According to new data released from the British Chambers of Commerce, contractors across many UK industries may be in for some good news: the BCC predicts that British GDP will rise by 1.7 per cent this year and 2.2 per cent the following year.
Director general of the BCC David Frost commented that there was a real and present need for policies and regulations designed to aid in economic recovery efforts in order to maximise the UK’s economic rebalancing.
Hays has substantiated the BCC’s data, saying that so far, the year’s second half has been met with 8 per cent increases in net fees for the company, in addition to its profit margin rising by 23 per cent against the first half of 2010. At 58 per cent, over half of its net fees came from placement business for contractors, while permanent placements were at 42 per cent.
A spokesperson for Hays remarked that there have been improvements to nine out of ten UK employment markets, stressing that the recession did not impact contractors nearly as badly as some other economic downturns, especially in light of Hays losing only 9 per cent of its contractor workforce during the recession as compared to its permanent staff drop of 19 per cent.
Professionals in the change management industry, however, are still scarce, according to Badenoch & Clark’s recent August figures.
Professional services managing director for the firm, Lynne Hardman, commented that there had been a great increase in demand for the specialists due to the spate of recent bank restructurings.
In related news, August also saw record figures in regards to demands for new accountants with a 17 per cent uptick, reported the Reed Job Index.
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