and agencies alike
- Ensuring that immigration policy reflects the skills needs of UK business and is based on robust labour market data
- Building on the Young Persons Guarantee by radically improving young people’s readiness for the world of work.
The report also says that the government is on course for delivery in seven areas and has made some progress in a further six.
In addition, it calls on government to deliver key policy outcomes in the second half of this parliament, which include creating a step change in HMRC enforcement of tax rules, improving SMEs’ access to public sector contracts and providing better support for young jobseekers.
REC chief executive Kevin Green (pictured right) said in a prepared statement: “David Cameron, George Osborne and their ministerial colleagues have talked a good game but have not delivered in enough key areas. As we enter the second half of this parliament, we are calling on the government to be brave, bold and confident.”
To see the entire report, visit 'Creating opportunities and jobs: half-term report on government progress and recommendations for action’.
