EIGHT out of 10 employers in Yorkshire plan to make no change to staffing levels, a survey says today.

Figures from recruitment agency Manpower show that 8% of bosses in the region expect to increase the size of their workforce in the final quarter of the year while a similar percentage expect to axe jobs.

But a massive 84% forecast no change to current staffing levels.

Amanda White, Manpower’s operations manager for Yorkshire, said: “Businesses have faced difficult times since the credit crunch and wider economic concerns have started to impact hiring plans in the region.

“As a business we’ve seen a drop in demand for permanent workers but an increase in temporary staff. This reflects the local business need for a more flexible workforce in this challenging business climate.”

Ms White added: “The recruitment situation is definitely tougher than it was last year. But with local companies still recruiting it is not all doom and gloom.

“We anticipate continued demand for workers in credit management and legal companies, as well as a high demand for administration, secretarial and customer services staff.

“In addition, redevelopment in our cities indicates that Yorkshire and Humberside remains an attractive destination for new businesses.”

Some 9% of London employers plan to recruit, against 1% planning cutbacks.

Bosses in the South-West and eastern England also anticipate hiring levels above the national average.

But 16% of North-East employers plan to axe jobs, as against 13% looking for more workers.

Employers in the utilities sector are the most optimistic about creating jobs following by manufacturing, transport and communications. Building firms are the least confident.