MNI DATA IMPACT: Job Vacancies Lowest Since Aug 2012: KPMG/REC

     LONDON (MNI) - UK firms are shifting from filling permanent placements to

short-term contractual roles amid weakness in the economy caused by Brexit

related uncertainty, the KPMG/REC UK Jobs report, published Thursday.

     - The Permanent Placements index remained in the contractionary territory

for the third time this year but improved slightly in April to 49.7 from 47.6 in

March.

- Billings from temporary staff hiring expanded to 53.8 in April from 52.9 in

March.

- Given the fragility of the UK economy, overall job vacancies continued to

slide, falling to the lowest level since August 2012. Vacancies for the public

sector remained subdued.

- The low unemployment rate and uncertain outlook for Brexit discouraged workers

to look for a new job. Firms turned to temporary staff until they had a clearer

view of the future economic path, the report showed.

- Limited availability of skilled candidates continued to put upward pressure on

salaries. Temporary pay growth ascended to 57.8 in April from a two-year low of

55.8 in March. The permanent salaries index remained broadly stable at 59.2

compared with 59.3 in March. However, rates of starting salary were the softest

in two years.

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2224; email: shaily.mittal@mni-indicators.com

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