Getting the UK Working: Views from the top
Politicians and business figures share their views on the state of the employment system in the UK
"A
system that was originally designed to help support the poorest in
society is now trapping them."
Iain Duncan Smith, above, secretary of state for work and pensions
"The current approach to 14-16 year old work experience is of
little value. Placements are difficult to resolve, teenagers have
no idea what they want to do, employers find the task of providing
valuable experience a burden, and schools are bogged down in risk
assessments and bureaucracy"
Stephen Fox, CEO, BAM Nuttall
"Effectively it means that for every 10 young people a
company hires it gets one free. The government would be paying for
it completely, all employers do is provide the facilities, the
tools and the desks, there is no risk for the
company."
Albert Ellis, Harvey Nash CEO, on the suggested Young
Britain Credit
"There are already strong programmes around the country that are
delivering the long-term, collaborative partnerships that we know
work. They are rooted in the needs of the school, ensuring that the
school determines the priorities for the partnership, and business
deploys resource for greatest impact. The challenge now is to reach
every school, starting with the most in need."
Paul Drechsler, chairman and chief executive, Wates Group
"Enabling those who are dependent on the welfare system to take up
short-term contracts would have many positive benefits. The system
should be structured in a way that encourages individuals to take
up any opportunities available to them without causing them to risk
their home or security."
Chwarae Teg, Women and Workplace Innovation
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