Up to 50% of London’s businesses plan to grow their workforce in 2015 and almost the same amount are expecting to pay their current employees more this year. In what’s billed as great news for graduates and job hunters alike, the news is another illustration of the confidence being felt in the UK capital’s booming business market.
The figures come from the CBI/Accenture Employment Trends Survey. Examining 127 firms across the capital, they discovered 54% said they would be growing their number of employees this year. 43% are planning a pay rise. Many of the new jobs are being created for graduates intake as well as apprentices and many are permanent.
A second survey from the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply says firms across IT and accountancy as well as the service industry, are hiring staff at one of the fastest rates for two decades, with around 70,000 new staff being taken on every month. Those numbers are based on UK figures but the strongest growth remains in London.
The buoyant economy is good news for those who live and work in the capital. More jobs means more people moving to London, looking to spend money in the capital and filtering wealth along the supply chain. Pay rises are also good news for employees as it means pressure is relieved on those who might have wanted to see a healthier monthly income, especially with the rising cost of living in the capital.
Lower oil prices are beginning to have a positive effect on companies as it is reducing their costs to the lowest since 2009, the height of the downturn. This growth will make companies feel they have more money to play with and will feel more confident hiring new staff and exploring areas for growth.
At Clarendon we work extensively with firms looking for a place to home relocating staff. Those filling new positions don’t necessarily come from London itself; they can be from other cities around the UK or from Europe. London is such a hub of activity and has such a diverse range of businesses that it attracts candidates from around the world for new positions. Relocation can be a stressful experience and many companies rely on serviced apartments to house their newest recruits. With studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments Clarendon’s serviced apartments suit a wide variety of recruits, whether they are moving alone or with their family. With a fully fitted kitchen, more living space than a hotel room as well as being in a variety of central locations across the capital a serviced apartment provides a “home from home” for recruits as they settle into their new job and it removes the pressure for them to start house-hunting before they’ve even seen their new desk.
The growth in new jobs in the capital is great news for companies like Clarendon. More new recruits means more people looking for a place to stay and with relocation serviced apartment really is the most cost-effective and flexible solution to moving to the capital.