– KPMG/REC: UK September Permanent Placements 49.7 vs 48.4 In August
LONDON (MNI) – The rate of decline in permanent job placements in
the UK economy improved a little in September, with only a slight fall
recorded, according to the latest KPMG/Recruitment and Employment
Confederation Report on Jobs.
Agency billings from the employment of temporary/contract staff
rose for the second consecutive month, with the rate of expansion
quickening to a 14-month high.
The report also shows demand for staff strengthening as job
vacancies continued to increase in September, with the rate of growth
accelerating to a 13-month high.
The permanent staff placements index stood at 49.7 in September
compared with 48.4 in August (50 marking the boundary between expansion
and contraction in the survey). Temporary placements rose to 52.6 from
51.0 in August.
Salaries and pay rates for both temporary and permanent workers
remained weak during the month, the survey showed.
Recruitment and Employment Confederation chief executive Kevin
Green says the UK jobs market is showing remarkable resilience in the
face of what official figures class as a double dip recession.
“The data provides encouraging signs for the economy, with demand
for staff continuing to increase and candidate availability rising.
However, we know that confidence is fragile and a big external shock
could derail us from this promising course,” he said.
The survey comes ahead of the official Labour Market report from
National Statistics, due for release on October 17. Bank of England
officials have been scratching their heads in recent months over the
so-called ‘productivity puzzle’ – signs of strength in employment
while output falls.
–London newsroom 4420 7862 7492; email: wwilkes@marketnews.com
[TOPICS: MABDS$,M$B$$$]
