HAYS has become the latest recruitment firm to say economic conditions are picking up, as it reported it was seeing brisk business at its UK operation.

It said the UK delivered strong growth as fees - the money it makes from providing staff - rose 13 per cent in the first quarter to the end of September, aided by good performances from its senior finance and IT units.

The group, which employs more than 8,000 staff across 33 countries, grew nine per cent on a like-for-like basis and is now looking to hire more consultants.