The UK employment market remained in freefall during May as the coronavirus lockdown kept businesses closed.
A latest survey by accountants KPMG showed demand for staff rose to 19.3 from April's record low of 9.3. But despite the jump, this figure was a long way from the 50 dividing line between rising and falling demand and it marked the second-worst reading in the survey's 23-year history.
"Given the impact of the lockdown in early May, it's no surprise that these figures look bleak," Recruitment and Employment Confederation industry body chief executive Neil Carberry said.
The medical and nursing care sector was the only one to show an increase in demand for staff, the report showed.
Demand in the retail and hotel and catering sectors cratered.
Still, Carberry said he had heard hints of optimism from business leaders.
"There is a long way to go, but it's time to talk about how we recover from this crisis," he added.
