Permanent labour market softens says report

THE jobs market for permanent positions across the North softened during November to its lowest point  in 17 months, according to research.

Data gathered from  recruitment agencies across the North West, North East and Yorkshire for the Report on Jobs also reveals that permanent and temporary workers are seeing faster salary growth than previously.

While the growth of permanent vacancies slowed and was below the UK-wide trend during November, demand for temporary staff increased quicker than across the UK as a whole, despite the rate of expansion easing to the slowest since July 2013.

With the festive season beginning last month as many retailers hired seasonal staff, pay growth for temp staff in the North was the strongest of all UK regions.

Hourly pay rates rose for the 27th consecutive month in November. Furthermore, temp pay growth picked up to the sharpest in three months, with around one-quarter of survey participants reporting a rise.

Jon Holt, office senior partner, KPMG’s Manchester office, said: “We’re seeing signs of a more muted Christmas for the North of England’s job market, with the growth in demand for permanent staff at its weakest for 18 months, below the UK-wide trend.

“This dampening down of activity is unlikely to reverse in December, when the job market traditionally slows as candidates pause in their hunt for new employment whilst they enjoy the festive season.  The slowdown also follows an unexpected fall in investment in the UK in Q3, prompting concern in some quarters that this could herald the start of a negative trend in the jobs market.”