IR35 reform - REC drives industry proposals ahead of April 6th deadline
This week, the REC met with HMRC officials and other professional bodies such as the PCG, at the latest IR35 Forum, the group set up by the Treasury to improve the administration of the IR35 tax rules. The group was established by the Chancellor last year as part of the Government's drive to simplify business taxation.

REC’s JobsOutlook: Employer confidence remains steady
This month’s JobsOutlook report, from the REC, shows that employer confidence held up last month despite continuing economic uncertainty. The survey also revealed that the short-term outlook for agency staff is now stronger than a year ago, again demonstrating that the Agency Workers Regulations have not dampened employers’ plans for building flexibility into their workforces.

VAT - REC calls for HMRC to issue updated briefing for agencies
A major issue for recruiters has been the need for more clarity and consiwith HMRC on this issue.stency in the application of VAT rules for the supply of temporary staff in sectors such as healthcare, charities and financial services. The importance of ensuring a level playing field has been a key industry message back to Government and the REC has been in regular dialogue with HMRC on this issue.

Youth Employment - REC highlights careers challenge to Shadow Skills Minister
This week the REC took part in a parliamentary roundtable with Shadow Skills Minister Gordon Marsden MP, hosted by leading think tank Centre for Cities and the ICAEW.

REC Life Sciences meeting considers the possibility of a future 'skills crunch'
Holding their first general meeting of 2012, REC Life Sciences, the group for recruiters working in the life sciences industries, hosted an expert panel on the growing skills shortages facing the industry.

IRP and UK Recruiter staging special workshop on client relationships
The Institute of Recruitment Professionals (IRP) will be joining forces with UK Recruiter and Jobsite to host a professional development workshop in London.

Youth employment – REC response to Deputy PM’s plans to incentivise employers
The Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has today announced plans to incentivise employers and charities providing job opportunities to young people. Funding will be targeted at young people who are at the highest risk of long term unemployment.

REC/IRP – the week ahead
This is the weekly snapshot of REC and IRP activities including events, launches, external meetings and policy developments with implications for the recruitment industry.

Leading speaker joins stellar cast for 2012 CIETT Conference
The REC is today pleased to announce that Bryan Peña, Vice President of Staffing Industry Analysis, is the latest speaker to be confirmed CIETT’s World Employment Conference which the REC is hosting in London in May.

AWR latest – NI recruiters give their verdict
This week’s Policy Forum in Belfast provided the latest update on how the Agency Worker Regulations (AWR) are impacting in Northern Ireland. The feedback underlined the significant cost and bureaucracy that agencies have had to absorb but also confirmed that the demand for flexible staffing had remained strong and was increasing in some sectors.

Standards - GTCE closure will not jeopardise teacher supply, says REC Education
The abolition of the General Teaching Council for England (GTCE) from 31 March 2012 was confirmed in a letter this week from its Chief Executive Alan Meyric . The new Teaching Agency will take on some of the GTCE’s remit, but there will no longer be a formal registration scheme for teachers.

Public sector resourcing – Procurement of recruitment services must protect safety and sustainability of supply, says REC
The REC has been in dialogue with Cabinet Office and the Government Procurement Service (GPS), following recent Government announcements on changes to public procurement procedures. Immediate priorities have been to underline the need to recognise quality and safety of supply and to collate the initial feedback from public sector recruiters.