North England mid‑market hiring and soaring business confidence boost jobs for NEETs

Research by accountancy firm BDO LLP shows that 88% of North West mid‑market companies are planning to hire entry‑level staff in the next six months, with a third targeting roles that do not require a degree. The firms see the sector, which employs more than 1 million people in the region, as a key source of jobs for the over‑one‑million NEETs in the UK. However, higher employment costs and gaps in soft and technical skills threaten those recruitment plans. BDO’s regional managing partner Angela Cross said, “The mid‑market already plays an outsized role in UK employment… but rising employment costs and persistent skills shortages are putting their ambition under pressure.”

Meanwhile, Lloyds’ Business Barometer reported a sharp rise in confidence across the North of England in July. The North East hit a record 75% confidence level, up 21 points, while Yorkshire and the Humber climbed to 61%, and the North West moved above the national average at 49%. Regional Lloyds director Martyn Kendrick said, “It is fantastic to see North East business confidence reach such a high…”. Companies in these areas also intend to expand staff numbers over the coming year, reinforcing the region’s economic momentum.

Both reports highlight a growing optimism among northern firms and underscore the importance of the mid‑market in addressing youth unemployment, while calling for government incentives and training to ease hiring constraints.