UK permanent wage growth eases, hiring steadies-KPMG

LONDON, Oct 3 (Reuters) Wages growth for permanent staff in Britain fell to its slowest in more than a year in September but demand for workers steadied, a survey showed on Wednesday.

The KPMG/REC report on jobs showed the index gauging salaries for permanent staff fell to 61.1 from 61.5 in August -- a 13-month low. The slowdown came as demand for permanent staff steadied, with an index reading of 60.2 versus 60.1 in August.

There was a slightly more upbeat picture for temporary workers, with the wages index rising to 59.0 from 58.5. The index for temporary staff placements rose to 57.7 from 57.3.

KPMG said the recent financial market tumoil had not yet affected hiring.

''Surprisingly, there are no signs here of any impact from the credit crunch -- but then it is probably too early to look for any,'' said Alan Nolan of KPMG. ''The overall picture of a tight labour market remains.'' Reuters SBA VP0530