This week’s Conservative gathering in Manchester completed the trilogy of extraordinary 2019 party conferences. As with the Lib Dem and Labour conferences, team REC was on the ground and in among it, picking up on specific labour market announcements of relevance to the industry and taking forward priority issues for recruiters.

Amid the furore around the toxic political culture, the ongoing Brexit psycho-drama and the recalling of Parliament, discussions in Manchester focused on a number of tangible jobs market issues including pay, skills, immigration policy and automation. At the same time, Brexit dominated the #CPC19 agenda under the banner of ‘Get Brexit Done’, and with Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s new offering to Brussels waiting in the wings.

Of specific interest to the recruitment sector was the speech by new Work and Pensions Secretary Thérèse Coffey, which honed in on record employment levels and included the announcement of a new £4m package to support people in finding their “dream job”. We can expect further details on this over the coming weeks. The REC/DWP Partnership Agreement will continue to provide a strong platform for the industry to work closely with government and emerging labour market challenges.

Elsewhere, Chancellor Sajid Javid announced that the National Living Wage (NLW) will rise to £10.50 within five years. The recruitment sector will continue to be a key voice in the debate around pay and progression, and industry data on starting salaries is already used as a key reference point by the Bank of England and the Low Pay Commission. Business secretary Andrea Leadsom announced plans to “make the UK the best place in the world to work or to start a business” and to reduce red tape. Fighting for a regulatory environment that helps brilliant recruiters to thrive is at the forefront of REC campaigning activities.

On skills, education secretary Gavin Williamson announced plans to establish an expert Skills and Productivity Board, and we will ensure that the insight of recruitment professionals is fed into this new working group. Tech and AI are hot topics for policy makers, as well as for business leaders. The recruitment sector can take a lead with the future of jobs and it was great to see Johnny Luk, head of policy and strategy at Adecco Group, speaking alongside George Freeman MP at an event on using new tech to grow businesses.

The home secretary Priti Patel underlined plans for an Australian-style, points-based immigration system and highlighted the need for the UK to “access the brightest and the best”. Industry research and practical insight from recruiters will be pivotal in emphasising the need to attract workers into a wide range of roles and sectors such as care, hospitality and logistics – not just high-end jobs. With ‘Report on Jobs’ data showing candidate availability declining month-on-month in many sectors, we must continue to proactively make the case for evidence-based immigration policy.

Away from the main hall, fringe events in Manchester were an opportunity to take forward core industry messages – particularly the importance of a flexible workforce to meet the needs of businesses, schools and the NHS. The debate around pay and progression will add further momentum to our ‘Training for Temps’ campaign to broaden the Apprenticeship Levy. All recruiters and agency workers can support by signing the live petition.

In these tumultuous political times, taking part in all the main party conferences has felt a bit like being in the eye of the storm. Whatever transpires over the coming weeks and month, we will remain on the front foot in championing brilliant recruitment, which drives our economy and delivers opportunity to millions.

Neal Suchak, policy adviser at the REC

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