Jo West, Director of Industrial Division, Rubicon Recruitment Group, answers your questions.

Q: It’s been a turbulent year and the Chancellor of the Exchequer delivered his Spending Review during the second national lockdown. What were the recruitment and staffing implications that employers should be aware of?

The main ‘takeaway’ is that the National Living Wage (NLW) will rise by 2.2% to £8.91 per hour and will be extended to those aged 23 and over, affecting approximately 2 million employees.

Q: The skills shortage, in large part the product of so many baby boomers retiring, is still a major cause for concern within many businesses. Was this covered in the speech?

£375 million is being invested in a Lifetime Skills Guarantee initiative to give adults the chance to take free college courses valued by employers. There was also a welcome commitment to making the apprenticeship system work better for businesses.

Q: And was there any mention of additional support for job seekers?

Yes.  To combat the significant upcoming hike in unemployment, the government will be investing £3bn in a three-year Restart programme for, primarily older, people who have been out of work for more than 12 months. Additionally, a further £1.4bn will be invested to increase the capacity of Jobcentre Plus.

• Rubicon continue to support a wide range of businesses with their immediate recruitment needs as well as providing permanent staff, contractors and temps to a wide range of business in and around Dorset and Hampshire. If you need help, as an employer, a temp worker, a contractor and/or as a potential applicant for a permanent job, then please get in touch by calling 01202 680311 or emailing WeWork@RubiconPeople.co.uk