Head office | 01772 653 000

Fylde coast office | 01253 347 063

Although payroll employment continues to rise and the unemployment rate is falling, the headline figures more reflect several distorting factors, including rising economic inactivity, rather than the reality on the ground.

Record jobs vacancies highlight the perilous hiring crunch facing businesses. With rising economic inactivity confirming that the UK workforce is shrinking, labour shortages are likely to persistently drag on UK growth by stifling firms’ ability to operate at full capacity.

Although total earnings growth rose sharply, the robust headline figure more reflects strong bonus payments rather than a meaningful improvement in underlying wage growth. Despite recruitment difficulties, the damage to firm’s finances from soaring inflation and rising national insurance will limit the extent to wages can continue rising.

While demand for workers is currently strong, the squeeze on firms’ finances from soaring energy bills, surging inflation, and the increase in national insurance is likely to weaken recruitment intentions and weaken wage growth in the near term.

Chambers are calling for an emergency budget to give firms the breathing space to recruit and retain staff, including reversing the recently introduced National Insurance increase until at least the next financial year

Share Follow NWL Chamber on Facebook Twitter Share Follow NWL Chamber on LinkedIn Back to News channel

Latest Articles

Live Chat

OUR PATRON MEMBERS

blackpool and the fylde college code galaxy logo fi real estate management fox group garratts lal_full_colour merlin ryan logo Studio LWD logo Sustainable Energy First Logo team leyland logo