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
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