Employment rises 'defy economy'

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has noted that the number of new jobs created appears to be in defiance of the general economic trends.

Labour market adviser for the organisation Gerwyn Davies claimed there are some particularly surprising trends to be found in the latest data from the Office for National Statistics.

He underlined the fact that the bulk of new positions created are full-time roles, although part-time vacancies are also on the rise.

Indeed, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress Brendan Barber has also acknowledged it is encouraging to see that almost three-quarters of new jobs are full-time positions.

Mr Davies added that these developments come at a time when growth forecasts are stalling and economic confidence is also stuttering.

"The downside is that, for now, we have a seemingly entrenched pattern of falling productivity and subdued pay affecting the competitiveness of employers and the living standards of employees," the expert remarked.