Influencing public policy in England

What we’re working on

Our public policy priorities in England include regional good work initiatives and skills policy development, careers advice and guidance, reform of the Apprenticeship Levy, and business support for SMEs. We collaborate to give policy-makers and employers the evidence and guidance they need to tackle these big issues. 

In our response to the UK government’s Levelling Up White Paper, we called for a long-term and stable approach to skills policy and for stronger partnerships, particularly between business support and skills providers, to tackle local challenges in a joined-up way. 

We continue to work across our regions to make good and fair work a reality through local charters and standards, sharing resources for organisations keen to be recognised as a good employer. 

Who we're working with in England

ACAS

Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) provides free and impartial information and advice to employers and employees on all aspects of workplace relations and employment law. We collaborate with Acas on various activities and events as the organisation shares our purpose of championing better work and working lives. We have produced collaborative guidance to upskill line managers known as Soft Skills in Hard Times. Most recently we collaborated to deliver a Good Employment Summit with Northern Metro Mayors, which explored how employers can create better work and working lives.

Greater London Authority

Our partnership with the Mayor of London and his team launched the Good Work Standard. This voluntary benchmarking scheme measures participating businesses against criteria including fair pay, working conditions, employee wellbeing, the availability of skills training, progression and diversity in recruitment.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Our partnership with the Mayor of Greater Manchester and his team led to the promotion and adoption of their Good Employment Charter. It sets a high bar for recruitment and employment standards that deliver equality, fair pay, and a positive and productive workplace.

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

Working closely with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority led to the development of their Fair Employment Charter. It promotes and supports good and fair work through its four key objectives of ensuring healthy, fair, inclusive and just work and workplaces.

North of Tyne Combined Authority

We are working with the Metro Mayor of North of Tyne to develop the Good Work Pledge to make poor employment a thing of the past and good work the norm. We will continue to work with the North of Tyne Combined Authority to support and grow the Good Work Pledge, enabling its members to access learning, networking opportunities, and support in the pursuit of good work and sustainability.

Pro Manchester

Pro Manchester is a Greater Manchester Business Community and the largest business development organisation in the North West. We are part of a network of close to 300 members, and sit on Pro Manchester’s Skills Committee, where we provide a wealth of insight and experience to help raise awareness of, and improve, skills gaps in the region.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority

We are working with the Mayor of West Yorkshire to develop the West Yorkshire Fair Work Charter which is dedicated to levelling-up across West Yorkshire by encouraging good pay, fair and flexible working conditions, and promoting diversity and social mobility within the workforce. We will continue to work with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to support its charter and its ambitious standard for fair work in the region.