With the latest official
unemployment figures causing increasing concern, new government, however it may
look, must focus on the broad outline of economic and employment policy.

Dr John Philpott, an economic
adviser to CIPD has said: “The UK jobs market remains fragile with tentative
signs of increased hiring by private sector employers offset by mounting
pessimism in the public sector, and employers in general still very uncertain
about the strength of the economic recovery.

“While the
post-General Election political uncertainty is of evident concern to the
financial markets, life goes on much as usual in the real economy of business
and commerce. But employers are looking for a lasting political settlement and,
in particular, clarity on the shape of economic and employment policy that will
help inform decisions about staffing levels. Without this, hopes for any marked
improvement in job prospects later this year will be dashed. 

Dr Philpott
added: “Although I would not expect the full detail of economic and employment
policy to emerge before a formal Budget statement, whoever forms the next
government should publish an immediate outline policy statement with particular
reference to the timing of deficit reduction measures, plans for any change to
employers’ National Insurance contributions, and the scope of welfare to work
policy.

“Everyone
acknowledges the severity of the UK’s fiscal crisis, but the jobs market
challenge is equally serious. For jobs sake, the government must get to work
without delay.”