CBI says prioritise jobs and training for the young

The CBI has called on the government to make job creation, skills training and opportunities, especially for young people, the top priority in its COVID-19 recovery plans.

In a letter to the prime minister, the director-general of the business group, Carolyn Fairbairn has praised the way ministers, business and unions have worked together during the crisis.

But she insisted that job creation, skills training and opportunities, especially for young people, are the top priority in any economic recovery plans.

In particular, she called for job centres to be transformed into new Job & Skills Hubs to help create dynamic, local labour markets.

In the letter, the CBI also calls for a national programme to make every home a green home, starting with social housing.

‘The last few months have seen a nation rightly and relentlessly focused on health. That will remain the case for some time. But this must not stop the country from to implementing an ambitious economic recovery plan,’ said Dame Carolyn.

‘Amidst all the uncertainty, one thing is clear: the UK will only build back fast and better through a market-driven plan that supports sustainable growth. Dynamic enterprise is the only way to unleash the potential of our country and get ahead,’ she added.

‘A world class test and trace system is the foundation for a UK that is safe to visit, invest in, work and study in. Two other priorities also stand out: jobs, especially for young people; and investment.

‘Redundancies will rise fast over the autumn as support schemes, especially the Jobs Retention Scheme, wind down. Past recessions show the impact of joblessness is deeply uneven.

‘Without immediate intervention, pre-crisis inequalities across regions, gender and race will worsen. Long term unemployment will leave generational scars. And business investment will need to bounce back fast to create the jobs of the future,’ she added.

‘Time is of the essence. Smart, fast policy is needed now to accelerate the process to minimise the human cost and in particular protect the futures of our young people. Together with our members and in consultation with the unions, the CBI has developed simple, implementable proposals that can be acted on now to create the best possible recovery.’

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