Total number of full-time jobs increases in region

There was a marked increase in the number of people taking permanent jobs across the North, according to a new report.

The latest KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs: North of England pointed to a sustained rise in permanent placements during May and a fall in temporary work placements.

The report, which is compiled from responses to questionnaires sent to around 100 recruitment and employment consultancies in the North pointed to a quicker rise in permanent staff placements in May.

Meanwhile, a further marked reduction in candidate supply contributed to steep increases in starting pay.

Recruiters in the North of England reported a rise in permanent staff appointments during May.

The rate of increase accelerated to the fastest for 16 months and was sharp overall.

In contrast, permanent staff appointments declined across the UK as a whole, where the rate of contraction accelerated slightly from April.

Billings received from the employment of temporary workers in the North of England fell for the first time since January in May. The rate of contraction was solid overall and the quickest for almost seven years.

Panellists often linked the reduction to a lack of vacancies at their clients. Temp billings meanwhile rose only marginally at the national level.

Notably, the rate of growth eased to the slowest seen over the current 73-month period of expansion.

Nicola Quayle, office senior partner at KPMG in Manchester said: “The North is charging ahead and making really positive gains in permanent job placements.

“However, whilst these figures might be an encouraging sign of the region’s health, we should not become complacent and be mindful of a gloomier national picture.

“There is also still much more that can be done to improve the local skills base. We need to prioritise building a workforce for the future to sustain economic growth and help the North become more resilient to economic and political disruption.”