Almost a third of UK firms plan to lay off staff over the next three months in a further sign of the coronavirus pandemic's devastating impact on Britain's job market. The British Chambers of Commerce (BBC) quarterly recruitment outlook reveals that 29 per cent of 7,400 firms surveyed expect to axe jobs over the third quarter - a record high for the study. The report - compiled in conjunction with Totaljobs - found that 28 per cent of firms polled had already cut roles between April and June. Recruitment also ground to a halt, with just 25 per cent of firms looking to take on new hires in another grim record for the report. The figures come amid mounting fears of mass unemployment as businesses shed staff to cope with the fall out from the Covid-19 crisis.

Source: Standard Digital July 16, 2020 16:41 UTC