“This is more evidence of the growing skills crisis in the UK, and backs up the REC’s data showing falling candidate availability.
“With real wages now falling, the main way to secure a pay rise is to move jobs. Recruiters are reporting that starting salaries continue to increase as employers offer pay incentives to attract the talent they need. At the same time, signs that the economy is creaking could be putting some people off from moving jobs and taking the associated risks.
“Whichever party forms a government after 8 June will have to get to grips with multiple challenges to keep the jobs market on course. Addressing the skills shortage needs to be a priority, because businesses will suffer if they are unable to fill vacancies. We need serious investment in skills for UK jobseekers, as well as an approach to immigration which is agile and pragmatic enough to meet labour market needs.
