JobsOutlook reveals fall in economic confidence

Confidence in the UK economy has fallen to its lowest level since June 2016, according to the latest JobsOutlook survey by the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC).

The findings, released this morning, shows 33% of employers think economic conditions are worsening. This is higher than the 26% that see improving conditions – pushing the net balance further into negative territory, from -3 last month to -7 in September.

However, despite these findings, confidence in hiring and investment decisions actually remains positive at +10%, unchanged from last month. And hiring intentions are holding up, with one in five (19%) planning to increase permanent headcount in the next quarter.

The latest JobsOutlook survey of 600 employers also shows:

  • 59% say that agency workers are important to responding to growth
  • 36% expect to find a shortage of temporary agency workers to meet their needs
  • A shortage of temporary workers is expected in the construction sector in particular
  • A shortage of candidates to fill permanent health and social care roles is anticipated 

• Want to comment on this story? Email us at [email protected] or tweet us below to tell us your thoughts. We will run comments online in a round-up at the end of the week.

Email story to a friend

CONTRACTS & DEALS: 4-8 MARCH 2024

This week’s new contracts & deals include: Salt, The City Recruiter, Zelo Digital

Contracts 4 March 2024
Employability Senior Citizen with Carer iStock

Home care provider starts third level education fund for staff and children

Caremark has launched a recruitment initiative to fund staff, or their children, through an Open University degree.

New to Market 1 February 2024

Dept for Education campaign to encourage staff to teach in Further Education

The Department for Education’s Teach in Further Education campaign is calling on those with industry experience to teach in FE.

New to Market 18 January 2024

New migrant salary thresholds: necessary hardline or financial own goal for UK government?

Newly-proposed government changes to work immigration rules will cause significant difficulties for recruiters and employers, immigration lawyers have warned.

Legislation 11 December 2023
Top