Outlook on job front is ‘positive’

The jobs outlook has turned positive for the first time in more than a year as fewer firms plan redundancies, according to a new study.

A survey of 1,000 employers showed a positive difference between those planning to recruit staff compared to firms expecting lay-offs.

But the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) warned that any optimism should be tempered by continued caution among employers about their medium-term prospects.

The more optimistic outlook was driven by a fall in the number of firms and public-sector organisations intending to make staff redundant rather than a rise in recruitment plans.

Gerwyn Davies, of the CIPD, said: “The jobs market is desperately seeking good news, so this latest set of positive figures is very welcome. However, any short-term jobs recovery may not be sustained because of the zigzagging economic backdrop.”