Amplified drive from the government essential for fueling advancement and productivity in UK workplaces
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), a leading professional body for HR and people development, has emphasised the need for a more joined-up workforce strategy to effectively address the UK's productivity and living standards challenges.
In response to the government's recently announced spending review, the CIPD has highlighted several key areas that require attention.
**Skills Development**
The CIPD stresses the urgent need for clear government policy and investment in training and apprenticeships, not only for young people but also to support employers in upskilling their existing workforce. This is crucial to tackle widespread skills shortages and support growth beyond the current industrial strategy sectors.
**Health of the Workforce**
Improving workforce health is highlighted as a critical aspect alongside skills and productivity challenges. The CIPD calls for government policies that better support occupational health and workplace wellbeing to boost overall performance across sectors.
**Technology Adoption and Best Practices**
Accelerating the adoption of new technologies and management best practices is seen as essential for raising productivity. The CIPD urges the government to incorporate this into a holistic workforce strategy that connects skills development, innovation, and business support.
**Employment Regulation**
While welcoming the government’s roadmap for the Employment Rights Bill—which aims to improve worker rights and raise living standards—the CIPD emphasises the need for phased implementation and clear guidance. This is particularly important for smaller businesses, which require support to navigate new employment regulations without risking non-compliance. The CIPD values the role of Acas in providing this support and stresses ongoing collaboration to help employers adapt successfully.
However, there is concern that the spending review does not seem to address these challenges sufficiently. In particular, there is no mention of additional resources for Acas or the labour market enforcement system in the Chancellor's speech, which is concerning for businesses as they prepare to implement new employment regulations.
Ben Willmott, head of public policy at the CIPD, commented on the plans, stating, "The government's spending review needs a joined-up workforce strategy for the UK, encompassing improvements in policy around skills, business support, employment relations, occupational health, and labour market enforcement."
In summary, the CIPD calls for a coherent, well-resourced government workforce strategy that integrates skills policy, workforce health, technology adoption, and employment regulation with strong business support. They underline that such a strategy is necessary to drive productivity gains and improve living standards across the UK.
[1] Skills England's role is crucial in addressing skills shortages and supporting growth beyond the proposed industrial strategy sectors. [2] The absence of additional resources for Acas and the labour market enforcement system could hinder the effective implementation of the new employment regulations. [3] The plans need to show greater ambition to improve productivity and living standards across the country.
- To effectively address the UK's productivity and living standards challenges, it's essential for the government to invest in education-and-self-development, such as Skills England, for comprehensive skills development beyond the proposed industrial strategy sectors.
- Adequate financing for organizations like Acas and the labor market enforcement system is vital, as their role in providing support to businesses in navigating new employment regulations is critical, ensuring a smooth transition and compliance with the changing workforce landscape, thereby promoting finance, business, and careers growth.
