Getting Britain working

Embracing flexibility and security for the next generation of workers

The UK’s labour market faces major challenges. Many workers lack the basic skills needed to enter the workforce, and those in work are at risk from automation and decarbonisation. These problems are not felt evenly across the country, with young people in post-industrial towns particularly lacking the opportunities to secure a good job. And Covid has raised further questions for firms over home working flexible hours and four day weeks.

As the Government looks to get the economy firing on all cylinders again, policymakers need to consider new models of employment that balance security for workers with flexibility for businesses to innovate and grow.

This panel event will consider the future of work. It will be a chance to discuss how to bring more people into the labour market, develop skills to support businesses, and boost employee wellbeing and satisfaction. It will highlight how successful firms rely on thriving places – which marry both economic opportunity with a strong social fabric and sense of belonging. And it will identify the key demands of the new generations entering the workforce, while separating them from the workplace fads which often garner media attention.

To watch online, please click here

Additional information

Speakers:

• Rt Hon Chloe Smith MP, Secretary of State at the Department for Work and Pensions
• Leigh Purnell, Founder and CEO, Petalite
• Monica Arino, Director of Public Policy UK & Ireland, Amazon
• Lizzy Burden, EMEA Economics & Government Correspondent, Bloomberg (Chair)

This event has already taken place. Please see our full events list for details of our other events.