Temporary roles outpace permanent jobs in UK

More employers were looking to hire temporary staff than full-time employees in March, according to recent data.

KPMG and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation’s (REC) permanent placements index has revealed continuing falls in recruitment across the UK. Permanent staff appointments fell in March, extending the current downturn to a year-and-a-half, with recruiters citing an uncertain economic outlook and ongoing hiring freezes. 

The permanent placements index stood at 43.3, while the temporary placements score fell to 45.7. An index reading above 50 indicates an increase in activity, while below 50 represents contraction. The total vacancies score was 47.2, up marginally from February’s 37-month low of 46.9.

REC chief Neil Carberry noted that while temporary recruitment has fallen from the “record highs of 2022/23”, it is still “robust”. He added: “Employers appear to be leaning on temporary work while they are uncertain about the path of the economy.”