“Employment has reached a record high but employment growth has significantly slowed following a period of sharp growth. Despite the recent slowdown, the jobs market remains tight. It’s imperative that the Government’s post-Brexit immigration policy does not impose unreasonable restrictions on employers given the prevalence of skill shortages. In particular, it’s essential that the introduction of an Australian-style points-based system prioritises employers’ skills and labour needs.
Davies continues: “Growth has slowed to a trickle in many sectors apart from health and public administration, which continues to see relatively strong growth. In contrast, employment levels are continuing to fall in some consumer-facing sectors such as construction and retail. The encouraging news is that these sectors look set to benefit most from the continued rise in real wages and more political certainty.”
