PCG/REC Flexible working survey of MPs and public

A survey of MPs, and a public opinion poll on behalf of PCG and REC.

Date Published: 17 Sep 2011

Categories: Politics | Public and communities | Social | UK

Description

MPs and public call on Government to encourage and expand flexible working

Majority believe action needed to boost freelance and flexible sector

In a new ComRes survey released today by PCG and the REC, more than three quarters of the public (79%) and more than two thirds of MPs (69%) believe ‘the government should make it easier for companies to adopt a flexible workforce approach.’

On the eve of the party conference season the survey, commissioned jointly by PCG, the UK’s biggest organisation representing freelancers, and the Recruitment & Employment Confederation, representing the recruitment sector, revealed a consensus for Government action as a priority. When asked if, “encouraging a flexible labour force is important in stimulating economic growth”, 86% of MPs and 78% of the public agreed.

Both the public and politicians also overwhelmingly believe flexible working has played a part in Britain weathering the economic storm, with 71% and 78% respectively saying that ‘adopting a flexible workforce has meant that some companies got through the recession better than they otherwise would have done’.

Methodology note: ComRes surveyed 158 MPs on the ComRes parliamentary panel between 27th June and 18th July 2011 by self-completion postal questionnaire and online. Data were weighted to reflect the exact composition of the House of Commons in terms of party representation and regional constituency distribution.

ComRes also interviewed 2047 GB adults online between 29th and 31st July 2011. ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules