MNI: Perm Placements remain robust, temp billings pick up: REC

--UK April Permanent Placements 57.3 v 57.9 March: Markit/REC

By Jai Lakhani

     LONDON (MNI) - Permanent Staff placements across the UK saw a further

increase in April, albeit at a slowing pace, a Markit survey for the Recruitment

and Employment Confederation (REC) found. The number of people placed into

permanent jobs continued to rise markedly in April, although the pace of

expansion was the softest seen in 2018 so far. 

     The Markit/REC permanent staff availability index, published Wednesday,

fell to 37.4 from March's 39.0 figure. The permanent placement index also fell

from 57.9 in March to 57.3 in April. 

     The permanent salaries index, rose to 60.5 from 60 in March and was

mirrored by an increase in temporary pay rates, which rose from 57.2 in March to

59.9 in April. This was down to a combination of strengthening staff demand and

a continuous fall in candidate availability.  

     Temporary billings growth picked up from March's thirteen month low, with

the index figure up slightly to 56.2 from March's 55.8

     The Markit/REC survey notes that the rates of reduction in candidate

availability for both permanent and temporary roles were three- and five-month

records, respectively. This highlights continued skill shortages with the

availability of permanent staff measure giving back it's March gain from

February's 37.7 to 39.0,with April at 37.4. 

     This is still below the 50 contraction/expansion dividing line. The

temp/contract staff availability measure also highlighted this shortage after

falling to 42.1 from 43.2 in March.

--MNI London Bureau; +44 203-586-2226; email: jamie.satchithanantham@marketnews.com

--MNI London Bureau; +44 203 865 3828; email: jai.lakhani@marketnews.com

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

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