CIPD calls for Budget commitment to joined-up workforce strategy
The CIPD has called on the Chancellor to bring skills, employment and AI policy together in a UK workforce strategy, with employers involved in shaping and delivering it.
Chief executive Neil Carberry wants a Budget commitment to connect workforce policy with the capabilities businesses need to improve productivity and grow.
‘A workforce strategy isn’t an optional extra to an economic growth strategy. It’s how we make one work,’ he said.
Carberry criticised the separation of government policy on skills shortages, economic inactivity, workforce health, employment regulation, migration, management capability and AI.
‘But employers don’t experience these issues separately. Nor do the people working for them,’ he said.
The CIPD wants skills policy tied to business demand and employment regulation considered alongside its effects on hiring decisions and economic performance.
Carberry called for AI policy to address job design, skills and leadership alongside technology investment. He also urged support for people to stay in work, develop and progress as part of efforts to reduce economic inactivity.
‘We need an approach that starts with the economy Britain wants to build and asks what kind of workforce, workplaces, and management capability will be needed to deliver it,’ he said.
Carberry asked for a clear commitment to bring the different strands of workforce policy together, with employers involved in shaping and delivering the approach.
He also urged the Chancellor to avoid further increases in employment costs. He said National Insurance increases and lower thresholds had damaged employment opportunities, particularly for younger people, and called for action on rising non-wage employment costs.