Report on Jobs – September

The Report on Jobs captures original survey data which provides the most up-to-date monthly picture of recruitment, employment, staff availability and employee earnings trends available. There are three reports, one covering the UK as a whole, one focused specifically on the North of England and one on the South.

The Report on Jobs is a monthly publication produced by IHS Markit and sponsored by KPMG and REC.

Here are the key points from the North Report on Jobs:

• Permanent placements rise following a drop in August.
• Temp billings growth picks up to six-month high.
• Permanent starting pay increases at a quicker rate.

Here are the key points from the South Report on Jobs:

• Permanent placements decline again, while temp billings growth remains marginal.
• Permanent staff vacancy growth eases to a 92-month low.
• Availability of workers continues to deteriorate.

Here are the key points from the UK Report on Jobs:

• Permanent placements drop for the seventh month in a row.
• Weakest increase in vacancies for over seven-and-a-half years.
• Availability of staff continues to drop amid uncertain outlook.

James Stewart, Vice Chair at KMPG  says:

“The Brexit impasse continues to affect the jobs market with employers stuck, unable to make informed decisions, and people unwilling to risk-seeking new roles.”

“Given that it’s the weakest increase in job vacancies since 2012 and the longest period that permanent staff appointments have fallen since the global financial crisis, it would seem that it’s proving difficult for businesses to shake off the heightened uncertainty and unknowns. So with the deadline fast approaching, they may well be waiting to get clarity on the future direction of Brexit before making any key decisions on hiring and investment.”

Neil Carberry, Chief Executive at Recruitment & Employment Confederation says:

“Businesses are positive about their own prospects, but ongoing Brexit uncertainty has led many firms to delay projects and hiring decisions. Vacancy growth has fallen to its lowest since 2012. The UK’s vibrant temporary work market is playing an important role in helping employers to manage the ongoing uncertainty and jobseekers to find work.”

“There are deeper issues which must be addressed to secure the UK’s future prosperity. Productivity is falling, and there are skills shortages in vital sectors across the economy. Solving these problems must be top of the government’s to-do list once the Brexit deadlock has been broken.”

For free copies of the full reports, please get in touch or call 0333 023 0077.