Labour market improves further in October

Small businesses look to be among those increasing their staff numbers after further evidence of an improving labour market was published.

Indeed, the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) revealed this week that permanent appointment numbers grew in October for the first time since May.

Furthermore, the growth in temporary billing numbers across the month was at its fastest pace for 18 months, while overall job vacancy numbers also rose dramatically.

Chief executive of the REC, Kevin Green, said the figures show "exciting news" for the UK's labour market.

"The positive performance we've seen from the UK jobs market over the past year is accelerating, with increases in the number of people placed into both temporary and permanent work last month," he explained.

The figures are as positive as GE Capital's, published earlier this week, which revealed that smaller businesses are looking to recruit an extra 450,000 workers over the next 12 months.

Posted by Emily Smith

Date published 9 Nov 2012 | Last updated 9 Nov 2012