The Government recently published the list of public bodies and quangos that are due to be reformed or culled. A number of these have a direct link to the recruitment industry and have worked closely with different REC Sector Groups so an initial priority has been to take stock of what the changes might mean for recruiters.
The Government’s announcement confirmed that 192 organisations will cease to be public bodies with their functions moved over to central or local Government or abolished all together. Organisations affected include the General Teaching Council (GTC), set to be abolished with essential functions transferring to the Department for Education, and the General Social Care Council (GSCC) which will see some of it’s functions transferred to the Health Professions Council.
One organisation that may have come under pressure is the Gangmaster Licensing Authority (GLA). However, the Government confirmed that this is not at risk.
Responding to the announcement, Marshall Evans, Group Operations Director of Staffline Group plc and Chair of the REC Employment Policy Committee (as well as the industry representative on the GLA Board), says:
“The REC has successfully countered any extension of licensing to other sectors. However, we strongly support the Gangmaster Licensing Authority (GLA) in its efforts to enhance compliance and we will continue to work constructively with the GLA and to represent the industry on the GLA Board. There is an ongoing need for all public bodies to demonstrate value and we are keen to ensure that enforcement activities in the food sector are as effective and as targeted as possible.”
Looking at the implications for recruiters in other sectors, Tom Hadley, the REC’s Director of Policy and Professional Services, said:
“There has been an ongoing debate over the effectiveness of quangos, the current expenditure squeeze has brought this to a head. Recruiters have been heavily engaged with bodies and such as the GTC and the GSCC and support the underlying aim of enhancing compliance and promoting safe recruitment – especially is areas such as teaching and care.
“Our concerns have focused on the ‘how’ rather than the ‘what’ with agencies regularly flagging their frustration at the bureaucratic overkill. Looking ahead, our priority is to monitor and influence proposed replacement measures and to continue promoting the pivotal role that recruitment agencies play within the whole safe recruitment agenda.”
