June 2018 vs. June 2026: What I’d Say to Andy Burnham Today
Waking up to the news this morning of Andy Burnham’s landslide by-election victory in Makerfield, I couldn't help but look back at an old photo sitting in my camera roll.
It was taken in June 2018 at an Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) "Working Forward" event in Manchester. Andy was the Mayor of Greater Manchester, and I was there representing 9-2-3 Jobs. The discussion focussed on how to reduce workplace discrimination and improve conditions for pregnant women and new parents.
Eight years ago, that conversation was about baseline protection. It was about making sure a woman wasn’t penalised for starting a family, and that new parents had the basic legal footing to keep their jobs.
Today, Andy Burnham is returning to Westminster, with many predicting he could be on a direct path to Number 10. But if I were to sit down with him today, the conversation wouldn't be about baseline legal protections anymore. The world has moved on, and the UK job market has fundamentally shifted.
If we want to build a truly modern economy, the narrative needs to change from "allowing flexibility" to using structural flexibility as a national economic superpower.
If I had five minutes with him today, here are the three things I would tell him:
1. True Flexibility is an Economic Growth Strategy, Not a Perk
We currently have a massive, highly qualified talent pool of parents (especially mothers) who are frozen out of the UK workforce. They don’t want to opt-out of their careers, but they are forced to because so many companies still view work as a rigid 40-hour office block.
When a government talks about boosting productivity and solving skills shortages, the single fastest lever they can pull is incentivising businesses to design roles around flexible structures. True flexibility isn't a nice-to-have benefit; it is an economic driver.
2. We Need to Measure Output, Not "Hours at a Desk"
Progressive businesses are winning the talent war right now for one simple reason: they measure success by what gets done, not by bums on seats between 9am and 5pm. Our agency’s name, 9-2-3 Jobs, was inspired by the absolute reality of the school run. Our current economic infrastructure is completely misaligned with modern family dynamics. We need a political framework that champions output-driven management.
3. We Must Protect and Prepare the Next Generation Pipeline
We cannot talk about the future of work without addressing the massive hurdles facing under-25s and NEETs (those Not in Education, Employment, or Training). A fair economy requires giving young people the practical, frontline tools they need to navigate a rapidly changing job market. If they can't get their foot in the door, the whole pipeline collapses.
Moving Beyond Politics: Why We Are Launching "The Jobs Club"
Politicians can debate policy in Westminster, but at 9-2-3 Jobs, we see the real-world impact on the ground every single day. We know that waiting for structural political change takes time - and job seekers need help right now.
That is exactly why, in just a few weeks, we are officially launching The Jobs Club.
The Jobs Club is our direct response to the gaps we see in the market. It is a dedicated, practical platform designed to get people (from those just starting out in the careers, to Returners and beyond) genuinely "work-ready." We’ll be providing step-by-step guidance on creating standout CVs, mastering LinkedIn, writing compelling cover letters, and nailing interviews.
Crucially, we are building a specialized stream within the club aimed entirely at “Early Careers” (including the under-25s) and those trying to break into the workforce for the first time.
In 2018, the fight was just to keep the door unlocked for parents. In 2026, it’s about opening those doors wide and giving both returning parents and the next generation the practical tools to step right through.
What do you think is the biggest hurdle holding back working parents or young people in the UK job market today? Let us know your thoughts.