Jobs market 'turning a corner'

The jobs market appears to be "turning a corner" after a bleak few months even though the economic outlook remains uncertain, according to new research.

A report by recruitment firm Manpower indicated a return to jobs being created, while a separate study by employment firm Monster showed an increase in online job vacancies.

Manpower said a survey of more than 2,000 employers showed a slight majority of those planning to recruit staff rather than cut back, although the picture was "mixed" outside London.

The Olympic Games was boosting confidence in the capital despite a wave of redundancies in the City.

Manpower UK managing director Mark Cahill said: "Although it's too early to say that a full-blown recovery is upon us, it does feel like we're turning a corner when it comes to the jobs market.

"Businesses that were battening down the hatches in the last quarter appear to be considering taking on staff. We've noticed much more flexibility among employers, particularly in the market for permanent hiring.

"The early signs of optimism are reinforced by other economic statistics of late, which point us away from a double dip recession in the direction of growth - albeit at a slow pace."

Many of the Olympics jobs will be temporary, but the "Games effect" could help lead the UK out of recession and into economic recovery, said Manpower.

Meanwhile, Monster said there had been a 4% increase in online jobs over the past year, driven by growth in the engineering industry, although jobs had fallen in legal, healthcare and among management positions.

"While the economic outlook remains uncertain, it is encouraging to observe that more than a third of industries across the UK have exhibited annual growth in online recruitment in February," said Julian Acquari, managing director of Monster UK & Ireland.