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Demand for staff 'dropped in February'

Mar 06 2009

New research from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) shows the 'downward spiral' in the labour market continues.

The monthly Report on Jobs, published by the organisation and professional services provider KPMG, shows demand for workers reduced sharply in February.

New vacancies contracted at the fastest pace recorded by the survey, while permanent and temporary placements decreased at a near-record rate.

Kevin Green, chief executive of the REC, adds: 'It is clear that we have not yet hit the bottom of the jobs market with demand for staff continuing to contract. Every job must be seen as an opportunity to keep people in work.'

He also suggests that the government avoids any additional regulation which discourages firms from using flexible working arrangements such as temporary, interim and contract positions.

Recent figures from the Confederation of British Industry revealed that jobs in the service sector are being lost at the fastest rate in ten years, driven by falls in business volumes and profitability.

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