The Conservative Party’s Spring Forum focused on several initiatives which could have a direct bearing on the recruitment industry and jobs market. The REC attended this event and provided an industry perspective at a number of the fringe events.

At the heart of the discussions were proposals to cut public spending and allied with this, the need for transparency over the salaries paid to top public officials, which in turn could have implications for executive search firms who specialise in working with the public sector.

Tom Hadley, the REC’s Director of External Relations, who attended the Forum, said: “Our priority is to get our message across to the Conservatives about the positive contribution of agency work within the public sector to avoid it being cast as another example of expenditure which could be systematically cut.

“To this end, we will be following up with key Shadow Cabinet members to highlight both the benefits of temporary staff in the public sector through the role good recruitment plays in delivering front-line services and also how using the support of executive search companies could actually be cost-effective.”

Other topics discussed at the Forum included the “localisation agenda”, which could give to local authorities and NHS trusts having more autonomy, could impact on public procurement mechanisms, including NHS PASA contracts.

Employment issues were headlined by an initiative for job clubs in which the Conservative Party would involve both local businesses and in some instances, recruitment agencies, in conjunction with local MPs and Parliamentary candidates.

The Forum did concur with the REC’s views on the proposed increase on National Insurance Contributions which was described as a “tax on jobs.” Reviewing this increase was one of the key measures which the REC outlined in its submission to the Chancellor ahead of last week’s Budget.

Source:
http://www.rec.uk.com/
http://www.rec.uk.com/press/news/632