Recruitment over the past decade has been doing "extremely well", according to one expert.

Phil Flaxton, chief executive officer of Work Wise UK, said that compared to the 1960s and 70s, there have been "relatively low" levels of unemployment in the UK.

However, he does think that it will take some time before confidence returns to the market and unemployment trends could mirror the ups and downs of economic growth.

In the opinion of Mr Flaxton, this is related to the country’s deficit and the state of the global economy, which means it could be 2013 or 2015 before real differences are noticeable.

He added: "There is also the factor of migration coming into the country from the European market."

Mr Flaxton’s comments come after the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development stated the British economy will need to grow by 2.5 per cent between now and 2015 if the private sector is to create enough jobs.

Posted by Colette Paxton