Responding to Tom Watson’s Future of Work Commission report, Seamus Nevin, Head of Policy Research at the Institute of Directors, said:

“Many of the key recommendations within Tom Watson’s Future of Work report will resonate with employers up and down the country. The instinct to be techno-positive, whilst making targeted proposals for ensuring that the rising digital tide really does lift all boats, is the right one.  This will ensure the UK makes the most of the opportunities technology is creating for everyone.

“The IoD has long campaigned for measures to help employees back into training without compromising their living standards or ability to work. Watson’s proposals will help bring our skills system into the twenty-first century by developing the culture of lifelong learning that we desperately need. Similarly, encouraging employers to make use of new innovations that can help people work more flexibly is also one of the key benefits to reap from the age of automation.

“However, on his proposals to establish a ‘new representative body for entrepreneurs’, we suggest that the UK already has one well established. The IoD’s entrepreneurship network (the IoD99) is the fastest growing group for entrepreneurs, with a strong voice in the public debate, both at home and internationally. Last week the group was named as the UK’s official representative for young entrepreneurs within the G20.

“Needless to say, we would be delighted to engage with the Labour Deputy Leader on how to drive forward many of the positive proposals within his report to support both company founders and the self-employed.”