The Prime Minister has launched a review into the future of work, to be headed by Matt Warman MP.
The review comes just days after the much anticipated Employment Bill was omitted from the Queen's Speech.
Future of Work Review
The new Future of Work Review will focus upon how best the Government can support the labour market going forward, and "to assess what the key questions to address on the future of work are as we look to build back better from the pandemic."
Nevertheless, as highlighted above, this new review comes just days after the Employment Bill was omitted from the Queen's Speech, a Bill which was supposed to enact many of the recommendations of the previous major review into employment law, the Taylor Review.
So what is the point of yet another review? Many are sceptical. Rebecca Seeley Harris, the founder of ReLegal Consulting, for instance, slammed the new review. She said: "This seems absolutely ridiculous, considering they haven't responded to most of the previous reviews. Most of the Taylor Review recommendations have yet to be implemented; the government have yet to respond to the Employment Status consultation from 2018, and there was no Employment Bill in the Queen's Speech this year."
Chris Bryce, the chief executive of the Freelancer & Contractor Services Association, added: "All these reviews and calls for evidence and pre-legislation consultations cost participants time and money...I just hope this [new review] isn't a ‘kick it into the long grass’ tactic. The Taylor Review was well-balanced and meaningful, but Her Majesty’s government hasn't acted on it...It does become a little disheartening to see that effort come to naught. So often."
The Need To Futureproof
Whilst many have expressed exasperation that little has come of previous reviews, there is nevertheless some recognition that the Future of Work Review may have a useful role to play in terms of identifying changes and trends in the labour market, and what needs to be done to adapt and futureproof. Andy Chamberlain, the Director of Policy at the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE), for example, argues that:"Technological changes such as automation and virtual working, as well as a shift in attitudes to work which has been compounded by the pandemic, mean that traditional 9-to-5 employment is likely to become less common."
Chamberlain adds: "It is essential that policy makers understand these changes, so that they can design public policy around how people increasingly want to shape their working lives. We also hope that this new review builds on the work done by Matthew Taylor in 2017. The government remains committed to carrying out several of Taylor’s recommendations, not least of which is clarifying employment status rules which continue to cause a great deal of confusion and disruption for workers and hirers alike."
Timeframe
The Future of Work review will be conducted over the spring and summer of 2022, with a written report with recommendations to then be submitted to the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister stated: "Tackling the economic challenges of today means helping more people into high-wage, high-skilled jobs and this review will look at how we can equip people with the skills they need to thrive in the workplace no matter where they’re from."
The head of the Future of Work Review, Matt Warman MP, added: "The nature of work is changing at a rapid pace and Britain is uniquely positioned to seize new opportunities. Businesses big and small have evolved how they work hugely in the last two years, and employees today need different skills and protections to thrive. Getting that balance right will provide tangible economic and social benefits to both companies and working people."
