Jobs Market More Positive Than 'Historic' ONS Figures Suggest

·      While today’s Office of National Statistics (ONS) figures showed a small 34,000 (0.1%) drop in the unemployment rate (for the March to May 2010 quarter), more up to date data from Reed Specialist Recruitment reveals the employment market is in an even healthier position.

·      Reed report that since April, new permanent vacancy numbers across their nationwide network are up by 28 % compared to the equivalent period last year. During the same period, Reed helped 40% more people find permanent work.

“Prospects for job hunters appear to be brighter than for some time,” commented Richard Post, Chief Executive of leading recruitment firm Reed. “Moving forward however, we recognise that the recently announced public sector spending cuts are likely to have an impact on the overall dynamics of the employment market.”

In the past three months, Reed Specialist Recruitment have seen a marked improvement in the jobs market and helped 40% more individuals find permanent employment than in the same period 12 months ago.

Outlook bright for jobseekers

Since April, employers have significantly increased their recruitment activity and placed 28% more permanent vacancies with Reed than they did in the same period last year.

Jobs market recovery widespread

Between April and June, the number of people placed in permanent, full-time positions through Reed increased significantly across most of the company’s 30 specialisms – from finance and financial services, through to property & construction, technology, healthcare and office support.

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About Reed

Founded in 1960, Reed is a specialist provider of permanent, contract, temporary and outsourced recruitment solutions, as well as IT and HR consulting. Reed operates in Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, and has over 3,000 permanent employees working out of 350 offices across 30 specialisms.

Reed Learning is the UK's learning provider of the year; reed.co.uk is Europe's biggest jobsite and Reed In Partnership is one of the world's leading Welfare To Work providers.

For further press information please contact:

Adrian Linden

PR Manager

Reed Press Office

T; 0845 241 9249

E: press.office@reedglobal.com

www.reedpressoffice.co.uk

m: 07919 967 865

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