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UK PM says virtual interviews hurt candidates and recruitment fairness
Burnham cited data showing 89% of UK recruiters plan to use more AI in hiring this year and urged more social value in government contracting, including work experience.
BBC Business reports UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said bosses should not rely heavily on virtual job interviews, arguing they fail to capture candidates' personality and passion. Speaking on former political adviser Jimmy McLoughlin's podcast, Burnham warned online interviews could disadvantage people who give more than formulaic responses.
The report links the shift to hiring tools and formats with labor market pressure, noting more than one million UK residents aged 16 to 25 are not in work or education, while vacancies are at a five year low and firms increasingly use AI to sift applications and select candidates for interviews.
BBC Business also cites LinkedIn data showing 89% of UK recruiters plan to use more AI in the hiring process this year. The report adds that some young people told the BBC their applications can be “robotic and brutal” when they apply for hundreds of jobs and never hear back.
Burnham said the government will place more emphasis on social value when awarding contracts, potentially including whether firms offer young people work experience. He also said he wants to increase the number of 45-day placements for 16 to 18-year-olds to spend more time with an employer and gain practical experience.