The REC has renewed its call for unity among recruiters after more than 50 agencies, many of them REC members, sought separate representation to the DTI via the services of Lawspeed, a legal consultancy.

According to Lawspeed MD Adrian Marlowe, the agencies requested external guidance on the Employment Agencies Act Regulations following what they saw as the failure of the REC to represent their concerns about their effect on the contract market.

‘My clients’ perception is that the REC didn’t have sufficient knowledge of the contracting industry,’ said Marlowe. ‘We are facilitating a coordinated approach to the DTI that enables agencies who haven’t already been heard to make their opinions known.’ Lawspeed is representing small- and medium-sized clients who place contractors in the IT, telecommunications and engineering market.

Marlowe was keen to stress that the agencies in question are not a ‘splinter group’: ‘There is no political aspect to my clients’ desire for representation,’ he insisted, claiming that he wished to work with the REC, but that ‘they have declined to deal with us’.

The REC reacted by calling for an end to in-fighting. ‘We don’t need to split any more as an industry,’ said DP Connect’s Toni Cocozza, chair of the REC’s IT division. ‘We should all be singing from the same songsheet.’

Commenting on Lawspeed’s representation to the DTI, Cocozza said: ‘Lawspeed is acting in its own commercial interests. They are being paid to represent these companies. The REC is the only group in a position to lobby the government.’

Cocozza further warned against ‘scare-mongering’: ‘We need to collaborate or it’ll mean the destruction of us all,’ she said.