Starting salaries for permanent staff in Britain declined last month at the slowest pace ​since October, according to a survey that also showed the downturn in the number of new permanent staff recruiters hired eased.

The monthly ​gauge of permanent job placements from ​the Recruitment and Employment Confederation trade body ⁠and accountants KPMG rose to its highest level ​in nearly three years, but remained slightly in ​contraction territory.

“Despite a marginal fall in hiring last month, the jobs market was showing its strongest signs ​of improvement in three years, with hiring ​at its closest point to turning positive,” Jon Holt, group ‌chief ⁠executive and UK senior partner at KPMG, said.

REC and KPMG also said:

  • The survey’s permanent staff placements gauge came in at 49.2 in ​February, up ​from 46.9 ⁠in January.
  • Temporary staff hiring index fell to 48.0 from 50.3.
  • The availability ​of candidates for permanent roles rose ​sharply.
  • Availability ⁠of temporary staff increased at the softest pace in more than a year.
  • The survey was based ⁠on ​responses from a panel ​of around 400 recruitment agencies between February 10 and February ​23.