'Rocky road ahead' for UK jobs market
'Rocky road ahead' for UK jobs market
Wednesday 5th August 2009
The rate of decline in permanent staff appointments accelerated last month, having eased for the last four.A report from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and KPMG shows permanent placements declined sharply in July, but a smaller reduction in temporary and contract staff billings was recorded.
Researchers were keen to point out despite the sharp rate of decline, it was much weaker than the "severe reductions" seen around the beginning of the year.
There were also more vacancies, as the number for those seeking permanent employment fell at the slowest pace since last August.
Tom Hadley, director of external relations for the Recruitment & Employment Confederation, said: "The employment landscape remains volatile at best but life is slowly returning to the temporary work market."
Temporary/contract staff billings continued to fall in July, although the rate of decline eased to its slowest for ten months. Wages and salaries fell at their weakest rate for nine months, while hourly rates also decreased at a slower pace.
Mr Hadley added: "The fact that the decline in permanent staff appointments accelerated again in July following four months of relative stabilisation confirms that it is going to be a long and rocky road back for the overall UK jobs market.
"This latest 'relapse' echoes the ongoing feedback from recruiters on the ground where any upturn in demand for permanent staff one month is often followed by a dearth.
"Looking ahead to the second half of 2009, the sharp declines from the first quarter appear to be easing and a degree of confidence may return to the job market. While it's early days, and despite staff availability continuing to rise this month, the market may start to show slight signs of improvement by the end of the year," Bernard Brown, partner and head of business services at KPMG said.
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