To discuss your needs and how we can support you -
request a callback using the form below.
On 23rd June, the Department for Business and Trade published the long-awaited UK Industrial Strategy a 10-year plan designed to boost growth and investment across eight key sectors: life sciences, advanced manufacturing, digital technology, defence, clean energy, finance, professional and business services, and the creative industries. A full analysis note will be shared after publication. The document is set to include an extra £1.2bn by 2028-29 to transform the skills system.
This will include:
The Strategy will include visa and migration reforms designed to support talented individuals to move to the UK to work in high-growth sectors, alongside a new Global Talent Taskforce.
The Industrial Strategy will be accompanied by five Sector Plans for Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy, the Creative Industries, Digital and Technologies, and Professional and Business Services. Full details will be published on Gov.UK shortly.
Following recent engagement with peers and Minister Madders we have drafted a detailed pro forma letter for members to use to write in their business or personal capacities (or both) to their constituency MPs. We underestimate the power we have as individuals to impact legislation through this route. Time is of the essence so please download, fill in your details, adapt as you see fit and send this week! Time is running short in Parliament to change the Bill.
The Government’s impact assessments are light on detail. They need to know the impacts of the reforms on business and the labour market. We also need to look forward to regulation on guaranteed hours provisions and how we can exclude or limit exposure to temps and contractors. With that in mind find a list of questions here to consider. If you can respond as soon as possible by COB 25th June that will be of most use to us.
APSCo was involved in a meeting with HMT, HMRC and other stakeholders recently. HMT confirmed that subject to ministerial sign off the direction of travel was to legislate joint strict liability between the recruiter contracting directly with the client and the umbrella ( or umbrella and client if no recruiter). Primarily this would be to allow HMRC to resolve more minor technical underpayment issues with the umbrella although primarily they would refer to the recruiter for underpayment.
They also expect umbrellas to continue to report PAYE under their reference number (ERN), which is more straightforward for recruiters, again this is the direction of travel, and not final.
Online Meeting for Education Sector members
3rd July 11-12pm
This consultation seeks to gather evidence and views on (i) How to define 'school support staff' - to confirm which staff are within the SSSNB's remit; (ii)Current pay and conditions arrangement and (iii) Whether to include agency workers in the scope of the SSSNB in future legislation.
We urge education members to submit responses themselves as it is an online survey and volume of responses matter. Please also circulate to your agency workers and your schools and encourage them all to respond.
We will also be submitting our own response, and this meeting is to collect our members’ views. If you do register please do read the consultation document before the meeting.
The Bill continues its long passage through Lords Committee Stage, which began on Tuesday 29th April. The Report Stage of the Bill has yet to be announced, but APSCo will provide Peers with an updated briefing note ahead of time.
On 19th June, the UNISON national conference formally welcomed the Employment Rights Bill, while noting that there is more to be done and that they would push the Labour Government to ensure that it does not ‘water down’ any clauses ahead of Lords Report Stage.
The Bill achieved Royal Assent on 19th June and will be implemented by the Department for Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSIT).
To discuss your needs and how we can support you -
request a callback using the form below.
Apply below and a member of the team will be in touch to discuss how APSCo membership can transform your business.