The easing of lockdown has boosted business confidence, which sees temp billings rise sharply
Figures from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and KPMG’s latest Report on Jobs show there was a sharp increase in the number of temp billings in March – the quickest rate since November 2017.
Wages for temporary jobs – which includes contractors, umbrella workers and those working on fixed-term contracts – also increased for the first time in three months with the rate of inflation.
The report attributes the surge in temp vacancies to the easing of the Coronavirus restrictions and the rollout of the vaccine, which it says has boosted consumer confidence.
Business confidence ‘starting to flow back’
Neil Carberry, Chief Executive of the REC, said: “The strong temporary recruitment trend of the past few months has been maintained, but with a new addition – the fastest increase in permanent job placements since 2015.
“Taken together with a long-awaited recovery in hiring in London, this is a sign that business confidence is starting to flow back, even at this early stage of unlocking.
“As companies start to recruit, they will need to appreciate that the labour market is still suffering from all sorts of shortages. So, reviewing their hiring practices and doing things in the best way possible will matter more than ever.”
Claire Warnes, Partner and Head of Education, Skills and Productivity at KPMG UK, said while it is “good news for businesses” that the job market is starting to rebound, “employers are still identifying a big skills gap across sectors including IT, construction and retail, with demand and supply not matching up”.
Demand for temps could continue to grow
Industry experts say skills gaps could be a positive thing for freelancers and contractors and may result in an increase in demand for their services.
This is despite the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showing a 700,000 drop in the number of self-employed workers in January year on year – equivalent to a 14 per cent fall in the UK’s self-employed population.
Andy Chamberlain, Director of Policy at IPSE, argued this decline is largely due to now-enforced IR35 reform in the private sector (which MPs recently described as ‘flawed’) and millions falling through the gaps in government Covid support.
He said: “It is clear that the ongoing exclusion of up to a million freelancers from SEISS as well as the deeply damaging changes to IR35 tax rules have left the sector undermined and disadvantaged compared to the rest of the workforce and economy.
“In past recessions, freelancers have been the driving force behind economic recovery and improving employment rates: if Government wants them to play this part again, it must consider new support and stimulus measures to heal this scarred sector.”
Low paid, zero hours, zero rights. Would you like fries with that sir?
what a surprise after IR35 as freelancers want paying for the extra tax and ni they now have to pay making project costs spiral for the end Client. My friend just did a days forklift driving last Friday for £29.74 hr to compensate for the extra costs – how is that going to help the economy?
The Road Haulage Association are reporting a 68% drop in UK to EU exports since the Boris Johnson Brexit deal was agreed so presumably less forklift staff will be required. That should help with the spiralling costs. Bozonomics!
I agree the contract sector should be the force behind the recovery but all the recruitment opportunities I have seen recently either don’t say or if they do these are inside ir35. I have told all recruiters I don’t do anything unless it is a proper contract role outside ir35 on ltd company terms. If not it is a disguised permanent role and I dont do these. Everyone should be saying the same to see an end to this lunacy.