This month’s findings reveal numbers of candidates placed into permanent positions in the capital increased in October, following a marginal decrease in September, with the rate of expansion the most marked since May and slightly faster than the long-run series average. 

Permanent placements also rose in line with the UK level, albeit at the weakest extent in six months, while the rate of expansion was broad-based across each of the five monitored regions, led by Scotland and the Midlands.

Billings received from the employment of temporary/contract workers in London rose for the 15th consecutive month in October, with the rate of growth up on September. Temporary billings also rose across the UK as a whole, continuing a trend dating back to May 2013. Increases were reported in each of the five surveyed regions, led by the North of England.

Demand for permanent staff in the capital rose further during October, with the pace of growth up slightly on September and among the sharpest recorded for two years. Demand for temporary staff also rose in October, although growth of demand remained weaker than the UK average in both cases.

Permanent candidate availability for London-based positions fell in October, continuing a trend witnessed in each of the past 53 months, with the rate of contraction easing for the second successive month but remaining marked. The availability of workers for permanent positions across the UK as a whole also declined during October, with the rate of deterioration remaining sharper than the long-run series average despite softening marginally from September. Regionally, permanent candidate supply fell most markedly in the South of England.

The number of people available for temporary roles in the capital also fell at the start of the Q4, with the rate of decline speeding up since September and was the sharpest recorded in 22 months. Recruitment consultancies across the UK also recorded a further drop in temporary labour supply in October, with the Midlands recording the sharpest drop in temporary labour supply. 

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