Recruitment drops again

THE availability of candidates for jobs has increased at the biggest rate for more than four years, according to recruiters.

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A survey by KPMG and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) pointed to a further reduction in recruitment activity by firms in May.

Permanent placements fell last month and the availability of candidates increased at the quickest rate for nearly four-and-a-half years amid reports of redundancies and fewer job opportunities, said the report, based on data from 400 recruitment agencies.