“If we have learned anything through the pandemic, the biggest thing is about being more inclusive,” Davies said.

“This is a great time to disrupt the labour market in terms of giving opportunities and chances to people and make sure that we are absolutely committed to getting everybody into progressing in work and filling those roles with employers.”

Davies was the keynote speaker last Thursday [25 November] at the Recruitment & Employment Confederation’s annual awards gala. Her talk focused on government’s ongoing partnership with REC and recruiters to help people into work, and enabling them to develop in their work.

“Partnerships like ours are key because we are delivering jobs together,” the Conservative MP for Mid Sussex said.

“It’s a crucial shared role to give people confidence at any age or stage in their life in their career, to champion inclusivity and diversity, and prosperity, working between employers and local economies to better represent their local community – that’s what local employers want,” Davies said.

While local economies and employers want to “open up opportunities”, she said, “they don’t know how to make the workplace a better environment or more successful business environment. And you can do that.” 

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