HIRING in the North West has bounced back after being hit by Brexit jitters, new figures show.

Data from the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) and Vacancysoft shows that recruiting slowed in the latter months of last year, with the number of new openings in the last five months of 2016 11.4 per cent lower than the same period in 2015. However, the start of 2017 saw a revival in confidence and a surge in demand, with vacancies up an impressive 39.4 per cent month-on-month in January.

APSCo regional director Moya Rylands said: “Given the sharp drop in demand experienced following the referendum, the resulting growth is significantly more positive.”