smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

Companies in the private sector are increasing the number of staff on their payroll, finds a report.

A balance of 26 per cent of employers increased their workforce of permanent staff, while a net 16 per cent hired more temporary staff, according to research from the Recruitment Employment Confederation (REC).

Kevin Green, chief executive of the REC, says: ‘This report highlights continued growth in both temporary and permanent employment, although the rate of growth has slowed slightly compared to previous months. The first test of the new administration will be to nurture the slowly improving but fragile jobs market. 

‘The incoming government must address two immediate priorities, stimulating jobs growth and reducing expenditure without creating a public sector recession through shedding thousands of posts.’

This follows a survey from the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development, which found that 29 per cent of private employers are looking to hire more staff, up from 5 per cent in the previous quarter.