Topics

Economy

Sheila Attwood Editor's message: The state of the economy in which an organisation operates will impact on its level of business, and how easy, or otherwise, it is to recruit and retain the staff it needs. HR and reward professionals can keep track of inflation rates, labour market data and other key economic indicators to understand the context in which their organisation is recruiting, retaining and rewarding its employees.

Official statistics from the Office of National Statistics show that economic growth is very slow, the labour market is starting to ease and unemployment is slowly rising. With both CPI and RPI inflation measures at historically high levels, employees are struggling with the cost of living but employers are stepping in with additional support.

Sheila Attwood, senior content manager, data and HR insights

New and updated

  • Type:
    Economic data

    Recruitment

    Updated to include data for February 2024 on the availability and recruitment of permanent and temporary staff from the KPMG and REC UK Report on Jobs compiled by S&P Global in association with the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC).

  • Type:
    Economic data

    Employment

    Updated to include the latest official statistics from the ONS on employment and unemployment. The next ONS release date is 16 April 2024. 

  • Type:
    Economic data

    Labour disputes

    Updated to include official statistics from the ONS for January 2024 on days lost to labour disputes and the number of stoppages. The next ONS release date is 16 April 2024. 

  • Type:
    Economic data

    Inflation

    Updated to include official inflation data from the ONS for December 2023, along with the latest forecasts for RPI and CPI inflation from our panel of economists. The next ONS release date is 20 March 2024

  • Type:
    Editor's choice

    XpertHR's Quick reference: The complete list

    Our quick references provide key employment law facts on a wide range of topics.

  • Type:
    Editor's choice

    Cost of living: resource round-up

    A round-up of XpertHR resources on the cost-of-living crisis.

  • Date:
    25 November 2022
    Type:
    Survey analysis

    HR priorities 2023: XpertHR survey

    HR is anticipating another challenging year as they play a key role in protecting the business in uncertain economic times by ensuring the right people are in the right roles, while also supporting employees sustainably through the cost-of-living crisis.

  • Date:
    25 November 2022
    Type:
    Survey analysis

    Employers' response to the cost-of-living crisis: XpertHR survey 2022

    Pay settlements have risen to their highest levels for 30 years, but most still fall short of inflation. We look at how the pressure on living standards caused by the cost-of-living crisis means employers are looking at other levers to support employees.

  • Date:
    24 November 2022
    Type:
    Podcasts and webinars

    Webinar: XpertHR Cendex pay and labour market update, winter 2022

    XpertHR's Sheila Attwood sets the scene for 2023 pay reviews with a look at the economic and labour market background before sharing the results of our latest pay forecasts research.

  • Date:
    20 October 2022
    Type:
    Survey analysis

    Pay planning and forecasts for 2022/2023

    In the face of a tight labour market and record high inflation, pay settlements have risen to their highest levels for 30 years. But with inflation easing and the economy faltering, we look at likely pay rises over the coming 12 months.

About this topic

HR and legal information and guidance relating to the economy.

Economy: key resources

Tools for pay specialists