Responding to today’s announcement that the UK has voted to leave the European Union, Recruitment & Employment Confederation Chief Executive Kevin Green says: 

“The vote to leave the EU is likely to usher in a challenging period for British business and for the UK labour market in particular. Our data has shown a slowdown in hiring as we approached the Referendum. We expect to see this period of uncertainty continue. 

“Nothing will change overnight. The Prime Minister’s statement this morning made clear that the Treasury is well prepared to support the markets and banks to ensure that business has liquidity. There will be a prolonged period of renegotiation and readjustment. During this time government needs to do everything possible to help businesses to grow and create jobs. 

“That involves outlining a timetable of renegotiation to help organisations make informed strategic decisions. We call on policy-makers to set out the plan for implementing changes to employment regulations such as the Agency Workers Directive and the Working Time Directive.  

“We need to ensure that British businesses continue to be able to get the people they need to fill the jobs available. Access to talent is absolutely vital to sustainable economic growth and prosperity. In sectors such as healthcare, education, hospitality, construction and manufacturing, workers from the EU are vital and any change to our immigration system needs to recognise that. 

“We hope that today’s Referendum result leads to a step-change in the way we prepare current and future jobseekers in the UK, so that new entrants to the jobs market are better equipped with the skills and attitude that employers need. Employers, educators and government must seize the initiative and create a pipeline of talent so that individuals and businesses continue to thrive in the post-EU era. Over the coming weeks we will be consulting our members so that the recruitment industry is ready to play its part.”