[UK] 1-in-10 part-time retail jobs could disappear by 2028

In the UK, the chief executive of the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned that as many as 160,000 part-time retail roles - more than one-in-10 - are at risk of being lost in the next three years, Retail Systems reports.

The UK retail industry has already lost nearly 10 times the number of jobs of the entire steelmaking sector over the past decade, according to new figures released by the BRC.

The organisation’s report reveals that the steel manufacturing industry has lost around 37,500 jobs, compared to the retail industry’s 351,000 jobs lost over the past 10 years.
The BRC reportedly claimed that while the government stepped in to prevent factory closures and save jobs in steelmaking, policymakers have done “nothing” for the retail industry, despite so many jobs being lost.

Its figures demonstrate that since 2015, the steel industry has gained 6,500 jobs.
"Yet, while factory closures are met by promises of action by government, the wave of retail jobs losses has been met with indifference from policymakers," Helen Dickinson - chief executive of the BRC - said. "UK retail is world-leading, innovative, and a major contributor to the UK economy, yet the stranglehold of increasing costs, taxes and red tape risks undermining the very things Government is seeking to create: local investment, growth, and increasing the numbers of people in work."

However, Ms Dickinson added that if the government can ensure future policies do not hold back recruitment and training, there will be more jobs and greater productivity.
The BRC reportedly stated that the new Growth and Skills Levy, a replacement for the "broken Apprenticeship Levy," could help retail businesses unlock further investment in local communities and people, given that an estimated 40-50 per cent of the workforce requires upskilling.

"The Employment Rights Bill is the next big test: government must tackle unscrupulous employers without hampering employment opportunities offered by responsible businesses," Ms Dickinson said.

The Employment Rights Bill aims to improve employment practices, but some aspects of the Bill could increase costs and reduce employment opportunities without enhancing the lives of workers, according to the trade association.

Source: Retail Systems

(Quotes via original reporting)

In the UK, the chief executive of the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned that as many as 160,000 part-time retail roles - more than one-in-10 - are at risk of being lost in the next three years, Retail Systems reports.

The UK retail industry has already lost nearly 10 times the number of jobs of the entire steelmaking sector over the past decade, according to new figures released by the BRC.

The organisation’s report reveals that the steel manufacturing industry has lost around 37,500 jobs, compared to the retail industry’s 351,000 jobs lost over the past 10 years.
The BRC reportedly claimed that while the government stepped in to prevent factory closures and save jobs in steelmaking, policymakers have done “nothing” for the retail industry, despite so many jobs being lost.

Its figures demonstrate that since 2015, the steel industry has gained 6,500 jobs.
"Yet, while factory closures are met by promises of action by government, the wave of retail jobs losses has been met with indifference from policymakers," Helen Dickinson - chief executive of the BRC - said. "UK retail is world-leading, innovative, and a major contributor to the UK economy, yet the stranglehold of increasing costs, taxes and red tape risks undermining the very things Government is seeking to create: local investment, growth, and increasing the numbers of people in work."

However, Ms Dickinson added that if the government can ensure future policies do not hold back recruitment and training, there will be more jobs and greater productivity.
The BRC reportedly stated that the new Growth and Skills Levy, a replacement for the "broken Apprenticeship Levy," could help retail businesses unlock further investment in local communities and people, given that an estimated 40-50 per cent of the workforce requires upskilling.

"The Employment Rights Bill is the next big test: government must tackle unscrupulous employers without hampering employment opportunities offered by responsible businesses," Ms Dickinson said.

The Employment Rights Bill aims to improve employment practices, but some aspects of the Bill could increase costs and reduce employment opportunities without enhancing the lives of workers, according to the trade association.

Source: Retail Systems

(Quotes via original reporting)