Employers are becoming increasingly reluctant to take on staff in the current economic climate, the UK's longest-running employment survey said yesterday.
The Manpower study, which covers recruitment intentions for the next three months, has not been as weak at this time of year since 1999.
Manufacturers are clawing back costs, although public sector recruitment and confidence in the north remained healthy, the survey said.
The study, carried out among 2,000 firms prior to the war in Iraq, adds fuel to City forecasts that unemployment will rise from its current record lows.
Tuesday April 1 2003
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