Employers optimistic about jobs

JOB prospects are at their brightest for four years, with employers increasingly optimistic that they will be able to hire new staff, according to a survey by Manpower, the private employment agency, writes Robert Chote.

The survey found that 26 per cent of 2,165 employers questioned forecast increases in their employment, compared with 11 per cent expecting job losses. The positive balance of 15 per cent expecting to boost employment was half as high again as the equivalent figure three months ago.

Firms in the East Midlands were more optimistic than in any other region for the second quarter running, with firms in London showing a marked rise in optimism over the last year. Scotland and North-west England both produced more pessimistic responses than they did a year ago.

Manufacturing remains relatively optimistic, with a net balance of 20 per cent of employers expecting to hire staff in the third quarter.