Save content
Have you found this content useful? Use the button above to save it to your profile.
AIA

Robert Half upbeat despite gloomy stats

by
17th Aug 2011
Save content
Have you found this content useful? Use the button above to save it to your profile.

Recruitment consultancy Robert Half has put out an upbeat statement about the jobs market despite a surprise increase in unemployment in the second quarter.

The recruitment firm noted that employed professionals continue to look for new opportunities, indicating confidence among both hiring managers and job seekers.

Neil Owen, director of the London operations of Robert Half UK said: “Despite poor UK employment data released this morning and recent announcements within certain areas of the financial services market, we are seeing strong demand from companies in a number of sectors and regions who are still hiring.”

The firm acknowledged that those unemployed for up to six months had risen in the three months to the end of June, but was hearing from companies that they lack the talent needed to address emerging business opportunities.

“Financial and business services as well as the natural resources sector are areas where demand outweighs supply for top talent,” added Owen.

Today’s Office for National Statistics figures showed that UK unemployment rose unexpectedly by 38,000 to 2.49m in the last quarter.

The increase has come as a surprise to many economists with the jobless rate increasing to 7.9%, and the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance rising by 37,100 in July to 1.56 million - its largest increase since May 2009.

Chancellor George Osborne admitted the figures were disappointing but said they were not surprising.

He also highlighted the announcement of 11 new Enterprise Zones made today that are expected to create more than 30,000 new jobs by 2015.

The ONS has also reported that the rate of economic growth had slowed in the second quarter of the year, with GDP growing by 0.2% down from 0.5% recorded in the first three months.

 

Visit the AccountingWEB jobs board for all the latest accountancy opportunities.
Tags:

Replies (0)

Please login or register to join the discussion.

There are currently no replies, be the first to post a reply.