British businesses are not doing enough to boost employees’ digital competence, according to new research commissioned by Barclays. While almost half (47{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e}) of all businesses believe better digital skills would lead to a more productive workforce, investment in digital upskilling remains low at only £109 per employee among medium...

Consumer prices in the eurozone fell for the second month running in March thanks again to falling energy prices. Prices were 0.1{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e} lower than a year ago. The figure was a small improvement on February, when deflation was running at 0.2{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e}, but it maintains pressure on the European Central...

Eight in ten employers (79 per cent) believe that economic conditions are improving, according to the latest JobsOutlook survey by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). Overall, 81 per cent of businesses plan to hire more permanent staff in the next three months. However, the data also indicates that...

The Markit/REC Report on Jobs – published today – provides the most comprehensive guide to the UK labour market, drawing on original survey data provided by recruitment consultancies. Key points: Permanent placements increase at quickest pace in three months Temp billings growth remains steady Permanent salaries rise at stronger...

The UK’s trade deficit – the difference between the amount it imports and exports – widened considerably in October, according to official figures. The monthly deficit was £4.14bn, up from £1.07bn in September. Between August and October there was a deficit of £8.4bn, a £2.4bn increase from the previous...

London’s low-paid workers, already struggling with high housing and living costs in the capital, are being disproportionately affected by rising transport costs according to a new report. The report – ‘Living on the Edge’ – was commissioned by London Councils, London TravelWatch and Trust for London and reveals the...

Two-thirds (64{6060b2de664e4eaa3e7b7e86961ce2c4bbd7a29b6c1097abf8257a4e5b07383e}) of UK employees have never received any personal finance education, according to research commissioned on behalf of the Open University Business School (OUBS) and Share Radio Two thirds of UK staff admit they have never received personal finance education such as how to manage everyday spending and...

New research revealed today by professional network LinkedIn suggests that slow adoption of new skills in the recruitment industry may be impacting the growth and productivity of UK businesses. A study of 500 senior HR and recruitment professionals revealed that nearly one in three (31 per cent) admit they...

As businesses across the economy struggle with skills shortages and seek to improve productivity, the Recruitment and Employment Confederation’s (REC’s) latest research looks at the motivations of low-paid workers in the UK. The report, called Getting On: What pay and progression looks like for low-paid workers today, gives an...

Choosing what job to do is more important than deciding when to start a family, whether to get married, and where to live, according to the results of a survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). Given a list of ten life decisions...