The number of people looking for jobs in the UK has increased for the 41st consecutive month, marking nearly three and a half years of continuous growth. This comes as the number of available jobs has declined for 22 straight months, according to data from KPMG and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).
Official data indicates the unemployment rate is 4.9 per cent, though economists forecast a rise to approximately 5.3 per cent this year. Vacancies have generally decreased over the past four years.
The rise in temporary placements for the fourth month in a row suggests that individuals out of work may be taking short-term roles. Maxine Bligh, REC’s chief membership and innovation officer, noted that the increase in temporary job vacancies, the first in two years, indicates employers may be preparing to "revive hiring plans."
Industry figures are calling on the government to prioritise the jobs market and ease costs and red tape around employment. They have put pressure on Andy Burnham, John Healey, and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds to deliver a jobs boost later this year.
The KPMG report on jobs also indicated that firms are increasing pay packages for new hires, with starting salaries seeing their quickest rise in six months. London experienced the biggest increase in starting salaries.