IoD press release Government must use Budget to reverse damage to employers' confidence to hire
Commenting on this morning’s release of ONS labour market data, Alex Hall-Chen, Principal Policy Advisor for Employment at the Institute of Directors, said:
“Today’s data points to a labour market that remains subdued, with vacancies down by 21,000 on the quarter and payrolled employees down 111,000 on the year.
“Demand for labour has been undermined by a succession of employment policies which have increased the cost and risk of hiring staff. The labour market is unlikely to strengthen until the Government tackles this cost of employment crisis.
“The upcoming Budget represents an opportunity for the Government to reverse the damage done by reducing the costs and administrative burdens associated with employment, giving businesses the confidence to recruit, invest and grow.
“Without such action, the Government’s ambitions to raise employment and tackle the youth NEET challenge are unlikely to be realised.”
