Ready to go in Leeds this morning for the @recpress.bsky.social #Yorkshire forum! Looking forward to welcoming our members for a great discussion - and delighted to be joined by Firefish Chief Fish Wendy McDougall to discuss scaling in 2025.

Again, Gov't decides name-calling agencies who are keeping the NHS going is better than actually having a workforce strategy. We're ready to help, if DH ever decide that behaving like adults rather than spinning a fiction like this is worthwhile.. (1/2) www.gov.uk/government/n...

The trend towards longer working lives has been underpinned by ‘increased longevity; older workers enjoying jobs in which experience allows more autonomy; and enlightened employers valuing this experience.’ says @chrisgiles.ft.com on.ft.com/4jrkugO

So proud of the work our @recpress.bsky.social members have done with Alice on our team - changing lives. More of this please! And another sign that partnership with the private recruitment sector is essential for any Government to achieve its Labour Market aims. www.rec.uk.com/our-view/new...

Today's @recpress.bsky.social #LabourMarketTracker with @lightcast.bsky.social backs up anecdote from #recruitment leaders - April more bumping along than bad, despite cost rises. New job postings up, while active postings dropped as old ones rolled off. More: www.rec.uk.com/our-view/new...

Always a pleasure to write for @cforlearning.bsky.social - a more rigid labour market driven by Labour reforms will further expose the paucity of the skills strategy in England. That’s one of the reasons why preserving flexibility matters - but it is also a case for addressing some key funding gaps.

This morning's @recpress.bsky.social #ReportOnJobs reports on #Recruiters’ April billings performance, produced in partnership with @kpmguk.bsky.social and @spglobalratings.bsky.social tl;dr - still weak, but sequential improvement and not as bad as April cost rises may have predicted. (1/)

Mobility is the oil of economic growth. Public concern about immigration is valid and domestic training essential - but unless this government works with businesses they will risk economic own goals. www.rec.uk.com/our-view/new...

Good to see our Standards guru Lorraine Laryea quoted with advice on avoiding recruitment scams here. Always work with a professional body member - look for the @recpress.bsky.social badge! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Hurrah! Though knowing the business, it was never in any doubt @moonexecsearch.bsky.social!

I'm travelling for @recpress.bsky.social today, so shorter thread than normal on Friday’s #ReportOnJobs, produced with our friends @kpmguk.bsky.social and @spglobalratings.bsky.social - the story is familiar from previous months, with a couple of interesting changes. (1/)

A peaceful Passover to all those celebrating, especially amongst our @recpress.bsky.social members and team. Chag Pesach Sameach!

To Bristol! Not only to take advantage of the classic Greggs breakfast deal, but more importantly to see our SW @recpress.bsky.social members all day. Best bit of the job - there’s quite a lot to discuss…

A warm #EidMubarak to all those celebrating, especially amongst our @recpress.bsky.social members and team.

This comment from my LinkedIn this week gets why the Government’s approach to healthcare staffing isn’t likely to succeed: “As a nurse who’s spent years covering agency shifts, this hit a nerve. The problem isn’t agency work — it’s how the system uses agency: (1/)

Today’s @recpress.bsky.social #JobsOutlook - our survey of hiring businesses across the UK, offers a little bit of positivity (just about!) on hiring. Taken before the Spring Statement, it shows a continuation of the improving trend in both firms' belief in themselves, and in the wider economy. (1/)

Thanks to @telegraphnews.bsky.social for allowing us to set out some NHS workforce realities this morning. Yes there are issues - but their aren’t about the presence of flexible workers in the NHS. If we worked together we could address them. @recpress.bsky.social is ready to help.

So #SpringStatement - growth is the story. If HMG is really focussed on it, some policies need to change - time to back business, not make life more difficult!

It might not seem like the major issue, but the historical illiteracy of an American administration complaining that freeloading Europeans haven't done enough to militarily control the Suez Canal is quite the thing, eh?

A pleasure to attend DBT Iftar event with Jonathan Reynolds and ambassadors last night. Pleased to represent so many superb Muslim recruitment leaders & professionals amongst our @recpress.bsky.social members Well chosen words from the Imam, who spoke to shared Christian and Muslim values.

Few surprises in today's official labour market data given the trends of the past few months. Inactivity down a bit (good), employment and unemployment both up a bit in response. If anything, on the good end of expectations, with vacancies flattening out.

A Happy St Patrick’s Day, especially to our friends at ERF in Ireland and our @recpress.bsky.social members in NI!

Happy “incredibly annoying three week period when all the UK and US time differences are wrong” to all who celebrate.

This morning, we've published the latest #ReportOnJobs, our report of @recpress.bsky.social members’ February performance and the most real-time indicator of the UK's labour market. Produced by us with S&P Global & @kpmguk.bsky.social tl;dr - still weak, but some positive signs. (1/)

Responding to the laying of amendments to the #EmploymentRightsBill, the REC Chief Executive @recneil.bsky.social

Amenments to the Employment Bill to be tabled today. @recpress.bsky.social members should remember that so much of what any new rules will be is to be decided and will be a matter for 2026. While including agency workers in scope isn’t ideal, its workability will be decided by what happens next.

Early start to talk to @bbcbreaking-bot.bsky.social for @recpress.bsky.social about business concerns on the Employment Rights Bill at a time when firms are facing a cascade of costs and shedding staff. Important that details of changes are not rushed. And it is light outside before half six!

Delighted to be back home today with #RECScotland members, meeting policy makers and hearing concerns and hopes from our @recmembers.bsky.social members in Scotland. Looking after our members always comes first. Also enjoyed the JTs winning my favourite sort of football match last night. All niggle

This morning we launch the Feb edition of #ReportOnJobs, based on @recmembers.bsky.social members billings data for Jan and gathered with @spglobalratings.bsky.social & @kpmguk.bsky.social tl;dr - Bank right to cut rates, as uncertainty in economy stays businesses' hands - esp given NI rise. (1/)

Today's @recpress.bsky.social #JobsOutlook - our survey of hiring businesses reflects the feedback I’ve heard from recruiters in Jan. Client confidence took a knock post-Budget, but is being worked through. Not great - but trend isn't bad. Firms saying that they will come to the market... (1/2)

To the immortal memory! 🥃🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

All labour supply is local… From discussing the vital role @recpress.bsky.social members play in getting people into work locally on last night’s One Show to talking about economic, political and workforce challenges in Gloucs today with 40 businesses and REC members Juice Recruitment.

Not secret though is it? That’s why you’ve just been able to send me a push notification about it…

After a busy day in Parliament y’day, delighted to be joining @wholeeducation.bsky.social #TrustNetworkConference today to talk about supporting our young people into positive adult lives as part of @recpress.bsky.social ongoing commitment to making great work happen in the UK. #WholeEducation

While it doesn’t resolve any longer term issues, today’s inflation data - especially the shift on services inflation, is objectively good news. Bank that, at least, team optimism!

Today's release of the @recpress.bsky.social #ReportOnJobs - as always produced with S&P Global and @kpmguk.bsky.social reports on #Recruiters trading experience in December. (tl;dr - post-Budget gloom slows the market - new year bounce needed). (1/)

Some excellent coverage of my new report with @smfthinktank.bsky.social, which was published today - including a great piece in The Times. Thanks to @recneil.bsky.social for his insights. Link to report: www.smf.co.uk/publications... www.thetimes.com/article/cdb4...

The good news, I guess, is we'll now get a one-off Borgen special, where Sidse Knudsen will wander around Greenland in snow camoflage looking simultaneously smouldering and incompetent, while back home the Agrarian Far Right threaten to bring down her 6-party government over the Pig Welfare Bill.

Happy New Year everyone, especially our @recpress.bsky.social members! Here’s to a prosperous and productive one..

Might do @houseofcommons.parliament.uk Business and Trade Committee in Jan like this. Give the narrative a lift. Sure @liambyrnemp.bsky.social won’t mind… Happy Christmas.

Happy Christmas to all our @recpress.bsky.social members! Our offices will close at lunchtime today (24th). The legal helpline will be open for any emergency asks on the working days between Christmas & New Year, from 10am until 2pm (that's Friday 27th, Monday 30th and Tuesday 31st).

Today’s official ONS #LabourMarket stats: as expected. Further cooling from post-pandemic rush. Vacancies only reaching pre-pandemic levels now. More concerning signs re: biz feedback and redundancy numbers. Shot of New Year confidence needed - fundamentals are ok, really.

Early start chatting jobs market & Govt policy with @bbcbreaking-bot.bsky.social - firms cautious now. NI rise, NMW rise & undercooked Employment Rights Bill all playing a role. If Govt wants growth - & fundamentals are good - take time with changes & make them practical for biz.

Real "Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane" energy here.

Here we go... the final @recpress.bsky.social #ReportOnJobs release of 2024 is our November REC members’ billings data, produced with our friends @kpmguk.bsky.social and S&P Global. tl;dr - no signs of momentum yet, firms continue to rely on temp, perm weakens quicker post-Budget. (1/)

Great to be in Dublin tonight for #ERFAwards - always the first night of Christmas! Love celebrating the great work of talent, staffing and recruitment professionals changing the world!

Great to join a group of REC members in The Sun today talking about the opportunities that are out there this Christmas! @recpress.bsky.social

Pleased to give evidence to the Employment Bill Committee in the House of Commons, raising concerns that REC members have about the plans with the Government Minister, Opposition and backbenchers. The REC is uniquely positioned to represent talent, staffing & recruitment firms.

Early shift - talking about Government labour market policies with Lukwesa Burak on BBC Business - big plan on getting UK working out today - but the private sector is key and Budget impact an issue.

Almost ready to welcome our guests for #RECAwards24 - see you soon #Recruiters!