UK jobs market showing 'encouraging signs'

Date: 20th January 2011

Small businesses operating in various industries across the UK could be among those seen to be expressing cautious optimism going into 2011.

The latest JobsOutlook report by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), the UK's leading recruitment industry body, has shown that despite starting the New Year on a "cautious note", many businesses are looking to expand their workforce over the coming 12 months.

Roger Tweedy, the REC's director of research, said: "It is encouraging to see that employers are setting great store in building flexibility into their workforces for the short and long-term while the economy remains in such a fragile state.

"Over the coming year, temporary work will continue to provide an important route back into the labour market."

However, Mr Tweedy also expressed some concern over the ability of private sector businesses to "absorb" the forthcoming cuts in the public sector resulting from reduced government spending.

Posted by Thomas Fletcher