Hiring conditions remained challenging in December, according to the latest KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs: North of England survey. Permanent placements were down at the quickest rate seen since mid-2020, while there was a sustained rapid drop in temp billings. At the same time, vacancy trends turned more negative in December and the supply of workers increased at a quicker rate on the month. The KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs: North of England is compiled by S&P Global from responses to questionnaires sent to around 150 recruitment and employment consultancies in the North of England. Decline in permanent placements deepens in December The seasonally adjusted Permanent Placements Index fell further into contraction territory in December, to signal a substantial drop in permanent staff appointments across the North of England. The rate of decline was the fastest seen in four-and-a-half years and the second-quickest regionally, surpassed only by the South where the downturn was slightly faster. Survey respondents linked the contraction to reduced vacancies and increased hesitancy among firms to hire following the Autumn Budget. December data pointed to a second successive monthly decrease in temp billings across the North of England. A drop in demand for short-term staff and the non-renewal of contracts drove the latest downturn, according to respondents. Though slower than November’s recent record, the rate of decline in December was nevertheless strong and faster than that seen for the UK overall. As in November, December saw a further drop in the number of job vacancies for both types of staff across the North of England. The trend for permanent job openings turned more negative in December. The decrease was marked and the quickest since August 2020. Regionally, the South of England and the Midlands recorded a faster drop in permanent vacancies than that seen locally. Meanwhile, temp vacancies fell solidly and at the quickest rate seen for four-and-a-half years in December. Further substantial rise in permanent staff supply There was another substantial boost to permanent staff availability in the North of England in December, thereby stretching the current run of uplifts to exactly a year. The latest increase was linked by recruiters to a rise in redundancies and skills mismatches. The local pace of expansion accelerated to its strongest for seven months and remained faster than the UK average. Recruiters based in the North of England signalled a further robust rise in temporary staff supply during December, thereby extending the current trend of growth to 22 months. Panel members often linked the improvement in the availability of short-term staff to the ongoing market downturn. The local uplift in temp staff availability in December was more pronounced on the month and slightly stronger than the UK average. Strongest rate of starting salary inflation for four months Recruitment consultancies in the North of England pointed to another monthly increase in permanent starting salaries in December, thereby extending the current sequence of growth to nearly four years. The respective seasonally adjusted index rose in each month of the final quarter, placing the rate of inflation at a four-month high that was strong overall. Panellists linked the rise to increased competition for skilled staff. Of the four monitored regions, only London posted faster salary growth than that seen locally. December survey data signalled a thirteenth consecutive monthly rise in short-term wages across the North of England. Amid another marked increase in the availability of temporary staff, the rate of inflation was only marginal and subdued by historical standards. The rate of temporary pay growth across the North of England was largely in line with the UK trend in December. Phil Murden, Yorkshire Office Senior Partner at KPMG UK, said: “The steepest drop in permanent hires since mid-2020 shows Yorkshire businesses continue to navigate a complex labour market. “This, compounded by a broadening gap between supply and demand of permanent and temporary staff points to a challenging outlook for 2025. It’s clear that many businesses remain cautious about hiring. “That said, a new year brings new opportunities and with recruitment consultancies reporting the strongest rate of starting salary inflation in December, 2025 could see an uplift in skilled staff hires to drive growth plans.” Neil Carberry, REC Chief Executive, said: “This report emphasises a weak mood in some businesses as they built their budgets for this year, and made changes designed to save on costs after a tough Budget. That said, sentiment can change quickly. There was a softer drop in temp billings signalled in the North. “December is always a hiring low point, and a new year brings new hope – with inflation under control, low unemployment and economic growth expected, the fundamentals are better than many appreciate. “It is what happens now, as firms return to the market in January, that will decide the path ahead. Recruitment is one to watch in early 2025 because it is one of the earliest indicators of a broader economic recovery, with any sign of a turn hugely significant with the sector contributing a massive £44.4bn to the UK economy in 2023.”

It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.  It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years. Here we speak to Jeremy Hughes, Director at RBH Properties and developer of Pennine Five in Sheffield. Following a challenging 2024, marked by continued political uncertainty and the Autumn Budget, the commercial property market is entering 2025 with far more clarity. While some economic challenges remain, occupiers and landlords now have a clearer vision of what’s needed – high-quality, flexible spaces that not only appeal to employers but also meet the needs of employees. The good news is that the ‘return to the office’ is definitely happening. Businesses are starting to take their office space seriously again and understand the crucial role it plays in attracting and retaining talent. I expect this trend to gain even more momentum in 2025. However, due to the challenging business environment of recent years, not every business can afford to step into a new Grade A development. And even if they can, many cities, Sheffield being one, have a limited supply of brand-new commercial developments – an unfortunate legacy of Covid-19. Therefore, it’s essential for cities to strike the right balance in their commercial offering – delivering more affordable high-quality spaces that still feature outstanding amenities and flexible leasing terms, to complement flagship developments. We’re seeing this combination prove very popular at our revitalised Pennine Five office campus in Sheffield, which is attracting a diverse mix of technology SMEs, innovation firms, and serviced office providers like Spaces. I’m confident that 2025 will be a strong year for the commercial property sector.

Agricultural industry training is being offered to young farmers at a vastly reduced rate through a funding partnership between the Yorkshire Food Farming and Rural Network at the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and Askham Bryan College. The college is offering partly-funded places on a range of agricultural industry courses to its current students and members of Young Farmers’ Clubs living or working in North Yorkshire. The concessionary rate of up to 80% off these course opportunities including Tractor Driving, Pesticide application and Forklift Handling has been secured for farming students by the Yorkshire Food Farming and Rural Network. It is part of a new programme of activity that uses legacy funding secured from the Partnership Investment Fund Limited by YFFRN to offer a training support programme for the benefit of rural and farming SMEs. Madge Moore, Chair of the Yorkshire Food Farming and Rural Network at the Yorkshire Agricultural Society said: “This is an excellent opportunity for young people to obtain training and certification that is financially supported in key subject areas that are essential to have as you progress through your farming career. “All of these courses help to raise awareness of the need to operate safely and within the required legislation, providing an essential foundation for any career in agriculture.” Askham Bryan students studying on one of the range of agriculture courses in livestock and crop production, as well as members of the Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs are able to benefit from these heavily reduced industry tickets to improve their employability and skills for when they enter the workforce.

The board of business leaders behind Hull Kingston Rovers has confirmed a masterplan for community and sporting excellence designed to provide a platform for success on and off the field. The Super League club has received a positive initial response to proposals for a sports campus development bringing together community and commercial elements, with national brands are ready to move pending the outcome of a planning application in the spring. Rovers chairman Paul Sewell said heads of terms have been agreed with two big retailers for an investment capable of creating more than 100 jobs and generating revenue to support the club’s on-field ambitions. He said: “The vision is a sports campus. It will be the cornerstone of our plans for the future and will build on the potential of other projects which we have already delivered and which are creating a legacy for the community. “We will be going for planning permission in the spring and we are encouraged by the response to the pre-application process. We aim to have spades in the ground within a few months of permission being granted.” Dr Sewell is also chair of Sewell Group, which works across investments, consultancy, data mapping and intelligence, construction and facilities management and announced a deal in January 2022 for the naming rights of  Rovers’ stadium, Sewell Group Craven Park. In December 2022 he was appointed chair of the club and charged with leading a new board to work alongside the club’s chief executive, Paul Lakin, and support the owner, Hull-based solicitor Dr Neil Hudgell. Among the recruits were David Kilburn, the co-founder of MKM Building Supplies, James McNicol, managing director of London-based Oil Brokerage Ltd, and Becky Oughtibridge, director of professional services at Sewell Group. Another member, Ian Richardson, brought international experience in sectors including law, health and beauty. He has now stepped down having retired from his other business roles, but he remains excited about the club’s potential. He said: “I have really enjoyed my two years on the board and would highly recommend the experience. An exciting potential is being realised, and I will follow future progress with pride and fondness.” Dr Sewell added: “Ian has made a significant contribution at a pivotal time in our development. His calm and considered approach will be a hard act to follow. We will look for someone who fits the culture and  shares our values and passion for revitalising the club, the wider game, and hence the community.”