UK companies opting to hire temporary workers over permanent staff, recruitment firms say

Report blames Middle East conflict and rising business costs for fragile jobs market and steep fall in recruitment

UK companies are increasingly hiring temporary workers instead of permanent staff because of low confidence in the economy and higher cost pressures, according to a report.

Recruiters reported a strong increase in offers of temporary roles in May, according to new research from KPMG and the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).