HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Seven principles for jobs – G8 agrees new agenda [February 1998]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 22 February 1998.

G8 Agrees New Agenda

A new international employment agenda to promote jobs and tackle unemployment and social exclusion has been agreed by the G8 countries at a Conference on Growth, Employability and Inclusion in London this weekend.

Commenting on the Conference, UK Chancellor Gordon Brown said:

“The G8 has set itself a new agenda based on seven principles for action. It is now important that the principles are turned into practice. I am delighted that the G8 backed my suggestion of presenting job Action Plans to the Birmingham Summit of Heads of State and Government in May.

“A new employment agenda is vital given the background of intensified global competition and technological advances we all face as the 21st century approaches.”

UK employment policies were also given strong endorsement at the Conference. Education and Employment Secretary, David Blunkett said:

“G8 members share the priorities we have set for our domestic employment policy – promoting employability and adaptability and tackling skill shortages. For the first time at an international summit the key principle of lifelong learning was specifically endorsed. It is clear we have to deliver on education, skills and employment.

“We all face the challenge of change. We need to improve the skills of everyone in the labour market and to bring those excluded from employment into the world of work.”

Seven broad principles have been agreed to guide the action the G8 countries will take. These are:

• sound macroeconomic policies;
• structural reforms to labour, capital and product markets;
• fostering entrepreneurship and an economic climate favourable to the growth of small and medium-sized firms;
• enhancing employment, education and training including for the young, long-term unemployed, lone parents and the disabled;
• reforming tax/benefit systems to provide work incentives to foster growth and employment and the successful transition from welfare to work;
• encouraging lifelong learning; and
• promoting equal opportunities and combatting discrimination.

The Conference agreed the seven principles to guide employment policy and Heads of State and Government will be asked to endorse them at the Birmingham Summit in May.

In conclusion, the Chancellor said:

“We must ensure that the important messages of this Conference are heard by policy makers around the world and
that we continue to share best practice.”

The Chancellor said he would:

• continue to use the UK’s chairmanship of the G8 and
  Presidency of the EU to advocate the new agenda on employment and economic reform;
• write to the Heads of International Financial Institutions including the IMF and OECD to report on policy initiatives agreed at the Conference; and
• carry out an examination of how help can be given to entrepreneurs and SMEs, and enhance access for small firms to venture capital.