REC response to ONS labour market statistics

Responding to the ONS labour market statistics published today, Neil Carberry, Chief Executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation said:

“Today's jobs stats are disappointing, if not surprising. With unemployment rising and redundancies hitting a record high, it’s clear that it will take a while for the labour market to recover from Covid.

“The key now is turning this trend around. Rising vacancies and hours worked are a sign that this is possible. Firms have learned how to work through Covid and, as REC data shows, some sectors are hiring strongly.  Our Jobs Recovery Tracker measured 1.77 million job ads in December, a record for the year.

“We need to take action to boost the recovery - supporting businesses to retain workers and create new jobs, and underpinning the transitions people will need to make. Reforming the apprenticeship levy to boost skills, reducing the cost of furlough, deferring 2020 VAT repayments and reducing the jobs tax - employers National Insurance - would all be sensible steps. The recruitment industry is ready to help.”

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