The latest JobsOutlook from the REC shows that the overall jobs outlook is still mixed, but in the short to medium term, employers are making more use of temporary agency workers and contractors.
For the six month period beginning March this year, nearly 40,000 new businesses have been launched, a rise of 13% on the previous period, according to a study from the Royal Mail.
Lloyds Banking Group recently announced it was to cut jobs, a move that will affect 1,150 umbrella company and limited company IT contractors in the UK.
The controversy regarding the Agency Workers Directive continues, as in fact it is likely to so do for some time to come. Although the AWD does not come into force until next October, the recruitment industry is already starting to prepare for implementation.
Contractors working in the retail sector have seen their rates slashed since the recession began, according to Interim Partners’ director of retail and consumer.