Ministers need to offer parents better childcare support if they are going to encourage more people into work, a business chief will say today.
There are currently more than one million job vacancies in the UK as many firms struggle to fill roles.
In a speech today, Confederation of British Industry director general Tony Danker will warn that parents are being forced to limit the hours they work because affordable childcare is not available.
He will say: “Everyone in politics agrees, the UK’s labour market is struggling. In the wake of the pandemic, tens of thousands of older workers have left the workforce.
“There is a growing number of people unable to work because they’re experiencing long-term ill-health. Just when the NHS is on its knees trying to cope with current demand.
“Childcare is expensive in the UK – amongst the highest in the OECD (group of nations). And it’s keeping parents who want to work at home or limiting their hours.”
Mr Danker will also warn that the British economy is losing out on billions of pounds because the government is not doing enough to embrace green technology.
“While our competitors across Europe, Asia and the US are making their move – and going hell for leather, we seem to be second guessing ourselves – and hoping for the best,” he will say.
“It’s time for us to take those hard decisions, generating the forward momentum not only to limit recession this year but also get us really growing next.
“And in turn, deliver wages that really are higher; skills that really do matter; and public services restored at last.”
Mr Danker will say that he “cares so much” about economic growth because of the impact on people.
“People in this country who’ve had pay rises but not as high as price rises; people who know their jobs are changing and want to be reskilled or upskilled for new and better-paid jobs.” he will add.
“This is about people who recognise that the health service needs more money; schools need more money; transport needs more money. But there isn’t any more money. Because there isn’t any growth. ”
He will go on: “I’m also a realist. And denial of where our economy is right now compared to our international competitors, is the surest way to leave the UK’s growth prospects faltering this decade.
“The current CBI forecast is that the PM should comfortably hit his pledge of getting the economy growing by the end of the year – by 0.1%. But my argument is that if our policies today aim for 0.1% growth, it’s the most we’ll ever achieve.”
Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has vowed to “completely reimagine the childcare system” if Labour wins the next election.
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