National jobless rate holds at 5.2% as one West Midlands recruiter reports record February placements

While UK unemployment has remained at its highest level in five years, according to new official figures, one West Midlands recruitment agency is defying the national trend.

The jobless rate held at 5.2% in the three months to January, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has confirmed, with young people aged 18 to 24 largely driving recent increases.

The West Midlands recorded an unemployment rate of 6.1% for people aged 16 and over in the same period – the third highest of any UK region, behind the North West (7.1%) and London (7.9%). 

Rates at this level have not been seen nationally since the three months to January 2021.

Record placements

Against that backdrop, Starting Point Recruitment (SPR), the multi-sector agency with offices in Walsall and Birmingham, said it is going against the grain.

February was a record month for the firm, with 90 job seekers placed in roles compared to 64 in the same month last year, a 40% year-on-year increase.

Professor Paul Cadman, CEO of SPR, said: “Despite a bleak national and regional jobs market, the West Midlands is currently experiencing huge investment and growth, and that requires talented people to resource.

“Our monthly job start numbers confirm there are plenty of great roles out there for people who are motivated and willing to work hard.”