Over the next few days, the three main political parties are publishing their manifestos. But what do they mean to recruiters? Labour manifesto highlights the following pledges which could have specific implications for recruitment as well as for resourcing in the public sector.
Economy and jobs:
•An expectation that the economy will create one million new skilled jobs, of which 400 000 are green jobs, by 2015;
•New growth sectors for jobs are seen as low-carbon, digital and creative industries, life sciences and professional services in business, healthcare and education;
•200 000 new jobs or training places through the Future Jobs Fund;
•The National Minimum Wage to rise in line with average earnings;
•The Living Wage for workers in Whitehall;
•Allowing parents to share maternity leave to allow for fathers to stay at home for up to six months on top of a further ‘Fathers’ Month’ of four weeks paid leave.
Public service commitments which could have staff resourcing implications:
•Creating more flexible childcare options;
•More Academies and co-operative trust schools;
•Plans to attract committed graduates and ‘career switchers’ into teaching;
•A radical overhaul of social work training;
•Expanded role for nurses in primary care;
•More care for the elderly in their own homes;
•Longer GP opening hours.
•A guarantee that a worker will be £40 per week better off if they move from benefits into work;
•The Low Pay Commission will look at career progression in low-skilled, low-paid jobs;
•No low skilled migration from outside of the EU;
•Public procurement to give priority to local people’s access to jobs.
Employment legislation:
•Continuing emphasis on cracking down on employers who break the rules;
•Extension of licensing to construction only if it can be shown to be the best way to enforce employment rights;
•Encourage employers to make greater use of pay reviews and equality checks to tackle pay gaps;
