Positive data on jobs

THE number of staff placed in permanent positions across the North rose in May, according to a survey of 100 recruitment consultants.

The Report on Jobs: North, compiled by research group Markit for the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and KPMG, shows that the growth was solid and the fastest since February.

In May, 41 respondents said they had placed more staff, up from 39 in April. Some 32 said the situation was the same, up from 29, and 27 said they had placed fewer staff, down from 32.

This left the region with an index score of 57.1, with 50 representing no change. The index had fallen from 58.5 in February to 55.4 in March and 53.2 in April.

Demand for temporary staff rose sharply, and at a faster pace than that observed across the UK as whole. Permanent salaries also increased with 17 respondents saying they had seen a rise, up from 11 in April. The index score rose from 54.8 to 57.1.

Jonathan Hurst, Northern chairman of KPMG, said: “It looks as if months of rhetoric are finally becoming a reality. With Northern permanent placements growing at the fastest pace since February, it seems that private sector jobs are boosting the chances of economic growth.

“The latest figures, which also showed continued growth in demand for permanent and temporary staff, certainly give the strongest indication for some time that the region’s jobs market is on an upward trajectory.”