Key findings
Data collected April 11-25
Summary
Recruitment activity across the UK continued to rise at a robust pace in April, according to the latest KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs survey. However, ongoing candidate shortages weighed on overall growth, with both permanent placements and temp billings expanding at the slowest rates for at least a year as recruiters struggled to fill a number of roles. Although easing slightly from the previous month, the deterioration in total candidate supply remained rapid in April.
Demand for staff rose at a historically sharp pace, despite a slight softening in the rate of overall vacancy growth. Increased competition for scarce candidates placed further upward pressure on pay, with the pace of starting salary inflation holding close to March’s survey record.
The report is compiled by S&P Global from responses to questionnaires sent to a panel of around 400 UK recruitment and employment consultancies.
Permanent placement growth slips to 13-month low
Recruitment consultancies across the UK registered further sharp rises in both permanent placements and temp billings at the start of the second quarter amid reports of rising activity at clients and robust demand for staff. That said, the rates of growth eased to 13- and 12-month lows, respectively, as low candidate supply constrained the overall upturns in hiring activity.
