–KPMG/REC: UK Nov Permanent Placements 55.2 Vs 52.6 In Oct
–KPMG/REC: UK Nov Temporary Placements 53.5 Vs 51.6 In Oct
–KPMG/REC: UK Nov Permanent Salaries Index 52.3 Vs 54.5 In Oct
–Recruitment Consultants See Faster Growth In Permanent, Temp Jobs
–Pay Growth Continues But Remains Subdued And Weaker Than Avge

LONDON – UK recruitment consultants reported a further
increase in permanent postings during November, extending the current
period of growth to 16 months, according to the latest REC/KPMG jobs
market report.

The rate of expansion in new placements accelerated for the first
time since March and reached a three-month high, with REC/KPMG talking
of a possible ‘turning point’ in the labour market if the present trend
is maintained.

REC/KPMG said that the latest data indicated stronger rises in both
permanent placements and temp billings during November, following a
slowdown in growth over recent months.

In both cases, rates of expansion were at three-month highs.

Demand for staff also continued to rise. Recruitment consultants
indicated another increase in overall job vacancies during November,
although the latest rise was the slowest for just over a year.

Further rises in both permanent and temp staff pay were recorded in
November. However, the rates of inflation remained subdued and weaker
than the respective series averages.

The availability of staff to fill job vacancies continued to rise
in November. The latest increases in permanent and temp staff
availability were the strongest in eight and eleven months respectively.

This latest positive employment report is in line with recent
labour market reports from National Statistics which have been
surprisingly robust, defying some of the gloomier forecasts on
unemployment made early in the 2008-09 recession.

The picture on pay growth is also in line with reports from NS and
the observations made by Bank of England officials of a subdued pickup
in wages and salaries despite high headline inflation.

The report adds to the stream of surprisingly positive
activity data currently flowing out of the UK.

–London newsroom: 4420 7862 7492; email ukeditorial@marketnews.com

[TOPICS: M$B$$$,MABDS$]