Sir Keir Starmer’s first 100 days as Prime Minister have already seen substantial shifts in the UK’s political and policy landscape. Tackling the country’s financial challenges is a priority, but other areas are also under the spotlight with major, market-shifting policies being launched or developed. Employers in fields impacted by this transition need to be agile to keep pace with market changes. But in what areas are skills requirements shifting?
Economic Policy
Economic policy is possibly the number one area subject to the biggest change. The UK economy has slowed down, and Labour is making substantial changes to taxation, particularly related to education and non-domiciled tax statuses. These changes, such as the removal of VAT exemptions for private schools and closing tax loopholes, are expected to fund improvements in other markets, including healthcare.
Employers, particularly in financial services and the public sector, will need to track these changes closely and advise their clients on the implications of such reforms. This will put additional pressures on public affairs professionals to ramp up their communication activity in the coming months.
Energy
Energy is another area where the roles of public affairs specialists are likely to change and grow. This is particularly true within renewables, where the launch of Great British Energy, a state-owned energy company, will have significant implications. Labour’s vision for GB Energy includes supporting renewable energy projects and contributing to the UK’s climate targets.
Public affairs specialists with experience in regulations surrounding energy production, emissions, and sustainability will be in growing demand. These roles include navigating complex relationships with key Government figures and departments and contributing insights on industry perspectives to ensure a collaborative approach. This emphasis on green initiatives will likely reshape corporate social responsibility strategies, providing a platform for companies to showcase their alignment with Labour’s climate goals.
Health and Education
Healthcare and education are also under the Labour Party’s spotlight, with major investments in both markets being mooted. Policies such as the introduction of free primary school breakfast programs and reducing NHS wait times will reshape the existing landscape. This will put more pressure on public affairs professionals within these sectors to feed into a wealth of consultations in the coming months.
The announcement of the Employment Rights Bill marks a significant change, proposing changes to laws related to unfair dismissal and granting workers more rights from day one of employment. It also addresses zero-hours contracts and flexible working, set to become the ‘default’ for all workers. Proposed changes to sick pay, unpaid parental and bereavement leave, and ‘fire and rehire’ policies promise a major shake-up of employment rights. The Bill will be a core focus for public affairs professionals in the employment remit in the next two years, given the number of planned consultations.
Public Affairs Skills
An acute understanding of individual markets will be critical for public affairs professionals, and subject matter experts are already in significant demand. Labour’s policy shifts will necessitate deep analytical skills. The best professionals will interpret these policy changes and anticipate their potential impacts on various industries, enabling them to guide clients and employers to address upcoming changes.
Rapid changes in tax and regulatory policies will drive the need for more crisis management and communication skills to handle potential public misunderstandings. Recruiting those with a detailed understanding of social media tools and data analytics will allow organizations to track public sentiment and adjust campaigns accordingly. With the new Government’s emphasis on social reform and wealth redistribution, organizations may need to collaborate with a broader range of stakeholders. Professionals with strong engagement skills will enable their employer to advocate positions on various policies, which are particularly relevant as organizations seek to have a voice in shaping future policies.
The first 100 days of Labour’s administration have laid the groundwork for long-term changes in the UK’s political and economic landscape. Employers, including Government agencies, political consultancies, and local governments, will need to adapt the public affairs skills they seek to keep up with this change and take advantage of the opportunities it creates.
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