74% of UK firms report Q2 Recruitment Difficulties

Businesses across the UK report recruitment was more difficult in Q2 2024, with more firms facing problems hiring staff, according to the latest Quarterly Recruitment Outlook (QRO), a survey of more than 4,700 UK firms of all sectors and sizes by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Insights Unit. The data shows that of the firms who tried to hire in Q2, 74% reported recruitment difficulties, compared with 66% in the year’s first three months. Construction and engineering firms are bearing the brunt of staffing issues, with 82% reporting recruitment problems in Q2, up from 69% in Q1. At the same time, 79% of firms in the transport and logistics sector said they had faced difficulties (up from 69% in Q1). In production and manufacturing, 77% of businesses that tried to recruit also faced problems, up from 70% in the previous quarter. Jane Gratton, deputy director public policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said, “It’s alarming that recruitment difficulties have increased in recent months across all sectors. The very sharp rise in the construction industry is particularly worrying.” “People shortages and labour costs are ramping up pressure on firms and holding back growth,” Gratton added. “We need to prioritise help for people to get back into the labour market and remove the barriers to business investment in training.” Source: Staffing Industry Analysts- 16th July 2024