Fastest Rise in U.K. Permanent Placements in Over 10 Years

April 9, 2010 – The number of both permanent and temporary/contract staff appointments made by U.K. recruitment consultancies increased again in March, with growth picking up to the strongest levels since October 1997, according to The Report on Jobs, published by the REC and KPMG. Higher placements were underpinned by a further expansion of permanent staff vacancies, albeit the slowest in three months. Growth of short-term staff appointments quickened to their strongest for 34 months in March. Billings were driven higher by the fastest increase in demand for temporary staff since January 2008. Recruitment consultants signaled another improvement in the availability of staff during March. “Permanent appointments increasing at the fastest pace for over 12 years is the clearest sign yet of a revival in the U.K. jobs market. A rise in both temporary and contract work at the sharpest rate for nearly three years shows how they continue to provide vital flexibility for U.K. businesses as well as a valuable route back into work for job-seekers,” said Kevin Green, the REC's CEO. “However, the overall outlook is tempered by public expenditure cuts which are already impacting on recruitment in this sector. Deep-rooted reforms and innovative approaches to public sector resourcing will be needed in order to maintain frontline services.” The REC is the representative body for the U.K.’s £27 billion private recruitment and staffing industry with a membership of more than 8,000 corporate members comprising agencies and businesses from all sectors and 6,000 members of the Institute of Recruitment Professionals (IRP) made up of recruitment consultants and other industry professionals.