Hiring freeze looms as rising costs and weak demand stall UK job market

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Employers across the UK are slowing hiring as they grapple with higher labour costs and the threat of more tax increases later this year. A new report from KPMG and the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) shows recruitment activity in July stayed close to its lowest point in two years. The permanent placements index crawled up to 40 from June’s 39.1, far from the 50 level that separates growth and contraction. Kate Shoesmith, REC’s deputy chief executive, said many employers, especially...