In addition, the number of commuters, especially from Germany and Sweden, has fallen. On the positive side, there is a well-founded hope of spare capacity in the labour market to use when economic growth gains real momentum. Moreover, it is encouraging to see that the number of people on permanent benefits has not shown any significant increase.
There are indications that the supply of labour is now reacting more strongly than previously to economic developments. This is a positive feature in so far as it reflects greater flexibility in the labour market. It is important that the current cyclical reduction in the labour force does not lead to a rise in the number of people on benefit schemes.