IT, engineering and construction contracts on the up
Contractors across the board will be pleased with the news in this month’s Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and KPMG Report on Jobs. The fastest rise in permanent placements since July 2007 was matched by increases in contract staff billings and demand for contractors. Bernard Brown, Partner and Head of Business Services at KPMG says: “The latest figures seem to confirm that the UK jobs market is on the road to recovery. Sectors such as IT and computing, as well as engineering and construction that were particularly hit by recession are clearly on the rebound.” More…
Cautious optimism for engineering, technical and construction contractors
The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS)/Markit UK Manufacturing and Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) both provide encouraging news for contractors. Manufacturing has clung on to its fifteen-year high and construction shows the ‘weakest rate of decline during the current two-year period of contraction’. “The manufacturing sector seems firmly back on the road after this severe recession,” explains David Noble, CIPS’ CEO. “We’re really seeing signs that seem to point towards a full sector recovery.” More…
Blatant discrimination: women contractors earn less than men do
Less positive news is that the gender pay gap in contracting seems to be alive and well. Women in interim management contracts are paid an average of £553 per day versus £592 per day paid to men, according to a survey published by interim specialist agency Russam GMS. And, it looks like this might be down to pure discrimination on the part of agencies and clients, as the pay gap does not seem linked to factor such as women being less able negotiators. Russam GMS Chairman Charles Russam explains: “There is no difference in the way in which male and female view money and negotiation and they face common challenges, including competition from new entrants and clients being more choosy and cost conscious.” More…
UK tax rules stifle small business growth
Contractors won’t be surprised to hear that a poll by ICM for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) suggests the UK’s complex tax system inhibits small business growth. The poll reveals that 75% of the UK’s small businesses, which includes contractor limited companies, believe that they would grow their business if the UK tax system were simplified. “The Government must recognise how important small businesses are to strengthening economic recovery. As our survey findings show, three in four would grow their business if the tax system was simpler to understand,” comments FSB National Chairman John Wright. More…
Another positive economic indicator - consumer confidence at highest for two years
The UK’s ‘feel-good barometer’, the Nationwide Consumer Confidence Index leapt up in February, following a slight post-Christmas dip in January. Renewed confidence is a key factor in driving the economy back into strong growth and indirectly increasing demand for contractors. “Consumer confidence is crucial to a strong and sustainable recovery,” says Martin Gahbauer, Nationwide’s Chief Economist, “and while confidence is likely to remain fragile for some months to come, the early signs do look positive.” More…
IT contractor clients demand action on technology skills
Many of the biggest IT contractor clients are backing the e-skills manifesto, which urges government to ‘prioritise technology and technology skills as the key to economic growth’. According to Andy Green, CEO of Logica and Chair of e-skills UK’s IT & Telecoms Industry Board: “Modern economies are driven by skilled people who create and use technology. The UK needs more, many more of these skilled people.” More…
Published: Friday, March 05, 2010
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