Recent data from a survey of recruiters in the UK revealed a noticeable cooling in the labour market. Permanent job placements saw a sharp decline, marking the fastest pace drop in five months. Additionally, starting pay growth for permanent staff also slowed to a five-month low, indicating one of the weakest readings since early 2021.
Jon Holt, KPMG’s UK chief executive and senior partner, highlighted the fluctuating business confidence in the region despite a recent interest rate cut from the Bank of England. He mentioned that while salaries did see a rise last month, it was at the weakest rate since March. This could potentially strengthen the argument for more interest rate cuts when the Monetary Policy Committee convenes to discuss the future path of interest rates.
Although the majority of economists surveyed by Reuters anticipate that the Bank of England will hold off on further rate cuts until November, financial markets currently indicate a one-in-four chance of a rate cut as early as September 19th. The upcoming official labour market data release is anticipated to show robust employment growth but a continued moderation in pay growth, further reflecting the cooling trend observed in the recent survey findings.
The latest data paints a concerning picture of the UK labour market, with both job placements and pay growth showing signs of slowing down. This could have significant implications for the future of interest rates in the country, as policymakers may consider further cuts to stimulate economic activity. As businesses grapple with fluctuating confidence levels, it remains to be seen how the government and central bank will navigate these challenges to ensure sustainable growth and stability in the UK economy.
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