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Remarkable figures reflect the resilience of the UK labour market - REC

Responding to the latest employment figures released today by the Office for National Statistics which show a further decline in unemployment, the Recruitment and Employment Confederation CEO Kevin Green says:

“These are a remarkable set of figures which reflect the resilience of the UK labour market and show that the private sector is more confident about its business than reports would have us believe.

“Businesses in sectors such as healthcare, IT and engineering, are creating new jobs and driving demand for workers. Even the more cautious employers are holding on to staff because they are expecting an uptick in the economy at large – it’s more expensive to lose people now and then have to recruit again if business picks up in a few months’ time. These two factors combined are outweighing the poorer performing areas like the public sector and certain industries such as construction and hospitality.

“With a million young people out of work and the figures likely to get worse before they get better, youth unemployment has to be a priority for the new Employment minister Mark Hoban.  The government needs to do more to improve careers advice to help graduates and school leavers get on the first rung of the career ladder.”

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