&nbsp;
<h4 class="MsoNormal">Update to the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) 2024 </h4>
<h5 class="MsoNormal">Attention GP Practices &amp; Primary Care Networks:</h5>
As you know, NHS England's Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) was launched in 2019 to support the recruitment of essential roles within general practice. Entitling PCN's access to funding to support recruitment across the specific reimbursable roles: 
<ul>
<li>Clinical Pharmacists</li>
<li>Social Prescribing link workers</li>
<li>Physician Associates</li>
<li>Paramedics</li>
<li>First Contact Physiotherapists</li>
<li>Pharmacy Technicians</li>
<li>Occupational Therapists</li>
<li>Dietitians</li>
<li>Chiropodists / Podiatrists</li>
<li>Mental Health Practitioners</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<h4>Here's what's new:</h4>
<h5> On September 28th, 2024, NHS England announced an expansion of the ARRS scheme.</h5>
With plans to give Primary Care Networks (PCNs) more staffing flexibility by including 'enhanced nurses' in the Additional Role Reimbursement Scheme.
This means you can now claim reimbursement for qualified Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs) salaries.
&nbsp;
<h4 class="MsoNormal">How does this benefit you?</h4>
&nbsp;
Optimise your budget: Utilise the ARRS scheme to reduce the financial burden of recruiting these highly skilled practitioners.
Address staff shortages: Fill open positions and improve team capacity to navigate busy periods like the upcoming half-term and Ramadan holidays.
Deliver exceptional care: Ensure continued high-quality patient care even during increased demand.
&nbsp;
<h4 class="MsoNormal">Eligo Medical is here to help!</h4>
&nbsp;
We know budget constraints are a current concern, so we can offer our qualified enhanced-level practitioner ANPs, Pharmacists and Nurse Associates which are available on&nbsp;the ARRS scheme. This will help to optimise your budget and staffing needs and help you navigate the increased demand during the upcoming half-term and Ramadan holidays.&nbsp; 
We also have a pool of highly qualified GPs and Practice Nurses, who can seamlessly integrate into your team.
Don't let staffing shortages impact your ability to deliver exceptional patient care.
Let our dedicated team work closely with you to ensure a smooth onboarding process.
&nbsp;
<h4 class="MsoNormal">Here's how to get started:</h4>
Visit our medical page here for more information.
Email us: hello@eligo.co.uk
Call us: 0208 971 1892
Together, let's ensure exceptional patient care and help you navigate the upcoming busy periods with confidence!

Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme Update: Enhanced Nurses Now Eligible! 

The recently announced October 2024 Autumn Budget introduces a range of fiscal measures poised to impact the recruitment landscape, labour market, and businesses in the UK.
With an eye on fiscal responsibility and growth stimulation, the government has introduced new tax measures, investment incentives, and labour market reforms that will shape recruitment strategies and business decisions across industries.
Here&rsquo;s a breakdown of the budget highlights and what they mean for employers and recruitment agencies.
&nbsp;
<h4 class="MsoNormal">1. Tax Changes and Their Impact on Hiring Costs</h4>
One of the more significant changes in the 2024 budget is the increase in employer National Insurance Contributions (NIC), which will rise from 13.8% to 15.8% starting April 2025. This tax increase will raise the cost of employment, likely leading many businesses to reconsider their hiring strategies and employee mix.
Hiring Decisions: The heightened NIC rates are expected to prompt businesses to be more selective with new hires, possibly leading to a slower pace of growth in the job market. Companies may adopt a cautious hiring approach, particularly in labour-intensive industries where the financial impact will be most keenly felt.
Flexibility and Cost Management: In response to these rising costs, businesses may opt for a flexible workforce structure, balancing full-time employees, freelancers, and technology solutions. We may also see an increased adoption of automation and AI, especially in roles where digital tools can handle repetitive tasks.
The abolition of the non-dom tax status, replaced by a temporary resident tax for those residing in the UK for under five years, could also affect the flow of overseas talent. This shift may encourage a different demographic of foreign workers to seek UK opportunities and could influence the diversity of the UK labour pool.
&nbsp;
<h4 class="MsoNormal">2. Labour Market and Employment Shifts</h4>
A centrepiece of the budget is the government&rsquo;s introduction of the "British Jobs for British Workers" plan, mandating that large companies advertise roles locally before recruiting overseas talent. While well-intentioned in its aim to prioritise local talent, this regulation will have implications for recruitment processes, particularly for companies relying on international candidates to fill highly specialised roles.
Recruitment Strategies: This plan could lengthen hiring timelines, as companies may need to undergo additional steps before reaching the right candidates. Recruitment agencies may play an even more vital role, helping companies navigate these requirements efficiently while ensuring talent needs are met without delay.
Wage Increases: The national living wage will rise from &pound;10.42 to &pound;11.44 per hour in April 2025. While a boon for workers, this increase will further add to business costs, particularly in sectors reliant on minimum wage employees. Companies may face pressures to optimise operations and staffing structures, favouring efficiency and productivity.
&nbsp;
<h4 class="MsoNormal">3. Business Support and Investment Initiatives</h4>
The Autumn Budget introduces several initiatives to boost business investment and support economic growth:
Growth Guarantee Scheme: With the new "growth guarantee scheme" replacing the former recovery loan scheme, &pound;3 billion in guarantees will support small and medium-sized businesses. This funding will provide critical support for SMEs, enabling them to expand and stabilise in a complex economic environment.
Permanent Full Expensing for Business Investment: The permanent implementation of full expensing for business investments could encourage UK businesses to upgrade equipment, technology, and infrastructure. This measure is expected to drive productivity gains, helping companies remain competitive in an evolving global market.
Strategic Investment Fund: The creation of a &pound;4.5 billion fund for investment in strategic sectors&mdash;green industries, life sciences, and advanced technology&mdash;signals the government&rsquo;s commitment to fostering innovation and job creation in these high-growth areas. For the recruitment sector, this is a promising indicator of job creation in specialised fields, potentially increasing demand for talent with technical and scientific skills.
&nbsp;
<h4 class="MsoNormal">4. Economic Outlook and Market Expectations</h4>
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) projects a gradual improvement in the economy, with GDP growth expected to increase from 0.7% in 2024 to 2% by 2026. Inflation is anticipated to decrease to 2.8% by the end of 2024 and reach the 2% target in 2025. These projections paint a cautiously optimistic picture, with controlled inflation likely to stabilise business costs and consumer demand over the medium term.
For UK businesses, the budget strikes a balance between promoting fiscal discipline and enabling growth through strategic incentives. While some changes, like the NIC hike, present cost challenges, others&mdash;such as full expensing and industry-targeted funds&mdash;offer avenues for expansion and innovation.
&nbsp;
<h4 class="MsoNormal">5. Implications for the Recruitment Sector</h4>
Recruitment agencies play a pivotal role in helping businesses navigate these changes. As companies reassess hiring plans and explore flexible workforce options, agencies will be essential partners in sourcing talent, meeting regulatory requirements, and adapting recruitment strategies to align with new economic realities.
Automation and Digital Transformation: The push towards automation may open up new sectors and skills within recruitment, where agencies can support clients in sourcing talent experienced with AI tools and digital systems.
Advisory and Consulting Roles: With new labour regulations, especially the &ldquo;British Jobs for British Workers&rdquo; rule, agencies can provide invaluable advisory support to ensure compliance and optimise recruitment processes under the new guidelines.
Strategic Industry Focus: The strategic funds for green industries and technology sectors will likely create demand for niche skills. Recruitment agencies with expertise in these fields will be well-positioned to help companies in these sectors scale rapidly and effectively.
&nbsp;
The 2024 Autumn Budget brings fresh challenges and opportunities, especially in workforce planning and hiring strategies. As businesses adapt to these changes, careful planning and a proactive approach to talent sourcing will be key to maintaining growth and stability.
Eligo Recruitment can help you navigate this evolving landscape with a tailored recruitment strategy, industry insights, and access to top talent across sectors. If you&rsquo;re looking to adapt your hiring approach, <a class="secondaryBtn" href="https://www.eligo.co.uk/contact-us/">contact us </a>or<a class="secondaryBtn" href="https://www.eligo.co.uk/submit-a-vacancy/"> submit a vacancy </a>today to find the right fit for your team.
&nbsp;
Sources: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/oct/30/autumn-2024-budget-tax-changes-spending-rachel-reeves">https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/oct/30/autumn-2024-budget-tax-changes-spending-rachel-reeves</a> <a href="https://www.pushgroup.co.uk/blog/autumn-budget-2024-impact-on-employer-costs-and-the-uk-job-market">https://www.pushgroup.co.uk/blog/autumn-budget-2024-impact-on-employer-costs-and-the-uk-job-market</a> <a href="https://www.hiringlab.org/uk/blog/2024/10/25/october-2024-uk-labour-market-update/">https://www.hiringlab.org/uk/blog/2024/10/25/october-2024-uk-labour-market-update/</a> <a href="https://www.hrgrapevine.com/content/article/2024-10-29-autumn-budget-2024?source=newsletter&amp;utm_source=template-pardot-2304-v5.1&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=hr-30-10-24&amp;utm_content=news&amp;utm_term=Live+Updates">https://www.hrgrapevine.com/content/article/2024-10-29-autumn-budget-2024?source=newsletter&amp;utm_source=template-pardot-2304-v5.1&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=hr-30-10-24&amp;utm_content=news&amp;utm_term=Live+Updates</a>

2024 Autumn Budget: Key Takeaways for Recruitment, the Labour Market, and UK Businesses

There&rsquo;s no beating around the bush&nbsp;finding great testers is a tricky business.
Even once you have found the right tester, there&rsquo;s still the task of getting them through the door and interested in your company and role! So how can you do this?
Consider these five factors when attracting the best software testers, manual and automation testers, test analysts, and QA engineers.
&nbsp;
Technology and Product
Are you using the best technology in testing to attract the best software testers to your business? Is your product solid, substantive and fun to work on?
<ul>
<li>When it comes to your product, to attract the right testers your code and the environment it is running on needs to be enjoyable, cutting edge and enough of a challenge to feed that problem-solving hunger that most software testers have.</li>
<li>That also means offering meaningful testing challenges that are complex and susceptible to change for them to sink their teeth into.</li>
<li>Offer them the right tools for the job and make sure you also have a great manual and automated testing software for your type of business.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Salary
You may think salary is the most important to candidates, but it is not always the dominant factor. Whereas rewarding testers on their value to the company and role is.
<ul>
<li>Do you know the industry average for software testing roles such as the one you are trying to fill?</li>
<li>Take a look at our salary survey<a style="color: rgb(229, 40, 125);" href="https://r1.dotdigital-pages.com/p/4V9F-C34/technology-salary-guide-2023?pfredir=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&nbsp;here</a>&nbsp;that covers roles from test analyst to automation engineer and work out if you are paying competitive rates.</li>
<li>If you don&rsquo;t compare your salary offering then you may have to work harder on other selling points of the role or consider investing in a testing engineer with less experience to train up.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Hiring Process
Implementing the right hiring process is crucial to attracting the best software testers, test analysts and keeping the right individuals in the long run.
<ul>
<li>The first step when attracting the right candidate is to figure out exactly what your business is looking for. Avoid difficulty further down the line by having a clear understanding of the types of attributes that are important to the software testing role.</li>
<li>How are you attracting testing candidates? &ndash; consider using a copywriter to bring your job ads to life and sell your company better. Make your application process concise and simple, avoiding multiple stage interviews, which will also benefit from losing out to the competition.</li>
<li>Remember, hiring is a two-way process. Which means don&rsquo;t forget to sell the company&rsquo;s employer brand, culture and role to the candidate at each stage of the interview, offering why it would be better than the competition.</li>
<li>Are you judging testing candidates based purely on their C.V? &ndash; many companies make the mistake of hiring based on gut feeling, without giving attitudes and behaviours the time of day. We cover the problem with hiring tactics extensively&nbsp;<a style="color: rgb(229, 40, 125);" href="https://www.eligo.co.uk/client-advice-insights/the-problem-with-hiring-tactics/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</li>
<li>You can get to know the potential candidate through three levels of assessment; how they appear, what they can do and what they will be able to do.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
 Employer Brand and Culture
So you&rsquo;re not quite Google or Facebook but you are a great company none the less. You should be attracting the best software testers. I cover this extensively&nbsp;<a style="color: rgb(229, 40, 125);" href="https://eligo.co.uk/employehttps://www.eligo.co.uk/client-advice-insights/beyond-the-logo-your-employer-brand-and-why-you-re-not-attracting-the-best-developers/r-brand-attract-developers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>, but in short;
<ul>
<li>The Employer brand is more than a logo, a foosball table in the office and even free fruit Fridays.</li>
<li>Evaluating your employer brand requires you to step back, think about what your company stands for and what it&rsquo;s really like to work for you and show that you are offering more than just a paycheck.</li>
<li>Find out what your previous staff thought about you, look on Glassdoor, a review and information site for employers with anonymous submissions.</li>
</ul>
To fully evaluate your employer brand, take a look&nbsp;<a style="color: rgb(229, 40, 125);" href="https://www.eligo.co.uk/client-advice-insights/beyond-the-logo-your-employer-brand-and-why-you-re-not-attracting-the-best-developers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>!
It is possible to foster an inviting culture without breaking the bank and investing in the wellbeing of your staff, happy employees will spread the word and over time some of the best software testers will want to work within your business.
&nbsp;
Benefits
Find out what it is that motivates your potential new hire, and once you know what it is that will get them through the door- if you can &ndash; offer it to them.
<ul>
<li>Do you offer remote working?</li>
<li>How many holiday days do you offer excluding bank holidays?</li>
<li>Do you offer coaching, training and personal development for the candidate?</li>
<li>Do you offer small perks such as free lunch, perk box, cycle to work scheme?</li>
<li>What tools and equipment do you offer with the role; laptop/computer/phone?</li>
</ul>
When presenting the position to the candidate, consider offering a complete benefits package that includes the little things that you know will appeal to them.
&nbsp;
By taking into account the five factors mentioned above when you are attracting the best software testers, you will have a greater chance of bringing them into the fold and keeping them in the long run.
&nbsp;
At Eligo Technology, our mission is to help our clients recruit better. From helping you to benchmark salary expectations with our industry-wide knowledge and salary survey to writing creative copy for your job ads, improving your hiring process as a whole to reduce cost, and time and avoid any more hiring headaches in the future.
What&rsquo;s more, we know who and where to find the best software testers, test analysts, automation engineers, quality assurance engineers, manual testers, QA analysts and more.&nbsp;<a style="color: rgb(237, 38, 140);" href="https://eligo.co.uk/contact-us" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Get in touch</a>&nbsp;today to discuss your testing recruitment needs!
0208 944 4180&nbsp;or email at&nbsp;<a style="color: rgb(229, 40, 125);" href="mailto:technology@eligo.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">rick@eligo.co.uk</a>
&nbsp;