As party conference season draws to a close, employers looking to grow their businesses are asking, 'which party will make it easier to give someone a job?'

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I have heard encouraging things at the Conservative conference this week, where I joined a panel discussing the economy across Yorkshire and the North East. The audience was receptive to the Jobs Foundation’s proposal for a 12-month employer National Insurance holiday.

Kemi Badenoch’s pledge to halve employer National Insurance for workers aged 21 to 24 takes that response further. The Conservatives still want to be a party of enterprise, and this recognises that reducing hiring costs can help businesses create jobs.

The Jobs Foundation has found the major parties receptive to its messages throughout conference season. Getting people into work should command support across politics. But Labour is in government, and Labour can make an immediate difference.

Its emphasis on apprenticeships, technical education and helping people move from benefits into employment is encouraging.........

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