Every region of the UK saw an increase in job numbers over the past month, according to the latest Job Index from recruitment company Reed.

Reed’s October Job Index showed a figure of 129 for October, an eight point rise on September’s result. The increase means the number of jobs is now similar to that shown at the start of 2011.

The Index also showed that employer demand is up by 23% compared to the same period last year.

The growth in job numbers was most pronounced in Wales (index up 12 points), London (+10) and Scotland (+10), but even the slowest-growing regions (East Anglia, North East England, North West England) registered rises of 6 points.

Charities and the voluntary sector saw a huge rise of 43 points on the Index, with IT and telecoms the second highest riser (index up 24 points) and transport and logistics in third place (+19). The banking industry, energy, engineering, estate agency, general insurance, purchasing, scientific, social care and training all registered rises of over 10 points.

The energy and estate agency sectors lead salary increases with seven points each.

Martin Warnes, managing director of reed.co.uk, says: “We do need to be careful not to get carried away by one month’s figures, especially as this increase only brings us back to the level of demand for new staff that the UK was experiencing in the spring. 

“Nevertheless, the rise suggests a return of employer optimism to a level not seen for the last eight months.”

The full data of the October Jobs Index can be found here: http://www.reed.co.uk/resources/downloads/ReedJobIndexOctober2011Report.pdf

Posted by Beth O’Shea

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