IoD press release Latest labour market figures are an indictment of government's employment policies
Responding to the latest ONS labour market data, Alex Hall-Chen, Principal Policy Advisor for Employment at the Institute of Directors, said:
“Today’s data shows a further softening of the labour market, with the number of payrolled employees down 0.1% on the month and an increase in the unemployment rate to 5.1%.
“These figures are an indictment of the government’s approach to employment policy; the combined effect of the Employment Rights Bill, employer’s National Insurance increase, and above-inflation increases to the National Living Wage are stifling employer demand for labour.
“While the government’s climbdown on day one unfair dismissal rights is a welcome step, this alone will not turn the tide on job creation. Significant movement on trade union reforms and guaranteed hours provisions, alongside measures to reduce the overall cost of employment, are needed to encourage employers to hire staff.”
