August recorded a slight growth in permanent and temporary appointments, according to the latest REC/KPMG Report on Jobs.

The growth of permanent appointments was the first in 17 months and the first increase in temp billings since July 2008.
 
The rate of contraction in staff demand eased and the latest drop in overall vacancies was the weakest for just over a year.

However, pay rates continued to fall in August and candidate availability to fill job vacancies continued to rise strongly in August, though improvement rates in both permanent and temporary/contract staff availability were the weakest for a year.

 
Kevin Green, chief executive of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation, says: “For the first time in 17 months, this month’s report shows signs that the UK jobs market is improving.  It seems that employers are becoming more confident in their hiring decisions with an increase in permanent recruitment and growth in temporary placements for the first time in over a year.  
 
“The stabilisation in the jobs environment must not be put at risk by the introduction of ill-designed regulations like the Agency Workers Directive. This legislation needs careful consideration to avoid putting jobs at risk and must not be introduced until the last possible moment in 2011.   

“Unemployment will continue into 2010 so we call on the government, employers and recruitment businesses to work more effectively together to build on these green shoots and safeguard the recovery of the jobs market.”