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Average pay for temporary or contract staff rose at the quickest pace since last September, according to the new IHS Markit/REC Report on Jobs.
Average starting salaries also continued to increase sharply in March, despite the rate of inflation softening to a ten-month low.
March data signalled a further sharp increase in permanent staff placements across the UK, with the pace of expansion edging up fractionally since February. In contrast, temp billings expanded at the weakest pace for over a year.
Staff vacancies continued to rise at the end of the first quarter. This was despite growth of demand easing slightly to the lowest for 15 months, driven by a weaker upturn in temporary staff positions.
Hotel and catering saw the most pronounced increase in demand for short-term staff, followed by Blue Collar.
REC director of policy Tom Hadley says: “Permanent placements are growing month on month as demand for staff remains high. More people are entering employment, but it doesn’t make up for the shortfall of candidates for many roles, from cyber security and aerospace through to sewing machinists and drivers.
“As a result, employers are increasing starting pay to draw candidates away from current roles into new positions. Growth in pay for temporary roles especially is accelerating. In hospitality, demand for temporary staff is really high, but businesses have had fewer applicants from the EU since the Brexit vote. Employers are working hard to make themselves attractive to UK nationals, but they will still need temporary roles to be filled by EU nationals post-Brexit and the government must allow for this.
“Candidates planning to move jobs have a strong chance of getting a pay rise. With inflation outstripping pay growth for over a year now, high pay offers will be tempting, as the pressure on starting salaries still isn’t translating into pay rises for staff who stay put. Employers need to look at other means to keep staff, such as creating a good workplace culture and offering progression opportunities.”
