Rising fuel prices are reducing the distance temporary workers are willing to commute to work, according to recruiters.

John Salisbury, managing director of temporary agency labour procurer de Poel, told Recruiter: “Rising fuel costs have a direct impact upon the distance that temporary workers are willing to travel for work.

“If fuel prices continue to rise unchecked, I suspect we will see a slowing in demand for temporary workers and a less flexible temporary workforce that is seeking work closer to home.”

Ahead of the Budget on Wednesday, Salisbury says that de Poel supports proposals for a fuel price regulator, which would see the amount that the government receives from oil companies and consumers of fuel vary depending upon its wholesale price.

Richard Smith, group managing director at Reed, adds: “The message from our consultants is that, over the past three months our temporary workers have begun to put distance of commute as one of their key priorities if they are not able to use public transport to easily reach the employer location. This is now at the top of their agenda, above hourly rate or the type of work.

“We’re increasingly seeing candidates who aren’t prepared to sign up for long commutes where they can’t use public transport. While the impact on their pocket is a factor, we are also seeing a much more heightened awareness to be more environmentally responsible.

“Forward-thinking employers have measures in place to ensure that the commute is ‘greener’ and more cost-effective for their staff. This can include car share and cycle schemes, opportunities to work from home or even the introduction of satellite offices.”