CIPD responds to King’s Speech: ‘Partnership is key to unlocking economic potential’

Ben Willmott, head of public policy for the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, said:

“Working in close partnership with employers and business bodies will be key to the government achieving its aims of boosting skills, employment and unlocking the UK’s economic potential.”

On changes to employment rights:

“We welcome the government’s intention to work in partnership with business as it implements its New Deal for Working People. Plans to introduce day one employment rights and other employment law changes will need thorough consultation with employers, and potentially compromise in places, to ensure any changes have a positive impact on workplace practices and employment opportunities.

“It's crucial that changes to employment legislation don’t discourage employers from taking on permanent staff or providing flexible employment opportunities that can benefit people who need to fit work around care, study or health needs for example.”

On skills:

“We welcome reform of the Apprenticeship Levy into a more flexible Growth and Skills Levy. The CIPD have been calling for change in this area, on behalf of our members and businesses, for several years to help reverse the decline in apprenticeships for young people and make it easier for employers to use their levy funds to upskill their existing workforce.

“The establishment of Skills England can provide a further boost to business skills investment, bringing together the key players needed to ensure that reform of the levy is a success, and training and development is more aligned with business and learner needs.”

On the introduction of an Industrial Strategy Council:

“The commitment to establishing an Industrial Strategy Council will prove crucial in supporting economic growth. However, it’s essential that industrial strategy looks at the whole of the economy and isn’t just focused on boosting R&D, high tech and green energy sectors, crucial as they are.

“It must also consider the everyday economy, powered by sectors like retail, hospitality, transport, logistics and social care. Improving skills, people management practices and technology adoption in these sectors will be key to raising productivity across the economy.”

English Devolution Bill:

“There are some real opportunities in devolving greater powers over skills and employment support and joining these things up at a local level. But it’s important that employer voices are brought in at a national and local level in a way that ensures support is joined up.”

On helping more people get back into work after the pandemic:

“Long-term health issues have a significant impact on people’s ability to work so it’s vital that the government takes steps to help people get into and stay in work where they are able. Health policy is economic policy, they can’t be treated in silos. It’s crucial that the government works with employers to prioritise employee health and wellbeing if we’re to tackle the dual challenge of a tight labour market and an ageing workforce with more complex health needs.”