The CIPD manifesto highlights the current challenges that the government faces in boosting the economy, improving living standards and achieving net zero. To overcome these challenges, the manifesto recognises that the government requires a strategic vision and a long-term workforce plan. This plan should be underpinned by the themes of skilled, healthy and fair work to attract more people to work and invest in the UK.

Skilled, healthy and fair work recommendations

The manifesto calls on the government to ensure that the UK skills system and relevant policies seek to boost the economy and meet the needs of all employers. The CIPD recommendations to achieve this goal include establishing a new industrial strategy council which would have influence across the economy with a strong focus on improving job quality. The CIPD also urges the government to reform the Apprenticeship Levy, which it describes as "failing", into a more flexible "skills levy" and create more high-quality vocational training opportunities and ways into employment for school and college leavers. The manifesto highlights the need to ensure the immigration system is flexible and designed to address critical skills shortages, including review and, where necessary, the extension of the shortage occupation list.

To embody the principle of "healthy work", the manifesto encourages the government to work with employers to foster healthy and productive workplaces. The CIPD recommends abolishing the "worker" status to improve the employment rights of vulnerable workers by making all "workers" formally employees to align status for both tax and employment purposes. The recommendations also include reforming statutory sick pay by raising the rate to the equivalent of the National Living Wage. The manifesto also explains the need for a taskforce on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the workplace. This taskforce would review and consider any changes needed to UK employment law due to the ever-changing development of AI and the potential risks which it poses to workers' health and employment rights.

To achieve fairer work in the UK, the manifesto highlights the need to improve equality of access to employment and progression, predominantly among disadvantaged groups, whilst also addressing skills shortages. The recommendations for fairer work include increasing statutory paternity leave to six weeks (to be paid at or near the full rate of pay) and creating a legal right for two weeks' bereavement leave for all employees experiencing the bereavement of a close family member or dependant. The CIPD also advocates that shared parental leave should be reviewed and reformed to increase its uptake.

Comment

The manifesto suggests practical steps that the UK government could take to ensure a healthier, fairer and more skilled workforce in the UK. Employee mental health is a priority of the recommendations. The manifesto states that workers' rights under the Equality Act 2010 should be enforced by a strong enforcement body which should be able to require that employers take action, or issue fines for non-compliance and compensation for those affected.

While it cannot yet be seen how the CIPD manifesto will shape future reforms to UK employment law, it is clear that the CIPD believes improvements are needed to the UK labour market.

For assistance in making changes in your workplace, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our Employment Team who would be happy to provide advice or guidance.