Gulf conflict tempers improving momentum in UK labour market - REC

(Alliance News) - Greater uncertainty around the economic outlook due to the Iran war and rising ...

Alliance News 10 May, 2026 | 11:03PM
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(Alliance News) - Greater uncertainty around the economic outlook due to the Iran war and rising cost pressures contributed to a faster reduction in permanent staff appointments across the UK in April, a survey on Monday said.

"So far this year we've seen signs of improving momentum but that is now being tempered by the economic effects of the Gulf conflict. Businesses will be particularly concerned about the impact on inflation, their borrowing costs and any disruption to wider supply chains," said REC Chief Executive Neil Carberry.

The KPMG and Recruitment & Employment Confederation UK Report on Jobs showed the permanent placements index fell to 47.5 in April from 49.2 in March and below the 50.0 no change mark.

The permanent placements index has been in contraction since October 2022, although the pace of reduction in April remained weaker than the average seen over 2025.

Hiring was dampened by relatively subdued economic conditions and low business confidence - which have been exacerbated by the war in Iran.

Rising inflation and greater staff costs have impacted hiring decisions.

More positively, temporary billings increased at the start of the second quarter after falling modestly in the prior two months.

The temporary billings index recorded 50.4 in April, climbing from 48.4 in March.

It marked the strongest uplift in two-and-a-half years with recruiters noting a preference for short-term staff amid prevailing economic and geopolitical uncertainty.

Overall, the report showed demand for staff continued to decline in April, falling for the thirtieth successive month.

However, the rate of contraction continued to ease, and was the softest seen for nearly a year.

Starting salaries for permanent workers increased again at the start of the second quarter. Temp pay growth also strengthened since March, but remained historically subdued.

The overall availability of workers continued to increase markedly in April with redundancies and lower demand for staff cited as key factors driving the latest rise in candidate numbers.

By Jeremy Cutler, Alliance News reporter

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