Employer demand in the manufacturing sector has risen to its highest level since December last year, according to the Reed Job Index.
The Manufacturing Job Index high of 116 is a particularly good sign for longer-term economic prospects. Job demand for UK workers in the rest of the economy remains stagnant, slipping back one point in July to 102 compared to the previous two months.
Each month the Reed Job Index tracks the number of new job opportunities and salaries on offer compared to the previous month and against a baseline of 100 set in December last year. The Reed Job Index is based on data from the UK job board reed.co.uk.
Across the country the picture is mixed. New jobs in London dipped down, to give an Index reading of 98. However job demand has risen in the surrounding South East compared to last month, as well as in the North East, Scotland, the South West and Northern Ireland.
Martin Warnes, managing director of reed.co.uk, said: “Employers are still a little nervous about just how sustainable economic recovery will prove to be. At the same time however, some key job sectors bucked the trend, with demand for new staff in these areas rising to their highest level since the Index began.
“The increase in the manufacturing sector demand is particularly significant, with rises to record levels also seen for general insurance, accountancy and charity staff. Clearly while demand in the public sector falls back other areas are preparing for future growth, even though it is difficult to predict how robust this will to be over the rest of the summer.”
Lorenzo Spoerry
