Fall in permanent hiring the softest in over a year.
Key findings
- Permanent placements fall again, but at
slower rate - Pay rates continue to rise markedly
- Worker availability increases to steeper degree
- Data collected May 9-24
Summary
The KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs survey, compiled by S&P Global, pointed to another reduction in permanent placements made by UK recruitment consultants in May. Delayed decision making and a lack of demand amongst companies were reported to have weighed on recruitment activity. That said, May’s fall in permanent placements was modest and eased for a second successive month to its weakest since March 2023. There was also a slower reduction in the number of temp billings, with the decline the weakest since January.
May’s survey also revealed a drop in vacancy numbers, although the decline was fractional and the softest in the current seven-month downturn. Amid the high cost of living and shortages of suitable candidates, pay inflation nonetheless remained marked.
The report is compiled by S&P Global from responses to questionnaires sent to a panel of around 400 UK recruitment and employment consultancies.
May sees weaker decline in placements
Permanent staff appointments continued to fall in May, according to the latest survey of UK recruitment consultants. It was the twentieth successive month in which placements have fallen, but the latest decline was modest and the slowest since March 2023. A similar trend was seen for temp billings, with the latest contraction the weakest in four months.
There were reports that slow decision-making, a lack of vacancies and specific candidate shortages weighed on placements.