UK firms optimistic about recruitment prospects

Employers in the UK are more optimistic about the prospect of taking on additional staff in 2006 than any of their European partners, according to a new report.

The study, conducted by recruitment firm Manpower, revealed that UK businesses are the most optimistic in Europe, with 18% of employers planning to take on new staff while just 9% expect to reduce staff levels.

Businesses in the finance and business services sectors were among the most confident, with a fifth planning to take on new staff, while employers in the transport and construction, and the hotel and retail sectors were less optimistic.

Regionally, businesses in the North East were found to be the most optimistic about the prospect of taking on new staff.

Mark Cahill of Manpower said, 'The results bring some festive cheer for the New Year as they show that hiring confidence has picked up after a cautious end to 2004'.