UK hiring on the rise as confidence lifts, research suggests

A survey of employers by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation found that firms had increased their hiring in January. Photograph: Geography Photos/Universal Images Group/Getty

Companies have ramped up hiring in recent weeks while consumer confidence has started to rise, research suggests, in a boost for Rachel Reeves as the government looks for signs of economic growth.

The chancellor has received a fillip after the market research company GfK’s consumer index improved from -22 in January to -20 in February as households said they were more optimistic about their personal finances and the economic outlook.