Budget must ‘bring back hiring confidence’, urge labour market experts - Personnel Today

Wednesday’s Budget needs to give businesses back the confidence to hire if the labour market is to turn around, according to labour market experts. Although the total number of active job postings was the highest in September since March 2024, and up 12.1% on the previous month, “confidence remains fragile”, said Maxine Bligh, interim chief executive at the REC, at a pre-budget press conference. “A strong and healthy labour market is fundamental to the UK’s growth position and how we compete on the global stage,” she said. “There has been uncertainty in international affairs which has had a knock-on effect, plus the biggest change in employment law for a generation.