North of England sees slowdown in hiring activity for both permanent and temporary roles
The North of England has seen a slowdown in hiring activity for both permanent and temporary roles, with the number of permanent placements broadly unchanged from September, according to a new report.
The October KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs found that the North was the only monitored English region to signal increases in demand for both permanent and temp staff.
Vacancy growth picked up most prominently for temporary jobs, which rose solidly. However, rates of pay inflation for both types of workers eased from September.
Staff availability meanwhile rose at slower, but still sharp rates.
Phil Murden, Leeds Office senior partner at KPMG UK, said: “There are some encouraging signs in the North’s jobs market, despite a slowdown in hiring activity during October. The region was the only part of England to see demand increase for both permanent and temporary staff, while permanent vacancies grew at their fastest rate in six months.
“This confirms that businesses still need skilled workers, even as they take a more measured approach to recruitment.”
Starting salaries awarded to new permanent joiners across the North of England rose solidly in October.
However, the rate of pay inflation eased from September's more than two-year record and was below its long-run average.