Review of the UK Jobs Market – November

Welcome to our Review of the UK Jobs Market for November 2022. Each month, we share market insight on the state of the UK jobs market.

You can either read our short blog, or see our infographic.

Candidate shortages and economic uncertainty weigh on permanent placements in November

The main findings were:

• Permanent placements fall, temp billings expand modestly
• Softest increase in vacancies for 21 months
• Pay pressures ease slightly amid softer drop in staff supply

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Staff Appointments

Permanent placements decline again in November

Last month signalled a second successive monthly reduction in permanent staff appointments, but remained strong overall. Low candidate supply and greater caution around the economic outlook had an impact, with candidates being more reluctant to take up new roles.

Modest upturn in temp billings

The number of temporary staff in work increased again in November. A preference for temp staff and efforts to expand capacity at clients has driven an upturn in temp billings. The sharpest rise was seen in the South of England.

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Vacancies

Vacancy growth edges down to a 21-month low

The slowdown in growth of overall demand for workers was largely driven by a softer upturn in permanent vacancies. In November, permanent job roles expanded at the weekend rate since February 2021, whilst growth for temp workers remained sharp.

Data from ONS showed that overall vacancies fell slightly, but remained high by historical standards. At 1,225,000 the number of open roles was 50% higher than the number recorded before the pandemic (823,000 in the three months to February 2021).

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Staff Availability

Downturn in labour eases slightly

November saw further deterioration in permanent candidate availability, thereby stretching the rate of decline to 22 months. Although high, it was the least severe since April 2021. Lower supply is linked to a tight labour market, and a hesitancy among workers to seek or switch to a new role due to an uncertain economic climate.

Temporary candidate availability also remained on a downward trend during November with candidates preferring permanent positions, while a generally low unemployment rate and fewer overseas workers had also squeezed candidate numbers.

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Pay Pressures

As has been the case since March 2021, permanent starting salaries increased again in November. Although sharp it was the softest rise seen since April 2021. Higher rates were often linked to efforts to attract and secure candidates as competition for staff remained intense.

Softest rise in temp pay since May 2021

November saw an increase in average hourly pay for the twenty-first month running. Although this has eased a little over the last three months. Candidate shortages and greater living costs had pushed up wages. The North of England noted the quickest rise, with the softest being seen in the South of England.

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Source: KPMG and REC UK Report on Jobs 8 December 2022