Chancellor George Osborne’s Autumn Statement may be the most anticipated in many years given current economic turmoil, and Recruiter can report that job creation will be at the front of his mind if submissions from three industry bodies are listened to.

The Work Foundation’s submission to the Autumn Statement argues that the Chancellor must reject short-term fiscal boosts and focus resources on tackling the deep, long-term imbalances within the economy.

It also sets out key priorities for the statement. These include investment in transport, energy and broadband infrastructure, and innovation policies as well as credit easing to divert money towards SMEs.

Ensuring the UK remains ‘the world-leading digital economy’ through an IP policy reshape and closing what it calls ‘the regional innovation gap’ by giving ‘more resources to Local Enterprise Partnerships’ were also seen as pressing needs.

A letter from the Forum for Private Business to the Chancellor suggests further priorities should include a focus on schools preparing students for employment and a greater business say in how skills money is used.

Commenting on the Recruitment & Employment Confederation’s letter to the Chancellor, chief executive Kevin Green (right) said: “We all recognise the need for urgent action to boost business confidence and promote growth. The issue is how, which is why our submission focuses on practical measures for driving the recovery of the UK jobs market.

“One example is the National Insurance holiday for SMEs taking on young jobseekers. This is something we put to the government 18 months ago as an outcome of our Youth Employment Taskforce.

“The proposal has received support from leading business organisations and is the kind of practical measure needed to address the growing youth unemployment crisis.”