A Senior figure in the recruitment industry has urged the Government to ensure that forthcoming regulation and spending cuts do not hit the fragile recovery in the jobs market.
Kevin Green, Chief Executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) - which represents many agencies employing interim managers - was commenting on new figures that show the smallest rise in the jobless total since mid 2008.
He said the latest figures confirm that life is returning to the UK jobs market and are consistent with the REC's own Report on Jobs which shows demand for staff at its highest level for two years.
However, despite this more positive picture the reality is that unemployment will continue to edge upwards well into next year, which is why there needs to be a real focus on helping those out of work.
He went on to say the Government must ensure that forthcoming employment regulation, increased National Insurance contributions for employers and public expenditure cuts do not hinder the fragile recovery of the UK labour market, he added.
The number of people out of work is now 2.49 million, an increase of 21,000 between August and October, while those claiming benefit in November fell by 6,300 to 1.63 million.