Major reforms planned to skills and employment policy will require careful consultation, warns the CIPD, UK’s HR body

In response to the general election results Peter Cheese, chief executive of the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, comments: “We welcome the new Government and look forward to working closely with them to build a stronger, more skilled and more resilient workforce.

“Labour has said it will put partnership working with employers and trade unions at the heart of its plans to transform the economy. The next 100 days will be a crucial test of that pledge as it starts work implementing a new skills agenda and the New Deal for Working People.

“The New Deal is a complex area so it is crucial the Government engages with employers and the HR profession, who will be at the forefront of any changes to workplace regulations and practices.

“Proposals to introduce day one employment rights, and other employment law changes, need to be worked through in genuine partnership with employers and trade unions, through consultation and potential compromise. A workplace commission could bring together government, employer representatives and trade unions in one forum to help build consensus.

“Partnership with employers will also be crucial to the success of Labour’s new Growth and Skills Levy. This is something that the CIPD has consistently campaigned for and we are pleased to see this reset finally happen. We look forward to working with the new Government to ensure that a reformed, more flexible levy can boost apprenticeship provision for young people and make it easier for employers to upskill their existing workforce.

“Effective skills and employment policy can help create a thriving economy that benefits individuals and businesses. The CIPD is ready to provide its expertise, and that of our profession, to support the new Government in shaping policies to create better work and better working lives.”

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The new Government must put partnership at the heart of its first 100 days